2026 World Cup Quarter‑Final Stats Overview

Leading Goal Attempt Numbers

Lionel Messi tops the tournament in both total shots and expected goals (xG), keeping him at the top of the Golden Boot race despite missing two penalties. Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane also posted productive shooting figures, each contributing multiple shots on target. The only other player to crack the three‑xG threshold is Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal, highlighting a tight elite group of finishers.

Argentina’s front‑line creativity is reflected in their overall shot tally, while England relies heavily on aerial assaults – they recorded 22 headed attempts, the most of any remaining side. Spain sit just behind England in scoring opportunity quality, and France’s quarter‑final opponent Morocco has generated a modest 6.4 xG across five games, the lowest among the eight teams still in contention.

Captains’ Running Performances

Belgium’s players have covered the greatest distance of any nation, with Youri Tielemans surpassing 60 km during the win over the USA. Harry Kane led England’s workload, logging over 53 km in his five matches and becoming the squad’s top runner. Five captains are ranked inside the top 20 for total distance, underscoring the physical demands placed on team leaders.

The extensive running by midfield maestros like Tielemans and Kane has helped their sides maintain intensity in the latter stages of matches, a factor that could prove decisive in the knockout phase.

Midfield Influence – Anderson’s Impact

Elliot Anderson’s midfield steel was evident when his tackle sparked Jude Bellingham’s second goal against Mexico, illustrating his ability to transition defense into attack. England’s recent success had been hampered by a lack of midfield resilience, and Anderson’s contributions – among the highest defensive actions of the tournament – address that shortfall. Morocco’s Neil El Aynoui leads direct presses on opponents with the ball, while Pedri forces the most turnovers, a key reason for Spain’s possession dominance.

Possession Dominance & Turnover Control

Spain’s midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo keeps the ball fluidly, allowing them to dictate play and efficiently close out matches, as seen against Austria in the round of 32. The Spanish side has also recorded the most possession‑turnover recoveries (252), showing both defensive solidity and attacking intent. Belgium, Spain’s quarter‑final opponent, is the only side with a negative possession average, opting to absorb pressure and launch quick counters.

Spain’s ball‑control philosophy not only aligns with their traditional style but also equips them with the stamina to dominate later in games, a pattern that could favor them against a high‑energy Belgian side.

Defensive Press & Turnover Rankings

Morocco’s Neil El Aynoui leads the tournament in direct presses on opponents carrying the ball, a statistic that reflects a proactive defensive approach. Pedri’s turnover count is the highest on the squad, directly supporting Spain’s impressive possession statistics and providing the platform for their attacking moves. England’s defensive unit, anchored by Anderson’s work, ranks near the top for tackles that lead to goal‑scoring chances.

Goal‑Scoring Opportunities Comparison

England generated the best scoring opportunities among the remaining teams, edging out Spain for efficiency and logging the most headed attempts (22). Spain sit second in opportunity creation, while France’s quarter‑final foe Morocco recorded the fewest shots inside the area (38) and the lowest xG (6.4) of any team still in the tournament. These differentials suggest that aerial threat and shot volume remain key discriminators at this stage.

France’s Quarter‑Final Set‑Piece Outlook

France will face Morocco in the last eight, a match where the latter has shown limited creative output, accumulating only 6.4 xG across five fixtures. Morocco’s low shot count inside the penalty area (38) marks the fewest of the remaining eight nations, indicating a defensive vulnerability that France could exploit. The French camp will look to capitalize on Morocco’s reduced attacking presence while reinforcing their own defensive organization.