Four teams remain with two games standing between them and World Cup glory. Before France faces Spain and England takes on Argentina in the semifinals, here is how the four sides stack up statistically across six group and knockout games apiece.

Attack: France Leads, Spain Underperforms

France has been the most dangerous side going forward overall, averaging the most goals per 90 minutes, and matching Spain’s total of 110 shots while scoring 16 goals across the tournament. Argentina have scored the most goals in absolute terms with 17, but have played more football due to games going to extra time.

Spain have been the least clinical of the four. Despite taking as many shots as France, they have scored just 11 goals — nearly a full goal per game fewer than their semifinal opponents. Argentina, meanwhile, have been the most efficient converters, turning 18% of their chances into goals.

England have generated fewer high-quality chances than the other three teams, but clinical finishing from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane has still produced more than two goals per game.

Defense: Spain the Tightest, England and Argentina Vulnerable

Spain have been the most resolute defensively of the four remaining sides, conceding their first goal of the tournament only in the quarterfinal win over Belgium. France have conceded just two goals across six games. England and Argentina have each conceded six goals, with England giving up the most clear chances and Argentina the least successful at keeping them out.

The contrast in defensive solidity makes the Spain-France match a fascinating tactical puzzle — an unstoppable French attack against arguably the tournament’s most organized defensive structure. The England-Argentina semifinal, by contrast, looks likely to produce more goals given both sides’ vulnerabilities at the back.

Pressing and Work Rate: Spain on Top, Argentina the Least Active

Spain have been the hardest-working side of the four, leading in distance covered per 90 minutes, sprinting frequency, and high-press success. Argentina have covered the most total ground in absolute terms, but that is a function of their additional playing time. Adjusted for minutes played, Argentina have actually run the least and made the fewest sprints — and have been out-run by their opponents in every match so far.

Spain also lead in possession, averaging 66% across the tournament — the highest of any team at this World Cup — and share the joint-best passing accuracy with Argentina at 90.4%.

Set Pieces and Aerial Duels: England’s Weapon

England have been the most effective crossing team of the four semifinalists, finding a teammate with one in every four open-play crosses. That proficiency has translated into four headed goals and 24 headed shots — both tournament highs among the remaining sides.

Argentina have the worst aerial duel success rate of the four semifinalists, which should give England’s physical attackers reason for confidence ahead of their matchup. England also edge Argentina in 50-50 duels, though only marginally.

Key Individual Factors

Lionel Messi has threaded more through balls to teammates than any other player at this World Cup — 15 in total — and remains the team’s creative engine. Only two players at the tournament have dribbled past opponents more often than Messi, though Argentina’s other players have been considerably more conservative on the ball.

France’s front four present a different challenge for Spain: all tournament, they have consistently driven at defenders with the ball, making direct running one of their most consistent attacking weapons. Spain’s defenders will need to be organized and compact to contain them.

Kylian Mbappé leads France into the semifinal with seven goals and two assists, placing him behind only Messi’s all-time record of 21 World Cup goals. With three goals in six games at this tournament, Messi is also well on pace to add to that tally.

Author: Staff Writer | Edited for WTFwire.com | SOURCE: BBC News