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· Argentina recorded only 1 shot in 90 minutes during the World Cup final.
· Spain had 67% possession and 12 shots but failed to score within 90 minutes.
· Ultimately, Spain won 1-0 to become World Cup champions.

· Argentina attempted a man-to-man press high up the pitch with a 4-4-2 formation to disrupt Spain's build-up.
· The danger of this press was Spain's Olmo exploiting the space between the lines.
· Argentina's center-backs pushed into the half-spaces to mark Olmo, but this risked exposing their own defensive depth.
· However, Argentina's press was effective as Spain's Yamal or Oyarzabal didn't actively exploit this space.

· As Oyarzabal dropped deeper, it became riskier for Argentina's center-backs to advance for the press.
· Rodri dropped into the defensive line to create numerical superiority or draw out Argentine midfielders, weakening the press.
· When Olmo dropped deep, Argentina's center-backs felt less pressure to advance, and González took on a hybrid pressing role.
· However, as González struggled to cover a wide area, space opened up for Pedro Porro.

· Argentina abandoned the press and switched to a 4-4-2 mid-block.
· Messi played a minimal defensive role, and Laporte became key in build-up.
· Laporte advanced past Messi, drawing out two defenders and creating space.
· Spain primarily attacked down the left flank, with LUIS, Baena, and Cucurella forming a wide attacking trio.
· Argentina's De Paul and Montiel effectively contained Cucurella's overlapping runs.

· Spain attacked down the left but, due to their slow tempo, couldn't effectively exploit Argentina's defensive transitions.
· Spain tried to create space by moving the ball wide, but Argentina's well-organized defense thwarted them.
· When Cucurella and Baena advanced, LUIS dropped deep to exploit space, but Argentina's midfielders protected the central areas, preventing this.

· Laporte played a free role, actively participating in build-up.
· He drew out Argentine defenders or midfielders to create space and link up with teammates.
· Spain spread out with five players, including Rodri, to progress the attack.
· When defenders pressed Laporte, he exploited the space to make passes.

· Spain's central attacking progression was inefficient.
· Olmo was fixed in the right half-space, making him easily targeted by center-backs.
· On the right, Porro, Yamal, and Olmo formed a triangle, attempting rotational play.
· Yamal drew out center-backs, and Olmo exploited the space, but there was a lack of third-man runs.
· Despite significant possession, Spain couldn't create decisive chances due to Argentina's central defense and organized movement.

· Spain demonstrated effective pressing even when without the ball.
· Argentina's attack was asymmetrical, often lacking a right winger, allowing De Paul to play as a central midfielder.
· Spain formed man-to-man matchups in midfield with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
· Spain was not passive defensively and aimed to win the ball back quickly.
· Spain's press was effective because Oyarzabal led the press, controlling the direction of Argentina's build-up.

· When the press was ineffective, Olmo prematurely pressed a center-back before Oyarzabal's signal.
· This opened up space for the Argentine center-back to move wide and progress with the ball.
· However, in most instances, Spain employed an effective first-man pressing approach.

· Spain became World Cup champions, but Argentina's passive approach was surprising.
· This final was less dynamic than Argentina's previous final.
· To improve your tactical analysis skills, check out the 'Football Fundamentals' program.