Goals, passes, precision: Argentina lead them all
Despite facing tougher tests than expected while navigating a rather easier route compared to others during their World Cup campaign, including a hard-fought qualification against Egypt, Argentina have retained one of the defining traits of Lionel Scaloni's tenure -- control through possession.
Although their overall performances have not always been at their fluent best, official FIFA statistics show Argentina lead the tournament in several key categories heading into the quarterfinals.
The Albiceleste are joint-highest scorers alongside France with 14 goals, with Lionel Messi contributing eight – the most by any player in the tournament.
Argentina have also completed a tournament-leading 3,446 passes, ahead of Spain (3,382) and Morocco (3,126). They top the passing accuracy chart as well with a 91 percent success rate, level with Spain, while Morocco rank third with 89 percent.
The figures underline Scaloni's possession-based philosophy, with Argentina not only circulating the ball more than any other team but also doing so with remarkable precision. The approach has enabled them to dictate matches while maintaining attacking intent.
The teams leading these statistical categories remain in contention. With 14 goals scored so far, France share the goalscoring lead with Argentina, while Belgium (13) and Norway (12) are the closest challengers as all four sides aim to add to their numbers in the quarterfinals.
The numbers reflect Argentina's dominance, but their narrow escapes against Cape Verde and Egypt serve as a reminder that there is still room for improvement. With the margins only getting finer, Scaloni's side must turn statistical superiority into far more refined performances if they are to successfully defend their World Cup title.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Comments