Spain were the better side, but not yet the more dangerous side. They had more of the ball and dictated the rhythm, with Rodri giving them control and Cucurella providing relentless width and energy on the left.
But Argentina defended the central spaces very well and made Spain’s possession feel slightly sterile at times. The loss of Lisandro Martínez was a significant moment because it disrupted Argentina’s defensive structure, yet they still managed to keep Spain from creating a truly clear-cut chance.
The fascinating thing is that Spain looked like the team playing the better football, while Argentina looked like the team more comfortable with the tension of a final.
At 0-0, the second half feels like a test of whether Spain can turn their territorial dominance into penetration, because Argentina will only need one transition, one Messi pass or one moment of individual brilliance to change the entire game.
