Best finishers, defensive kings & runners – World Cup finalists in numbers

Best finishers, defensive kings & runners – World Cup finalists in numbersImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lionel Messi is playing in his third World Cup final while Lamine Yamal is playing in his firstByChris CollinsonBBC Sport statisticianPublished17 minutes agoSunday’s World Cup final pits holders Argentina against Spain. The South American champions against the European champions. How do they compare? This is the story of the numbers.Since two of their games went to extra time, Argentina have played an hour of football more than Spain at this tournament – so we have taken that into account by including the ‘per 90 minutes’ version of each statistic.With 19 goals, Argentina side have scored the most at the tournament, thanks mainly to some clinical finishing. They have now scored at least two goals in each of their past 13 World Cup games, since losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture four years ago.Despite taking more shots, Spain have scored six goals fewer – as they have been average finishers so far, simply scoring as many goals as expected given the number and quality of their chances (13 scored, against an xG rating of 13.3).Argentina have actually only scored one more goal from inside the box but have been far more dangerous outside it, scoring five times while Spain are yet to score from distance.Spain may have scored six goals fewer than Argentina but have conceded six goals fewer too, letting in just one so far – in their 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium.The South Americans can perhaps consider themselves unlucky to have conceded seven, as only three sides have given up shots less often and only Spain have a lower xG against them per 90 minutes.But even if Argentina’s defence has been better than it looks, Spain’s has been in a league of its own.Incredibly, despite playing more games than 44 of the other teams, Spain still have the lowest defensive xG overall at this World Cup (2.1), with Uruguay the second-lowest after going out in the group stage (2.4).Keep calm and carry on – Spain trust team identity to deliver World Cup