Lowest-scoring World Cup finals: Where Spain-Argentina defensive stalemate would rank in FIFA history

ASFN Admin · Jul 19, 2026

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Lowest-scoring World Cup finals: Where Spain-Argentina defensive stalemate would rank in FIFA history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

World Cup finals have proven a prolific showcase in recent years, with the 2018 and 2022 iterations of the competition featuring six goals apiece.

Still, such outbursts are not necessarily the norm in World Cup competition. Conventional wisdom would suggest the World Cup final is a cagey affair filled with strong tackles, stout goalkeeping and a paucity of goals.

So, just what is the lowest-scoring World Cup final? And how does that goal tally compare to that of Spain and Argentina's 2026 matchup? Here's what you need to know.

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What is the lowest-scoring World Cup final?

The fewest goals scored in a World Cup final is zero. Brazil and Italy failed to record a tally in their 1994 World Cup final tilt, going to penalties after the scoreless draw. Selecao hoisted the title after triumphing in the penalty shootout, giving the Brazilians their fourth-ever World Cup win.

Two World Cup finals have finished with 1-0 scorelines. In 2010, Spain bested the Netherlands by a single goal in extra time. Germany repeated the feat four years later, tallying a 1-0 win over Argentina courtesy of a late Mario Gotze strike.