Spain are taking on Argentina in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (July 19). Neither side managed to score in the first half, with the teams going into
the break locked at 0-0.
Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Despite the lack of goals, Spain captain Rodri made his presence felt by completing 50 passes in the opening 45 minutes. By doing so, the Spanish midfielder took his tally of completed passes in FIFA World Cup history to 1,343.
According to Opta Stats, Rodri now holds the record for the most completed passes in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing former Brazil captain Dunga, who completed 1,306 passes during his World Cup career.
1 – Rodri Hernández 🇪🇸 ha completado 50 pases en la primera parte de la final de la @fifaworldcup_es ante #Argentina.
Ha superado a Dunga (1306) como el jugador con más pases completados en el #Mundial (1343 – datos desde 1966).
Jerarca. pic.twitter.com/OgAfmYEchp
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 19, 2026
Rodri has completed a total of 698* passes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the highest tally ever recorded by a player in a single edition of the tournament. In doing so, the 30-year-old broke his own record of 638 completed passes, which he set at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The previous single-edition record before Rodri’s achievements belonged to another Spain midfielder, Xavi, who completed 599 passes during Spain’s triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign. Rodri’s closest challengers for completed passes at the ongoing tournament are his Spain teammates Pau Cubarsí (547) and Aymeric Laporte (533).
Lamine Yamal third youngest to feature in FIFA World Cup final
Lamine Yamal is playing for Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina on Sunday. By featuring in Spain’s starting XI for the summit clash, Yamal has entered his name in the record books.
The Spanish teenager has become the third-youngest player in history to play in a FIFA World Cup final.
The record for being the youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final is held by Pele. The Brazilian legend was just 17 years and 249 days old when he represented Brazil in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final against Sweden.
Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi is second on the list. He was 18 years and 201 days old when he played in the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup against West Germany. Yamal is 19 years and six days old on Sunday.
Apart from Yamal, Pau Cubarsi is also part of Spain’s playing XI for the final against Argentina. The Barcelona defender is 19 years and 178 days old on July 19, 2026, making him the fourth-youngest player in history to play in a FIFA World Cup final.
France captain Kylian Mbappe occupies fifth place on the list. Mbappe was 19 years and 207 days old when he featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final against Croatia.
