ARGENTINA'S DEFENCE RESTRICTS CLOSE-RANGE SHOTS AHEAD OF ENGLAND CLASH

Argentina have limited shots from inside the six-yard box during this World Cup, a defensive strength that England will need to exploit in their upcoming match. According to analysis of tournament data, shots struck from within the six-yard box have been converted at a rate of 27.1 per cent, nearly double the success rate of attempts from elsewhere in the penalty area at 13.7 per cent. Ecuador and Argentina remain the only two teams not to have conceded a shot from within the six-yard box throughout the tournament.

Argentina's underlying defensive process has been measured as stronger than their actual match outcomes suggest. Their average of 0.52 expected goals conceded per 90 minutes ranks among the best in the tournament, bettered only by Spain's 0.31. Despite conceding five goals to Cape Verde, Egypt and Jordan, Argentina have restricted where shots have been taken against them, with 52 per cent of shots faced coming from outside the penalty area. Only Uruguay have forced a higher proportion of shots from distance, at 56 per cent.

England have attempted fewer shots from close range than several other teams in the tournament, with nine shots from inside the six-yard box compared to Spain's 14 and Argentina's 10. Set pieces offer England a potential avenue to test Argentina's defensive record in this specific area. The data indicates that creating high-conversion opportunities from close range will be crucial to England's strategy against the World Cup champions.