Argentina 0-0 Spain at Half-Time: Yamal Creates Early Chance, Mac Allister's Tackle and Handball Escape Card, Lisandro Gets Yellow

On July 20th Beijing time, the highly anticipated World Cup final kicked off at the New Jersey Stadium in New York, with defending champions Argentina facing Spain. After the first half, the score was 0-0, and Argentina had zero shots on goal.

Spain fielded the same starting lineup for the third consecutive knockout match, while Argentina made three changes. Just five minutes into the game, Spain came close to scoring. Olmo set up Yamal, whose angled shot was saved.

Just a minute later, Argentina quickly responded. Messi launched a fast counterattack, but Unai Simón rushed out to deny the one-on-one chance.

In the 7th minute, after a Spanish one-two passing combination, Porro's forward run was delayed by Mac Allister, and then Argentina intercepted the ball. Spain protested the decision, but referee Vincic indicated it was not a foul.

In the 14th minute, Mac Allister slid in and fouled Olmo. Vincic called a foul but did not issue a card.

In the 16th minute, Baena knocked Messi from behind. The referee called a foul but also did not show a card, awarding Argentina a free kick.

In the 28th minute, Mac Allister handled the ball outside the box. Vincic called a foul but did not book him.

In the 29th minute, Tagliafico was beaten and then pulled and slid to bring down Yamal. Vincic still did not show a card.

In the 39th minute, Spain combined well, and Oyarzabal shot from the edge of the box, but Damián Martínez collected the ball.

In the 41st minute, Lisandro Martínez made a sliding tackle to break up Oyarzabal's counterattack, receiving the first yellow card of the match.

In the 43rd minute, Cucurella unleashed a high-quality low driven shot from distance, which went just wide of the post.

In the 44th minute, Lisandro Martínez was unable to continue due to injury and was replaced by veteran Otamendi.

In the 45th minute, Damián Martínez's precise long pass nearly created a one-on-one chance, but Unai Simón again rushed out to clear.

After four minutes of added time, the teams went into halftime with a 0-0 scoreline.

【Lineups】

Argentina Starting XI (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: 23-Damián Martínez

Defenders: 4-Montiel, 6-Romero, 13-Lisandro Martínez, 3-Tagliafico

Midfielders: 20-Mac Allister, 24-Enzo, 7-De Paul, 15-Nicolás González

Forwards: 10-Messi, 9-Álvarez

Substitutes: 1-Musso, 2-Senesi, 5-Paredes, 8-Barco, 11-Lo Celso, 12-Rulli, 14-Palacios, 16-Almada, 17-Giuliano Simeone, 18-Nico Paz, 19-Otamendi, 21-José López, 22-Lautaro, 25-Medina, 26-Molina

Spain Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: 23-Unai Simón

Defenders: 12-Porro, 22-Cubarsí, 14-Laporte, 24-Cucurella

Defensive Midfielders: 16-Rodri, 8-Fabián Ruiz

Midfielders: 19-Yamal, 10-Olmo, 15-Baena

Forward: 21-Oyarzabal

Substitutes: 1-Raya, 2-Pubill, 3-Grimaldo, 4-García, 5-Llorente, 6-Merino, 7-Ferrán Torres, 9-Gavi, 11-Pino, 13-Joan García, 17-Nico Williams, 18-Zubimendi, 20-Pedri, 25-Muñoz, 26-Iglesias

Referee: Vincic (Slovenia) VAR: Dankert (Germany)