Updated after each final whistle, this page serves as a running record of how the numbers align with the results across all 104 matches. Read more »
Netherlands Analysis
2026 FIFA World Cup xG Tracker: Results, Expected Goals Of Every Match
Italy, Holland, USA Respond For 2022
The initial aftermath led to debates about the future of soccer in each country, and an optimism that governing bodies treat the cause and not just the symptom with a new, modern approach to tactics and player development. Read more »
National Team Overhauls & The Early Impact Of The 2018 World Cup
The 2018 World Cup has already had a significant impact in sparking existential debates about a country's football identity. Why were so many traditional World Cup stalwarts struggling to qualify this time around? Read more »
Possession, The Dutch 4-3-3 & Modernizing Total Football
Things have been difficult for the Netherlands since the 2014 World Cup, but at least their side has a pathway to once again be at the forefront of modern soccer, in whatever form of pressing, possession, or counterattacking it takes. Read more »
Tchau To All That
The individual brilliance of the early matches was eventually neutralized by countries with better all-around squads and this was a World Cup that became reasonably predictable once we escaped the group stage. But every single minute was thrilling and worth it. Read more »
Down To Four
Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands are the final four countries standing in World Cup 2014. Circumstances favor the European teams, but will they prevail in what will be home matches for both South American sides? Read more »
Expected Goals Of The World Cup Quarterfinalists
Lionel Messi has been magic, while Colombia is now the sentimental favorite, but let's take a step back so we avoid dismissing Brazil and the completeness of France and Germany. Read more »
Messi, Suarez & Costa Rica: An Ode To The 2014 World Cup Group Stages
The deluge of goals from Messi, Neymar, Müller, Robben and Van Persie, impressive play from Costa Rica and Colombia, and the bite seen round the world all overshadowed the changing of the era. Read more »
Unraveling World Cup Winners: The Fullback Riddle
In an era of specialized role, fullbacks became the modern box to box playmaker. Teams with adventurous fullbacks are modern, pressing and attack with fearlessness and speed, and have had impressive success already in World Cup 2014. Read more »
Group B: Aesthetics & Contenders
Group B has three aesthetically appealing squads in Spain, Chile and the Netherlands that appear capable of going the distance on paper and merely getting out into the Round of 16 will be an important accomplishment. Read more »
The 2014 World Cup: A Tournament Of Transition
The best attacker in this 2014 World Cup will be a country’s press. Of course, games are won by brilliant moments from individual players. Genius does still exist. But the modern game is less Steve Jobs than it is Wikipedia. Read more »