Spain and defending champions Argentina are level in a cagey 2026 World Cup final.
The Athletic Live Team
Spain 0-0 Argentina
Spain and Argentina are level in the first half of the 2026 World Cup final.
Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi have traded early chances at MetLife Stadium, where US President Donald Trump is among those in attendance.
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Martinez keeps out Oyarzabal strike
39’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
Brief handball shouts from Spain but Alvarez’s arm is tucked in and the appeals don’t gain much traction.
Spain really building up a head of steam now: 64 per cent possession and 37 per cent of the game being played in Argentina’s defensive third. It’s relentless, and the defending champions simply aren’t getting out of the choke hold.
More space again for Spain, as Oyarzabal fires low from outside the penalty area. Martinez is down well and holds on to the shot.
Chances few and far between
Combined, both sides have produced an xG of 0.10 so far. And Spain are responsible for all of that.
The heat isn’t an excuse!
How warm does it feel on the field? Well, we have sunny skies with temperatures near 80F (27C) for the rest of the match.
A number of matches this tournament dealt with hot temperatures and high humidity, but low humidity levels will keep things comfortable for the players today.
The actual temperature and the feels-like temperature will be the same this afternoon.
Leaving the door ajar
Spain yet to have a really clear chance but they will be happy. Almost complete control of possession and territory. Argentina not got the ball near Simon’s penalty area yet.
Biggest worry for La Roja so far has been the lenient refereeing by Slavko Vincic. Most people in Spain don’t buy the conspiracy theories about referees and Argentina, but those who do are talking a lot on X already.
Keeping Spain in check
33’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
Nice work on the left from Alex Baena, but the cross isn’t great, is easily cleared, and it may be that Argentina will be comfortable dealing with Spain’s attacking threat coming from places like that.
In truth, other than that early chance for Lamine Yamal — which was incredibly good — the Spanish haven’t created much.
Argentina will hope they can start offering some threat of their own as the game progresses, although no one has really managed to do that against Spain at this World Cup yet.
Lionel Messi is waving for his team-mates to push up. A long diagonal into the Spanish half has gone out for a throw-in. Argentina are kicking for touch and territory like the Pumas playing rugby union.
The extent to which Rodri is back is actually great. It’s nice to see him looking like his old self after his injury issues.
Tagliafico avoids yellow for Yamal foul
29’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
We are back in action, and Lamine Yamal is back running — turning Nicolas Tagliafico, who has to haul him down.
Still no yellow cards. That looked a pretty clear one to me. Argentina may well work with that freedom as the final wears on. If it continues.
Missing attention
The celeb spot camera operator seems to have as bad timing as Alexis Mac Allister. With all eyes on the melee that followed the Argentina midfielder’s heavy challenge on Dani Olmo, few noticed the big screens showing Jalen Brunson in the crowd.
Normally here at MetLife, the sight of the New York Knicks hero would produce enormous cheers — but this time there was barely a murmur.
Blame Alexis, Jalen!
Messi quiet so far
Best way to stop Lionel Messi?
It has always been not allowing the ball to get to him.
We’re seeing one of the Spain midfielders dropping between the centre-backs a lot. At times it’s been Rodri and, on other occasions, Fabian Ruiz.
They want to pull their defenders wider to stretch Argentina and open up routes through the middle or down the sides — an example of one such pass into No 10 Dani Olmo, just before the break, broke down.
They have had 63 per cent possession so far, and it’s logical that they continue to dominate the ball.
Time for a drink
25’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
And here it is! At least the sun means the drinks are needed. Even if this final is yet to catch light.
But hasn’t ever felt far from doing so.
24’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
Just a few signs Argentina are starting to redress the balance in midfield and they see a little more of the ball, but they are slim gains and Spain have a second corner of the final here after good work from Marc Cucurella.
Martinez claims it — and I’m sure we’re now all thinking about the impending drinks break.
Ref’s view on Mac Allister challenge
It should have been a clear yellow card for reckless play. Alexis Mac Allister went in too fast, then caught Dani Olmo with his front foot and second leg.
I’m surprised because the fourth official has the perfect view, so should have been able to advise referee Slavko Vincic accordingly.
Porro on point
Biggest surprise performer for Spain in this tournament has to be Pedro Porro. Coming off awkward club season at Tottenham, and far from guaranteed to start games here.
But he has been excellent, again with covering on Nico Gonzalez just there.
A significant adjustment
Other than that Mac Allister foul, Argentina have been noticeably less aggressive than they were against England. Maybe they’re not so convinced they can get in Spain’s heads by roughing them up.
Messi getting involved! A little.
17’ Spain 0-0 Argentina
Lionel Messi took kick-off. He now has his second touch of the World Cup final! It comes with a foul from Alex Baena, but De Paul’s delivery into the box doesn’t find a team-mate and that brief flirtation with danger soon passes.
One counter apart, then defending champions have offered very little so far in attack.
Spain’s style feels like the equivalent of a local anaesthetic that numbs the chaos that Argentina bring to big games.
The early stages have felt rather like that, with the Argentines largely being passed around. But Spain have not yet shown much in the final third.
Argentina have not convinced me all tournament when they try to be aggressive and press in the opposition half. Messi bemoaned how stretched they were vs Cape Verde and how easy it was to break lines against them.
On the couple of occasions here when they have tried to jump, it’s not been hugely well co-ordinated, and Spain look comfortable to take extra touches and play round — they just need to not rush those diagonal passes to the wingers too early.
