Spain enjoyed 65% possession and out-passed Argentina 348 to 196. They completed 313 accurate passes to Argentina’s 155 and entered the final third 34 times to 18. The territorial edge was clear in the final third phase numbers too, where Spain were 61 of 80 actions for 76%, compared to Argentina’s 8 of 23 for 35%. It translated into a 3-0 shot count, two on target for Spain, and a 0.23 xG to 0.00.

Touches in the box were 7-0 to Spain, a tidy snapshot of where the game was played. Cross accuracy was the only flat note, just 1 of 10 for Spain, which blunted several promising moves. Long balls landed better for Spain as well, 10 of 23 compared to Argentina’s 7 of 27. When Spain lost it, they counter-pressed quickly and collected 22 recoveries, matching Argentina’s 22.

Argentina sit compact and trust Emi

Argentina’s structure kept Spain mostly to low-value looks, and Emiliano Martínez did the rest. He made two saves, including one big save, and posted 0.46 goals prevented. His distribution was calm enough under pressure, completing 15 of 21 passes, with seven recoveries logged. That platform kept the holders in the contest despite the flow against them.

The back line fought hard in the air, winning 4 of 6 aerial duels while Spain won 2 of 6. Cristian Romero completed 27 of 29 passes, added a tackle and two recoveries, and read danger well. Nicolás Tagliafico led the edge battles with four duels won, three fouls committed and one drawn. Gonzalo Montiel contributed two clearances and one interception on the right, helping compress Spain’s wide lanes.

Midfield patterns: Rodri dictates

Spain’s engine room hummed through Rodri, who led the half with a Sofascore Rating of 7.3. He completed 50 of 52 passes, won 5 duels, and went 2 of 2 on tackles, the definition of control. Fabián Ruiz added two key passes and went 38 of 42, constantly connecting the inside channels. Dani Olmo won five duels, completed 15 of 17 passes, and chipped in a key pass and a clean defensive shift.

Behind them, Pau Cubarsí was near perfect on the ball, 58 of 59 passes with three clearances and a 7.0 Sofascore Rating. Aymeric Laporte carried assertively, logging over 170 meters in carries and 47 of 51 completed passes. Spain’s structure, a 4-2-3-1, kept second balls close and the rhythm steady. The missing piece was the final delivery, with crosses at 10% accuracy limiting clear chances.

Threat level and xG

Spain created the half’s best moments through quick combinations, but the numbers say they were half-chances. The xG sat at 0.23 to 0.00, a fair reflection of Spain’s control without a premium look. Lamine Yamal’s shot on target carried 0.1003 xG and 0.2681 xGOT, the liveliest attempt of the half. Mikel Oyarzabal’s effort checked in at 0.0997 xG and 0.1927 xGOT, forcing Martínez into action again.

Marc Cucurella’s swing from the left registered 0.0292 xG and drifted off target. Spain had two offsides to Argentina’s one, a sign of a high line tested and the timing still warming up. Dribbles were tidy on both sides, Spain 7 of 11 and Argentina 4 of 6. Dispossessions were close too, 4 for Spain and 5 for Argentina, which speaks to compact spacing rather than risky carries.

Injuries, cards and tactical tweaks

The card and injury ledger tilted toward Argentina late in the half. Lisandro Martínez saw yellow for a foul in the 41st minute, then had to exit injured at 44 minutes. Nicolás Otamendi replaced him, a like-for-like change that still shifts the profile of the back line. The immediate impact was minimal, yet Spain quickly probed with early balls to test the new pairing.

Set pieces were almost balanced, Spain took two corners to none for Argentina, and free kicks stood 9 to 7 for La Roja. Throw-ins were level at 9 each, which tells you how often play stalled on the flanks. Tackles and interceptions were narrowly in Argentina’s favor, 8 to 7 and 5 to 4, highlighting their compact mid-block. Clearances went 5 to 4 for Spain, mostly sweeping away longer outlets aimed at Julián Álvarez.

Who stood out, by the numbers

Rodri’s all-court half led Spain in control and clarity. His passing volume and tackle wins underlined Spain’s platform. Cubarsí’s spotless distribution was a bonus, while Olmo’s work rate and duels gave Spain bite between the lines. Lamine Yamal showed flashes, with one shot on target and 10 completed passes in the attacking half.

For Argentina, Emiliano Martínez was the standout with a 7.3 Sofascore Rating, combining shot-stopping and steady hands under traffic. Lionel Messi completed 9 of 9 passes, won 4 duels, drew 3 fouls, and carried the ball with purpose, a quiet but efficient half. Romero’s clean sheet of errors and high pass completion steadied the right channel. Enzo Fernández put up 26 of 30 passes and a tackle won, keeping Argentina’s midfield connected when they did break lines.