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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.
WORLD CUP FINAL HQ: Live Spain vs. Argentina score | Halftime show updates | Player ratings
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.
Lowest-scoring World Cup finals
Winning Team (Score)
1994: Brazil 0, Italy 0 (Brazil wins 3-2 on penalties)
Neither Brazil nor Italy was able to light the lamp in their duel in 1994. The Italians' defense was resolute throughout the tourney, spearheaded by the famed center-back pairing of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.
Selecao's attack proved the livelier of the two outfits as action wore on; Golden Ball winner Romario missed the target deep in extra time, sending the match to penalties — the first time a World Cup final would be decided through the shootout.
It wasn't a classic affair for either side from the spot. However, Brazil had enough mettle to hoist the crown. Roberto Baggio blazed his penalty over the bar, sending the canary-clad Brazilians into raptures.
2010: Spain 1, Netherlands 0 (F/ET)
Spain got all it could handle in the form of the Dutch, a physically imposing side that had shown off scoring flair in almost all of their World Cup contests.
Iker Casillas and Maarten Stekelenburg performed admirably throughout the game, with the former denying Arjen Robben twice and the latter denying Sergio Ramos from point-blank range. The Dutch saw their numbers reduced deep into extra time when John Heitinga was assessed a second yellow card for a late challenge.
Netherlands huffed and puffed, keeping the scoreless scoreline intact until the 117th minute. That's when Andres Iniesta broke Dutch hearts with a lively strike into the bottom left corner, sending La Roja into a frenzy.
2014: Germany 1, Argentina 0 (F/ET)
Lionel Messi's first World Cup final ended in heartbreak, with the Argentines falling to a resplendent German side in the Maracana. Both sides had flaunted their goal-scoring exploits in the lead-up to the final; Messi tallied a team-high four goals for La Albiceleste, albeit all four in the group stage.
Germany, meanwhile, laid a seven-spot on Brazil in the semis. Neither side was able to get on the scoresheet in regulation, with Sergio Romero and Manuel Neuer proving equal to any test that descended upon their cage. Things were cagey in extra time until Gotze latched onto a cross from Andre Schurrle, controlled the effort with his chest and lashed a half-volley into the corner of the net.
David Suggs
David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.
Source: Sporting News
