2026 World Cup finals: Spain drag Argentina into unwanted history as Messi’s side miss first-half shot

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball during the World Cup final. (AP photo) Spain’s relentless control of the 2026 World Cup final forced Argentina into the record books for all the wrong reasons as Lionel Messi’s side failed to register a single shot in the opening 45 minutes of Sunday’s title clash.The score remained 0-0 at half-time at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, but the stats painted a picture of complete Spanish dominance. According to Opta, the first half produced a total of just three shots between the two teams – the fewest ever in the opening half of a FIFA World Cup final since detailed records began in 1966.More notably, Argentina failed to manage a single attempt on goal before the break, marking the first time since 1966 that La Albiceleste had failed to register a shot in the first half of any World Cup match.The stunning numbers highlighted Spain’s tactical superiority, although they were unable to find a breakthrough by half-time.

Spain dominates possession but can’t get it going

As throughout the tournament, Spain dictated the tempo through their trademark possession football.The European champions completed around twice as many passes as Argentina in the first half, keeping Lionel Scaloni’s men on the back foot for long periods and denying Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez any meaningful opportunities in attack.Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and all three goal attempts in the opening period, Spain were unable to break down Argentina’s resolute defense and the game remained goalless at the break.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 to be goalless at half-time, joining previous finals in 1934, 1950, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014.Defending champions Argentina entered the finals seeking a fourth World Cup crown and hoping to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their title.Spain, meanwhile, were seeking a second World Cup after their triumph in South Africa in 2010, becoming the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time.The final also 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.