Forty-five minutes gone at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The score is 0–0, and the chess match that Lionel Scaloni promised has arrived exactly as advertised. Spain have controlled the ball, probed patiently, and created the better chances. Argentina have barely touched the ball in the attacking third — zero attempts on goal across the entire first half — and yet they go into the break with the scoreline exactly where they want it. The Final is perfectly poised.
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Spain’s Dominance Without the Goal
Luis de la Fuente’s side have done what they have done all tournament — held the ball, moved it quickly through the thirds, and created discomfort through movement rather than individual brilliance. Rodri has been excellent in the first half, breaking up the rare Argentina probe and instantly recycling possession to keep Spain’s structure intact. Fabián Ruiz has carried the ball forward with purpose on multiple occasions, drawing Argentina’s midfield block into positions it did not want to be in.
The problem has been the final third. Argentina’s defensive block — led superbly by Cristian Romero and, until the 43rd minute, Lisandro Martínez — has been compact and aggressive, leaving Spain’s attackers minimal space to operate in. Oyarzabal has found it particularly difficult to find pockets between the lines. The width has come from Porro and Cucurella overlapping, but Argentina have tucked in and shown little intention of being stretched wide.
5′ — Yamal Announces Himself
The match’s first real moment of quality came in the fifth minute. Dani Olmo slipped a quick pass out to Lamine Yamal on the right wing with Yamal already in motion. What followed was a reminder of why Argentina spent the week before the Final discussing how to deal with him — Yamal cut inside, drew multiple Argentinian defenders into a collapsing cluster, and then fired Spain’s first dangerous effort at goal before any of them could close him down. The shot did not trouble Emiliano Martínez, but the intent was clear. Yamal is here. He will not be quiet.
38′ — Martínez Denies Oyarzabal
The best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute. Spain worked the ball patiently into a dangerous position through a series of short combinations in the final third. Oyarzabal received the ball at the edge of the box, turned his marker, and drove a low strike towards the bottom right corner. Emiliano Martínez — the man who has won the Golden Glove before, the man Argentina trust in exactly these moments — got down quickly and produced a brilliant save. Clean sheet intact. Argentina breathing.
41′ & 43′ — Lisandro’s Double Blow
Argentina’s most significant first-half moment had nothing to do with attacking football. In the 41st minute, Lisandro Martínez — who has been Argentina’s most commanding centre-back throughout this tournament — was booked for a heavy challenge on a surging Spanish attacker. The yellow card was justified. The timing was terrible.
Then, two minutes later, the injury. Martínez, who had picked up a knock in making the challenge, was unable to continue. He walked off shaking his head, and Scaloni sent on Nicolás Otamendi in his place just before the half-time whistle. Otamendi is experienced — a warrior of a defender with more than a hundred caps — but he is also 38 years old and has not been Argentina’s first-choice starter in the knockout rounds for a reason. He is now on the pitch in a World Cup Final, against Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, with forty-five minutes left to play.
This is the half’s most consequential moment. Not a goal — an enforced substitution. Argentina’s defensive partnership has changed. Spain, watching from the other technical area, will know it.
Half-Time Verdict
Spain are the better team through the first forty-five minutes, but they have not been able to translate that control into a goal. Argentina have defended with discipline and sacrifice, giving up possession willingly and banking on their defensive structure to keep Spain at arm’s length. Zero attempts.
The injury to Lisandro Martínez complicates Scaloni’s setup. Otamendi’s introduction changes Argentina’s defensive dynamic and may encourage De la Fuente to test that side more aggressively in the second half, sending Yamal directly at Argentina’s new right-sided pairing. Meanwhile Messi, who has been quiet — deliberately, almost — will know that the game is being held in reserve for him. He has not touched the ball in Argentina’s attacking third yet. That will not last.
0–0. Forty-five minutes left. The trophy is still anyone’s. The second half of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final starts now.
Stay with ZEE 5 for the second half — the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final continues live in India, 12:30 AM IST, July 20.
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