World Cup final by the numbers: Shots, red cards and goalkeeper record

61: individual duels won by Spain

Quick: Was Spain or Argentina the more dominant physical side in this match? It's easy to fall into the trap of believing it was Argentina, simply because its frustrated fouls were more memorable than Spain's sly ones, but the truth is that Spain out-fought Argentina in this game just as much as it outplayed it.

The two teams shared a neat 120 physical duels in this match—one for every minute of soccer they played—and Spain won 61 to Argentina's 59. It was close, but twinkle-toed Spain was surprisingly efficient at taking Argentina down in one-on-one situations.

2: Red cards earned by Argentina

Everyone saw Argentina's first, and most impactful, red card get issued. Enzo Fernandez, already sitting on a yellow for dissent, cleared out Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi in the middle of the field and rightfully received his marching orders. But few saw what came next. After the final whistle had been blown, in the thick of Spain's joyous celebrations, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes started a brawl—and saw red in more ways than one. Referee Slavko Vincic sent him off, too.

Paredes's red card won't show up in the official game statistics because it came after the final whistle, but if we count it as the infraction it most certainly was, it sets some records. 

Argentina's two red cards in this final were the most received by any one team in World Cup final history. The two cards also tie the record for the most red cards in a single final match, set in 1990 by West Germany and, you guessed it, Argentina. Those teams had one player apiece sent off; Argentina managed its red card business all on its own in 2026.

16: Passes into the final third by Rodri

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball award after this match, and if you're wondering why he took it over, say, Kylian Mbappé or Lionel Messi, stats like this are the reason. He was the engine behind Spain's dominance in this game, and his 16 final third-breaking passes made up most of his team's offensive threat.

Rodri occupies a fascinating space in the global soccer ecosystem. He's undoubtedly one of the greatest players alive, and he's won every individual and team award he could want—this Golden Ball, a Ballon D'Or, a Champions League trophy and now a World Cup trophy too—but his lack of flash and goals keeps him underrated in the mind of the public. It was wonderful to see him have such an impactful night on such a grand stage.