Global soccer powers Argentina, Brazil and Germany will retake the field in the World Cup with something to prove after disappointing results as heavy favorites in their openers. Important to note that all three dominated “flow of play” to a degree that’s indistinguishable from powers that won comfortably — France, Belgium and England.
This is very clear when you combine shots on goal with corner kicks, two stats that represent “forcing the action” in high-level soccer. Eight teams were priced clear of the field in futures odds before the event. Two of those, Spain and Portugal, played each other. Here’s how the other six performed in that statistic hybrid, ranked in order of differential:
Shots on goal plus corner kicks
- Argentina 17, Iceland 5
- Germany 17, Mexico 5
- England 15, Tunisia 3
- Belgium 15, Panama 5
- France 11, Australia 2
- Brazil 11, Switzerland 4
Neither Argentina nor Germany could get a win, but both dominated attack. Brazil settled for a tie with Switzerland, posting stats similar to France’s in its win over Australia.
That sextet went only 3-1-2 straight up, but won the combo of shots and corner kicks by a combined 86-24 count. (If you’re wondering, favored Spain edged Portugal, 10-7.)
This is why the global betting markets haven’t adjusted prices much on the powers. They will still be forcing play moving forward.
Here are the William Hill lines for the top eight contenders in their second go-rounds:
Wednesday
Portugal -1 vs. Morocco
Spain -2 vs. Iran
Thursday
France -1 vs. Peru
Argentina -¹/₂ vs Croatia
Friday
Brazil -2 vs. Costa Rica
Saturday
Belgium -1¹/₂ vs. Tunisia
Germany -1¹/₂ vs. Sweden
Sunday
England -2 vs. Panama
