The 2026 World Cup final may have been a sleepy, scrappy affair to many. But on paper, it made its mark in the history books for a plethora of reasons, including holding a half-time show for the first time in tournament history.

Here are other milestones reached during the final on July 19.

1. Clash of continental champions

It was the first World Cup final that pit the reigning South American and European champions against each other, while also the first in which the world’s two top-ranked nations faced each other in football’s most important game.

Argentina, FIFA’s top-ranked side, lifted the Copa America for a record 16th time in 2024 while second-ranked Spain won Euro 2024.

2. One-sided affair

It was a one-sided game, with captain and talisman Lionel Messi largely anonymous and the defending champions became the first side to fail to register a single shot on goal in a World Cup final.

The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, meaning the US, hosting football’s showpiece for the second time, still has not seen a goal in a World Cup final after the 1994 showpiece in California also ended goal-less between Brazil and Italy before the Italians’ penalty shoot-out victory.

Spain ended the final with a whopping 20 shots, 11 of those on target, to Argentina’s three meek attempts – none of which were on target.

3. Star power shines during first half-time show