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Argentina's game plan clear in World Cup final first half 🥊
Jul 19 2026 20:51 · By onefootball.com · 181 Reads
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Richard Buxton
·
19 July 2026
The 2026
World Cup
final between
Spain
and
Argentina
hasn't been a classic so far.
A cagey first half between the reigning world and European champions was low on entertainment and meaningful action despite the latter enjoying more chances.
Lionel Scaloni's side, meanwhile, are taking a near-identical approach to their late semi-final win over England by going for a robust tactic against
La Roja
.
Nowhere was that more evident than the Albiceleste committing more fouls in the opening 45 minutes than they had completed passes in the final third of the pitch.
–
Sunday, 19 July 2026
It was a slightly more productive opening half for
Lionel Messi
with the
captain enjoying a greater involvement on proceedings than in previous finals.
Will the evergreen genius be able to swing things for his country?
📸 ANGELA WEISS - AFP or licensors
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