Spain vs Argentina was still 0-0 at 45', but the most unusual moment of the night came before the second half even restarted. La Spagna had to wait through a maxi intervallo of more than 27'20" before getting the game back underway.
The delay changed the rhythm of a match that was already being framed by La Spagna's control. Even with the score level at halftime, the flow had clearly favored La Spagna, and the long pause only added another layer of disruption before the second 45 minutes began.
What changed during the match
De la Fuente used his substitutions on Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Nico Williams and Merino. On the Argentina side, Scaloni made changes involving Romero, De Paul, Medina, Simeone and Montiel.
The source notes that the heat improved slightly and a wind picked up during a hydration break, but the bigger late-match detail was on the Argentina bench. Scaloni had already exhausted his substitution slots, which meant Lautaro could only become available in extra time if the match required it.
That matters because the final stages of a tight game are often about fresh legs and one last tactical adjustment. In this case, Spain vs Argentina was not only about the scoreline at 45', but also about how the long interruption and the completed changes shaped what each coach could still do next.
