Expected goals (xG) is a method developed by Michael Caley for estimating the quality of chances that a team creates or concedes in a match.

The following figures show the xG differential for all 32 nations after the conclusion of the Group Stage of the World Cup.

1. Belgium: 2.00
2. Uruguay: 1.30
3. Spain: 1.20
4. Brazil: 1.13
5. England: 0.97
6. France: 0.73
7. Switzerland: 0.63
8. Croatia: 0.50
9. Senegal: 0.30
10. Sweden: 0.27
11. Russia: 0.10
12. Colombia: 0.07
13. Mexico: 0.07
14. Panama: 0.07
15. Germany: 0.00
16. Japan: -0.03
17. Denmark: -0.03
18. Australia: -0.10
19. Portugal: -0.20
20. Argentina: -0.20
21. Iran: -0.30
22. South Korea: -0.33
23. Poland: -0.33
24. Iceland: -0.47
25. Nigeria: -0.50
26. Peru: -0.60
27. Serbia: -0.63
28. Egypt: -0.67
29. Morocco: -0.70
30. Saudi Arabia: -0.73
31. Costa Rica: -1.13
32. Tunisia: -3.03

Harry Kane promises England will be aggressive as they enter the World Cup.

“The aim is to be aggressive and brave in possession,” Kane said. “That’s what we are trying to instil into the team. We want to take this tournament head on. There will be tough moments, and ups and downs. Sometimes going into a big tournament is about not losing and being passive but, for us, it’s about playing attacking football. We are aiming to win the first game, then to target the second, and take that attitude to the World Cup.

“Personally, that [scoring] record is something I want to change, and hopefully will this summer. I’ve always felt you go through spells: the ball goes in sometimes and other times it doesn’t, like in August every year for me. That’s part of the game. But I always look at my game and see how I can get better, so that’s making an impact in big tournaments. Obviously that’s only one senior finals for me so far, but there is the under-21s as well. But I want to score in tournament football and that’s what I will try to do.”