England's big chances and France's carries highlight key strengths among the eight World Cup quarter-finalists, according to Opta data. France are the favourites to reach the last four, followed by Spain, Argentina and England.
France: Carries ending with shots
France lead in carries ending with shots, registering 33 such runs. Opta measures ball carries of at least five metres, noting whether the run ended with a shot or chance created. Nine players have at least four of both types of productive carry, including Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola is one carry-powered chance-creating pass away from joining them.
Morocco: Sprint intensity
Morocco have logged the most sprints among the remaining teams, with 0.75 sprints per kilometre covered. They have played an extra half-hour compared with some sides, but dividing sprint totals by distance covered shows they have run most intensely. Playing two matches in air-conditioned stadiums may have helped, but they should have the physicality to cope with France.
Spain: Expected goals conceded
Spain have conceded only 1.49 expected goals (xG), the lowest among quarter-finalists. Their average possession is similar to their Euro 2012 level, enabling an impervious defence. For context, Norway have allowed at least 1.49 xG in four of their five matches.
Belgium: High turnovers leading to shots
Belgium have 15 high turnovers leading to shots, the most of any team. Opta's high-turnover metric records when a team begins an open-play possession sequence within 40 metres of the opposition goal. Spain lead this stat with 50, while Belgium (41) are in the chasing pack. Belgium's four goals from high turnovers are also the top mark, which could press Spain's backline into mistakes.
Norway: Expected goals per shot
Norway have the highest expected goals per shot average at 0.17, focusing on quality over quantity. They have taken only four more shots than Cape Verde despite playing an extra match. Their non-penalty xG per shot (0.17) is higher than any team averaged in Europe's big five leagues last season.
England: Big chances
England have created 23 big chances, defined by Opta as when “a player should reasonably be expected to score”. They produced a ruthless attacking performance against Mexico, scoring three times from six shots, with five on target. Their goals came via two tap-ins and a penalty, all deemed big chances.
Argentina: Counterattack, set-piece and penalty goals
Argentina are joint-top scorers with 14 goals, with seven coming from counterattacks, set pieces or penalties. No other team has scored as many times outside regular play. They scored two counterattacking goals against Austria, a pair from free-kicks against Jordan, and two via corners to see off Cape Verde. They can even afford for Lionel Messi to miss penalties.
Switzerland: Direct speed
Switzerland have the highest direct speed among quarter-finalists at 1.77 metres per second, measuring the average speed of ball movement towards the opponent goal line. With Argentina likely to dominate possession, Switzerland will need to pounce when they get an opportunity.
