Data-visual recap: Spain 3-0 Croatia

Data-visual recap: Spain 3-0 Croatia

Spain opened their campaign with a clinical 3-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing their efficiency in front of goal despite a closely contested match. The Expected Threat (xT) metric reveals a balanced game, with Spain achieving an xT of 1.00 compared to Croatia’s 0.79, indicating that the scoreline might not fully reflect the efforts of both teams.

The field tilt was almost even, with Spain at 50.45% and Croatia at 49.55%, demonstrating the balanced nature of possession and territorial control. However, Croatia’s lower Passes per Defensive Action (PPDA) of 8.50 compared to Spain’s 14.89 suggests that Croatia applied more pressure when Spain had the ball, attempting to disrupt their rhythm.

Josip Sutalo was a standout performer for Croatia, receiving the most passes (65) and completing 68 out of 70. Marcelo Brozovic contributed significantly with 22 progressive passes, while Mateo Kovacic led the way with six progressive carries, trying to push Croatia forward. Defensively, Josip Stanisic was notable with four tackles.

Spain’s efficiency was highlighted by Lamine Yamal, who posted the highest xT of 0.49, reflecting his crucial contributions in the attacking third. His creativity and finishing were pivotal in breaking down the Croatian defense and securing the win for La Roja.

In conclusion, Spain’s clinical finishing, led by the impactful performance of Lamine Yamal, ensured a solid victory over a competitive Croatian side. The statistics underline a more balanced match than the scoreline suggests, with Spain making the most of their opportunities.