Spain were unable to break down a resilient, and eventually ten-man, Argentina during normal time in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, with the match goalless after 90 minutes and heading to extra time following a stoppage-time red card for Enzo Fernandez.
Kickoff came six minutes later than scheduled. Spain lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Unai Simon in goal behind Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz and Rodri anchoring midfield, and Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena supporting Mikel Oyarzabal. Argentina set up in a 4-4-2, with Emiliano Martinez behind Nahuel Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Gonzalez in midfield, and Lionel Messi partnering Julian Alvarez.
Spain created the first real chance inside five minutes, Olmo releasing Yamal, only for Emiliano Martinez to block well. Argentina responded with a rare break, Unai Simon racing off his line to deny Messi a clear run at goal. Yamal was involved again moments later, reaching the byline and squaring for a chance Argentina’s defence scrambled clear.
Spain dominated possession throughout the first half, holding around 64 percent of the ball, though clear chances remained scarce. The half’s key moment came in the 41st minute, when Lisandro Martinez was booked for a reckless challenge on Oyarzabal, before being withdrawn through injury three minutes later, replaced by Nicolas Otamendi. Spain also had appeals for a second yellow card on Mac Allister waved away after a heavy challenge on Olmo. Messi touched the ball only sparingly, and Alvarez managed just seven touches in the opening 40 minutes, as the sides went in level at the break, before a half-time show featuring Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS delayed the restart by around 30 minutes.
Spain continued to press after the interval, with Leandro Paredes introduced by Lionel Scaloni to shore up Argentina’s midfield. De Paul lost possession early in the second half to allow Alex Baena a deflected effort, comfortably saved by Emiliano Martinez, who remained a key figure as Spain built pressure. Ferran Torres and Pedri were introduced just past the hour mark, with Torres soon denied by a strong low save, before Yamal’s byline cross found Torres unmarked, only for his header to go straight at Martinez.
Argentina’s injury problems deepened as the half wore on. Cristian Romero was forced off for Facundo Medina, leaving Tagliafico to see out the remainder of the match, while Argentina used all five of their substitutions inside 72 minutes without registering a single shot on goal, setting a new record for the longest a team has gone without an effort at a World Cup final since 1966. Nico Williams and Mikel Merino were introduced by Luis de la Fuente in search of a breakthrough, with Pau Cubarsi and Pedri both denied by fine saves from Emiliano Martinez as Spain continued to dominate territory without finding a way through.
The match burst into life in stoppage time. Yamal was preparing a late free kick when Fernandez, already carrying a first yellow card for reckless play, caught Cubarsi late and in full flight, earning a second booking and a straight red card in the 90th plus third minute. Argentina held on to see out the remainder of stoppage time with ten men, Yamal’s resulting free kick well saved by Emiliano Martinez, before referee Slavko Vincic brought normal time to a close.
Spain finished the 90 minutes with 12 attempts on goal to Argentina’s none, while holding the majority of possession and territory throughout, but were unable to turn that dominance into a goal. The result means the World Cup final has now gone to extra time in five of the last six editions, with Spain facing an Argentina side reduced to ten men as the match resumes for two further 15-minute periods.
