Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

The Guardian - UK

Sport

Andrew Beasley

World Cup final data pointers: Spain’s defensive record and Argentina’s attack

Spain Argentina World Cup Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi at the Fanatics Fest — Lionel Messi has taken the most shots of any player on either side. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

The World Cup final will feature the champions of South America and Europe for the first time. Argentina and Spain sit first and second in Fifa’s world ranking of men’s international teams. Opta’s supercomputer rated Luis de la Fuente’s side as favourites to win the tournament, with their opponents on Sunday deemed fourth likeliest.

Both systems had England and France in their top four, suggesting the semi-finals featured the correct teams. But do the statistics from the World Cup indicate we have the best pair for the final?

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Florida Catholic School Parents Seeking Religious Vaccine Exemptions Caught Between Bishops and the Attorney General Over Scholarships

Florida Catholic School Parents Seeking Religious Vaccine Exemptions Caught Between Bishops and the Attorney General Over Scholarships

Florida's attorney general and Catholic bishops clash over religious vaccine exemptions at scholarship schools. What the standoff means for parents.

California and the Justice Department clash as more than two dozen face federal charges in voter sweep: ‘what are they hiding?’

California and the Justice Department clash as more than two dozen face federal charges in voter sweep: ‘what are they hiding?’

The government wants a fair election.

We Got This Covered

USMNT Given Major Injury Boost Ahead of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals

USMNT Given Major Injury Boost Ahead of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals

U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a World Cup star back in his ranks.

Sports Illustrated

El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti

El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele says he has launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti following an attack Sunday, threatening a more severe attack if they are not released alive and unharmed

The Independent UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury

Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury

U.S. v. Santiago, decided Monday by Judge Chad Meredith (E.D. Ky.), involves this Instagram post: Santiago is being prosecuted for… The post Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Flu Is Growing or Likely Growing in 46 States as CDC Rolls Out Local Tool to Spot Surges

Flu Is Growing or Likely Growing in 46 States as CDC Rolls Out Local Tool to Spot Surges

CDC estimates show flu is growing or likely growing in 46 states. See what the new local tracking tool shows and why it does not predict severity.

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Florida Catholic School Parents Seeking Religious Vaccine Exemptions Caught Between Bishops and the Attorney General Over Scholarships

Florida Catholic School Parents Seeking Religious Vaccine Exemptions Caught Between Bishops and the Attorney General Over Scholarships

Florida's attorney general and Catholic bishops clash over religious vaccine exemptions at scholarship schools. What the standoff means for parents.

California and the Justice Department clash as more than two dozen face federal charges in voter sweep: ‘what are they hiding?’

California and the Justice Department clash as more than two dozen face federal charges in voter sweep: ‘what are they hiding?’

The government wants a fair election.

We Got This Covered

USMNT Given Major Injury Boost Ahead of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals

USMNT Given Major Injury Boost Ahead of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals

U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a World Cup star back in his ranks.

Sports Illustrated

El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti

El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele says he has launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti following an attack Sunday, threatening a more severe attack if they are not released alive and unharmed

The Independent UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury

Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury

U.S. v. Santiago, decided Monday by Judge Chad Meredith (E.D. Ky.), involves this Instagram post: Santiago is being prosecuted for… The post Prosecution for Threatening to Cut President's Face Off and Feed It to Stray Dogs Can Go to Jury appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Flu Is Growing or Likely Growing in 46 States as CDC Rolls Out Local Tool to Spot Surges

Flu Is Growing or Likely Growing in 46 States as CDC Rolls Out Local Tool to Spot Surges

CDC estimates show flu is growing or likely growing in 46 states. See what the new local tracking tool shows and why it does not predict severity.

Our Picks

What’s Actually Made Fresh at the Grocery Store Bakery? The Answer May Surprise You

The smell of warm bread and cookies can make the grocery store bakery one of the hardest sections to walk past without buying something. Rows of golden rolls, frosted cupcakes, and fresh-looking pastries create the impression that bakers prepared everything that morning. Sometimes, that is true, but many supermarket bakeries…

Grocery Coupon Guide

Cyndi Lauper defends working with Nicki Minaj despite rapper’s support for Trump

Rapper has become one of the president’s most famous supporters

The Independent UK

Doctors Were the Butt of 40% of Facebook Doctor Jokes, but the Most-Liked One Skewered a Lawyer

Researchers combed 30,075 Facebook posts for doctor jokes. Physicians were the usual target, but the most-liked punchline hit a lawyer.

Fridge or not? What’s the best way to store bread?

Our experts have some airtight advice to stop your loaf from going stale

The Guardian - UK

Not enjoying being a parent? You’re not alone. Here’s how to handle this complicated feeling

We’re often told parenting is one of the most rewarding things we’ll ever do. But as many parents will attest, it is also full of very difficult moments. And sometimes these moments seem almost constant.

The Conversation

A warm, sumptuous tale of two Coppolas

As "Marie Antoinette" turns 20, Eleanor and Sofia Coppola's documentary reveals new resonance

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play