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Spain’s relentless control of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals forced Argentina into the record books for all the wrong reasons, with Lionel Messi’s side failing to register a single goal in the opening 45 minutes of Sunday’s title clash.It remained 0-0 at half-time at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, but the statistics painted a picture of complete Spanish dominance. According to Opti, the first half produced just three total shots between the two teams — the fewest ever recorded in the first half of a FIFA World Cup final since detailed records began in 1966.Even more amazingly, Argentina failed to have a single attempt on goal before the break, marking the first time since 1966 that La Albiceleste have failed to register a shot in the first half of any World Cup game.The stunning numbers highlighted Spain’s tactical superiority, although they were unable to find a breakthrough before half-time.
Spain dominates possession, but it doesn’t count
As throughout the tournament, Spain dictated the tempo with their signature possession-based football.The European champions completed roughly twice as many passes as Argentina in the first half, keeping Lionel Scaloni’s men pinned down for long periods and denying Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez any meaningful attacking opportunities.Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and all three shots in the first period, Spain could not break through Argentina’s resolute defence, leaving the contest goalless at the interval.Argentina were also forced into an unplanned change late in the first half when Lisandro Martinez appeared to suffer an injury and was replaced by veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Another goalless first half in World Cup finals history
The stalemate added another chapter to the history of the World Cup.It was the ninth World Cup final in which there were no goals at halftime, joining the previous finals in 1934, 1950, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014.Defending champions Argentina entered the final chasing a fourth World Cup crown and hoping to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their title.Spain, meanwhile, were bidding to win their second World Cup after triumphing in South Africa in 2010 and becoming the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles at the same time.The final brought down the curtain on the biggest World Cup in history. The expanded 48-team tournament featured a record 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico and produced more than 300 goals before the final.
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