The last four teams standing at the 2026 World Cup are Argentina, England, France and Spain, all just two games away from lifting the trophy.
Comparing the four sides fairly requires accounting for playing time, as Argentina have played a full hour more than France and Spain due to extra time, with England playing an additional 30 minutes.
Reigning champions Argentina have scored the most goals of the four semi-finalists, netting 17 times across their six matches at the tournament.
Despite that impressive haul, it is France who have looked the most dangerous going forward, averaging the most goals, joint-most shots and highest Expected Goals per 90 minutes.
Argentina have been the most clinical side of the four, converting 18% of their chances, making them exceptionally efficient in front of goal.
Spain have been the least clinical despite taking as many shots as France, scoring just 11 goals to their opponents’ 16, almost a goal per game fewer.
England have been the least creative of the four sides when factoring in shot quality and quantity, but clinical finishing from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane has kept them above two goals per game.
Spain have been the most defensively solid team remaining, only conceding their first goal of the tournament in their quarter-final victory against Belgium.
France have also been impressive at the back, conceding just two goals across their six games, setting up a fascinating tactical battle against Spain on Tuesday.
England and Argentina have each conceded six goals, with England giving up the most chances and Argentina being the least successful of the four at keeping them out.
Argentina have covered the most ground overall at 706.5km, but when adjusted for playing time they have actually run the least and made the fewest sprints of any remaining team.
Argentina have been out-run by their opponents in every single game they have played so far at this World Cup, a remarkable statistic for a side so close to the final.
The reigning champions have also pressed the least aggressively, winning the ball high up the pitch less often than England, France and Spain throughout the competition.
Spain have been the hardest-working team of the final four, leading all semi-finalists in running distance, sprints and pressing intensity across the tournament.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have enjoyed the most possession of any team at this World Cup, recording 66%, and share the joint-best passing accuracy with Argentina at 90.4%.
Lionel Messi has threaded through balls to team-mates more often than any other player at this World Cup, completing 15 such passes as Argentina’s talismanic captain continues to pull the strings.
England will look to exploit Argentina’s weaknesses in the air, having scored the joint-most headed goals of any team at the tournament, finding the net four times from headers.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have also had 24 headed shots, more than any other team, and have been the most accurate crossers in open play, finding a team-mate with one in every four deliveries.
Argentina have the worst aerial duel success rate of the four remaining sides, which should offer England genuine confidence that their threat from set pieces and crosses can be a decisive weapon.
France’s front four have consistently run at defenders with the ball throughout the tournament, and Spain will need to be prepared to deal with that direct attacking threat when the two sides meet.
