World Cup Group Stage Data Recap

The group stages are done, let's take a look at what ended up being a very fun group stage.

Well, that was fun!

I am going to miss having high-stakes soccer on every day (even if I did sleep through a few matches, I just didn’t have the dedication to wake up at 2am) that certainly helped the work day move along faster.

Reviewing my picks, picking players of the group and general comments:

Group A:

I picked Netherlands to win, with Ecuador as runners up. It ended up with Senegal getting ahead of Ecuador with a win on the last day.

This was the weakest group on paper on it really didn’t have too much to write about. The Netherlands come out looking like the third weakest group winner and will be favored against the United States Saturday morning but that looks like it will be tough match with both teams not creating a bunch and having a stout defense.

Player of the group: Ismaïla Sarr - Senegal

I have been a Saar fan and his performance in the group stage didn’t change that. He was a threat with the ball at his feet and was the main outlet for both shots and setting up team mates. A great group stage and I will be watching closely what he can do up against England on Sunday.

Group B:

I picked England to win, with USA as runners up. I got this one right but the US made it very interesting and stressful going into the last few minutes

Player of the group: Bukayo Saka - England

I am not really going to pick another player (although if I was it would probably be Tyler Adams, who I thought was immense shielding the USA defense)

Saka was arguably the most threatening of all of England’s attackers (Marcus Rashford deserves a shout here) causing trouble for all of the defenders that he came up against. It was a very good group stage performance for the Arsenal man.

Group C:

I picked Argentina to win, with Poland as runners up. I got this one right as well but Suadi Arabia really made this one interesting causing a huge upset in the first match and then getting a last-minute goal to seal Poland going through as runner up.

Player of the Group: Wojciech Szczęsny - Poland

It is perhaps a little outlandish to pick a goalkeeper as the player of the group but I think Szczęsny deserves it with his play. He is a huge reason that Poland was able to squeeze through this group. He ended up facing 48 shots, 20 of those finding the target. He saved 18 of those shots, conceding just 2 goals from nearly 6 expected against him. For a team that advanced on goal difference alone that is a huge performance and reason why.

I miss Szczęsny and I am very happy to see him performing well at this world cup.

Group D:

I picked Denmark to win, with France as runners up. I got sucked into the Denmark hype and overthought

things with France and injury concerns. Australia and Tunisia were pretty solid in this group with Denmark being a pretty big disappointment.

Player of the Group: Antoine Griezmann - France

It had to be a player from France and I think Griezmann deserves a special mention for his turn-back-the-clock performance. He pulled the strings consistently for this France attack, leading all players in key passes, expected assists, and goal probability added.

Group E:

I picked Germany to win, with Spain as runners up. I did call that I thought Japan might cause Spain troubles I just didn’t see them also improbably also beating Germany but losing to Costa Rica. My second pick to win the tournament in Spain is still in it and did actually make it to the side of the bracket which is slightly easier.

Player of the Group: Pedri - Spain

Some of the Germany players put up more impressive numbers but they also were a team that as a group didn’t meet the minimum expectations so I am going to disqualify them and instead got with Pedri.

Pedri put up some video game type numbers at the heart of Spain’s possession machine. He lead all players in final third entries with 44 (next best was 30), adding 21 progressive passes (5th best) and 4 passes into the penalty area. This kid is a special player.

Group F:

I picked Belgium to win, with Croatia as runners-up. I did not expect Belgium to collapse like this, I could not believe how little they seemed to care and how little intensity they seemed to have. They looked like a team that had quit on Roberto Martinez, their golden generation is truly done and over.

I did note in the picks post, that Morocco just finds ways to win and well that remains true. They didn’t do too much spectacular (+3 GD from -0.5 xG but still got the results they needed to see them through into the knockout stage.

Player of the Group: Luka Modric - Croatia

Picking a player from this group was tough as I don’t know if anyone really stood as playing especially well. I was tempted to go with Tajon Buchanan but ultimately decided against it with the “the team didn’t do that well” rule leading the way. Ultimatley I think the ageless Modric is a solid choice, it will be interesting if Croatia can go on another run in a tournament with a winnable knockout match against Japan.

Group G:

I picked Brazil to win, with Serbia as runners up. Granit Xhaka and Switzerland were able to pip them in another very entertaining final group stage match.

Player of the Group: Marquinhos - Brazil

Another one where I think picking the best player was tough but I am going to go with Marquinhos here as I think he was the best ball-playing center back of the group stage and a good part of one the stingest defense’s.

Bouns Crab Cakes

Granit Xhaka - Switzerland

Xhaka was solid and very Xhaka. I will comment on that I love that he seems to have matured from the person that teams target to wind up to being the one that really knows how wind other players/teams up. Some top-notch shithousery.

Gabriel Jesus - Brazil

Jesus might be hurt and the only thing I am focusing on is that whatever is bugging his knee is not serious.

Gabriel Martinelli - Brazil

It is VERY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE but whenever Martinelli has been on the field he has been electric. I love this player and I am glad he has gotten to see the pitch. He may not get too many more minutes going forward but I do believe his performances has proven that he was worthy to be included in this team.

Group H:

I picked Winner Uruguay, with Portugal as runner up. This was my biggest miss where I didn’t even get one team in the correct spot. I will say watching Luis Suarez be sad when South Korea scored to knock them out was pretty funny.

Player of the Group: Bruno Fernandes - Portugal

I don’t really care for Fernandes but I have to admit, he has been impressive in the group stages. When Portugal need someone to do something he is the player that seems to step up.