As the first half of the World Cup final dragged on, a troubling question emerged: would the halftime entertainment outshine the lackluster football? Argentina struggled to keep pace with Spain’s possession game, although they attempted to level the playing field through physicality. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s strategy aimed to disrupt the flow before seizing control in the second half, and referee Slavko Vincic allowed them to push the limits. An early foul by Alexis Mac Allister on Dani Olmo could have led to a booking, and the looseness of officiating, combined with a pitch not suited for fluid play, enabled Argentina to hinder Spain’s passing rhythm, resulting in one of the less exciting finals in World Cup history.
Spain, however, displayed admirable composure amidst Argentina’s tactics to frustrate. The European champions clinched their second World Cup title, demonstrating patience as they navigated the sporadic disruptions and persistent fouls inflicted by Argentina. Struggling to advance, Argentina found it challenging to build from the back, particularly on the left side, where Spain’s pressing effectively stifled their efforts. Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister were outmatched in midfield, prompting Scaloni to make a change at halftime; Nico González was replaced by Leandro Paredes to bolster stability. Unfortunately for Argentina, the substitution failed to alter their fortunes. Paredes received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Rodri and narrowly escaped a second booking before the final whistle. Ultimately, Argentina’s own tactics backfired, culminating in Fernández receiving a second yellow card late in regulation, potentially jeopardizing his prospects of a move to Real Madrid.
This Argentina team, marked by age and fatigue after two extra-time matches, faced further challenges as they lost both starting center-backs to injuries. Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero’s departures eliminated crucial ball-handling options. Their heavy reliance on Lionel Messi also proved detrimental; Spain effectively cut off his supply, leaving him unable to find space or shake off defenders. Unlike the semi-final against England, where crosses created opportunities, Messi struggled to hold the ball and was a mere spectator. Some argued that Scaloni should have substituted Messi following Fernández’s dismissal, but instead, he removed Julián Álvarez, who could have posed a greater threat to Spain with his ability to exploit open spaces.
Álvarez’s exit marked a shift as Scaloni opted for a back five with Marcos Senesi’s introduction. The statistics were telling; Argentina’s expected goals (xG) was a shocking 0.00 until the need for a desperate late push arose. Even then, their threat only marginally increased to 0.22. It wasn’t until the 117th minute that the defending champions managed their first shot, a long-range attempt from Messi that deflected wide. Spain’s solid defensive organization remained unshaken. Argentina managed a mere 34.9% possession and recorded only six touches in the Spanish penalty area. The second half saw Spain dominate, firing 20 shots to Argentina’s two, though poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping left the match hanging in the balance. Emi Martínez made an impressive 12 saves, the most ever by a goalkeeper in a World Cup final, including a remarkable leap to deflect a free kick from Lamine Yamal. Yet, all of this was ultimately in vain.
From both moral and tactical standpoints, Spain emerged as deserving victors. They executed their game plan effectively, showcasing their big-match mentality against Argentina’s disruptive approach. Rodri excelled as the defensive midfielder before being substituted for Martín Zubimendi in extra time, effectively neutralizing Fernández. Coach Luis de la Fuente made strategic substitutions, notably bringing in Pedri, who proved incisive after replacing Fabián Ruiz. Argentina attempted to contain Lamine Yamal by assigning Nicolás Tagliafico to mark him on the right wing, but De la Fuente’s decision to introduce Nico Williams for Álex Baena on the opposite side added pace to Spain’s attack. This tactical flexibility increased pressure on Argentina, and Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute, should have scored at least once. Eventually, Spain found the net when Pedro Porro delivered a deep cross from the right, allowing Williams to outpace Nahuel Molina and set up Ferran Torres for the goal.
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