After a last-gasp win over Tunisia on Monday night, how do England's attacking stats compare with Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Argentina & Portugal?
Tuesday 19 June 2018 14:51, UK
Dare we whisper it, but could England actually win the World Cup? We've compared the Three Lions' stats with seven tournament favourites after matchday one to see how they fare...
Tunisia attempted to frustrate England and hold out for the draw in Volgograd, but skipper Harry Kane netted his second of the night in stoppage time to secure three crucial points.
Hosts Russia remain the tournament's top scorers after kicking off the competition in style with a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while Belgium, Portugal and Spain have all netted three.
Among the top eight favourites to lift the trophy in July, England rank fourth for goals with two - level with France, who benefited from an Aziz Behich own goal during a narrow 2-1 win over Australia.
Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil have both scored a solitary goal - while world champions Germany suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico.
Kane's double saw him soar into joint-second spot in the scoring chart, level with Denis Cheryshev, Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku - behind only Cristiano Ronaldo after his hat-trick in a scintillating 3-3 draw with Spain on Friday.
Despite being the only favourite to suffer defeat in the opening game, Germany hit more shots on target than any of their rivals - striking nine at Guillermo Ochoa's goal.
However, England are next up with eight accurate attempts, while Argentina hit seven during a 1-1 draw with Iceland - but Portugal managed only three - all converted by Ronaldo.
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among six players with three accurate attempts, including Edinson Cavani, Toni Kroos, Antoine Griezmann and Cheryshev - while Kane is among a group of nine with two on target.
In terms of chances created, Germany's frustrations against Mexico are borne out once again, with Joachim Low's side carving out 20 opportunities - more than any of the top eight favourites.
Argentina created 19 opportunities during their unsuccessful onslaught against Iceland, while England mustered an equal number of chances against Tunisia - considerably more than Brazil (11), Belgium (eight), Spain (seven), France and Portugal (both five).
Kieran Trippier rightly received plaudits for his performance on Monday night, having created a tournament-topping six chances from wing-back, while Germany duo Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich created five apiece - as did Argentina midfielder Maxi Meza.
Trippier's work down the right flank appears to be a tactic for Gareth Southgate's men, with the Tottenham defender completing a tournament-topping seven of England's 10 accurate crosses - more than any of their main rivals.
In contrast, France only completed two successful crosses during their narrow 2-1 victory over Australia, as did Belgium in their 3-0 win against Panama in England's Group G.
Across the tournament, Uruguay midfielder Carlos Sanchez managed four accurate crosses during a laboured 1-0 win over Egypt, while Ashley Young, Ivan Rakitic, Angel Di Maria, Neymar, Aleksandr Golovin and Miguel Trauco have all recorded three.
England almost paid the price for missing two big chances on Monday after Jesse Lingard and John Stones spurned glaring opportunities and Southgate will be hoping his side are more clinical in front of goal when they face Panama on Sunday.
Brazil missed three big chances during their 1-1 stalemate with Switzerland, with Roberto Firmino, Paulinho and Gabriel Jesus fluffing their lines in front of goal - while Lionel Messi squandered a penalty for Argentina and Eden Hazard missed a less costly chance for Belgium.
However, Luis Suarez failed to convert three big chances in a shocking performance against Egypt - before Jose Gimenez ensured they would not be costly with an 89th-minute winner.
Out of the eight favourites, England, Belgium and France are the only teams to win their opening fixture, and while Southgate may be concerned with the chances his side spurned, he will be encouraged by the resolve to dig out victory.
England's attack has eclipsed several of the tournament's favourites after the opening round of group games - but their true test will be on Thursday when they face fellow outside favourites Belgium.
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