World Cup Performance Data

Castrol Performance data looks at what was the difference between success and failure at the 2010 World Cup.

SPAIN COMPLETED A RECORD 3753 PASSES
Castrol Performance data shows that Vicente Del Bosque’s men have broken the record number of passes completed in a single World Cup since 1966.

The Spanish completed 3 753 passes, beating the 1994 Brazilian side which made 3 547. The Netherlands team of 1998 are third with 3 178, followed by Brazil in the same World Cup (2 894) and the German side of 1990 (2 839).

Spain’s ability on the ball is reflected in the fact that they had the highest possession ratio at the tournament (65.97 percent), allowing their opponents little time on the ball. La Roja conceded just two goals in seven games, winning 1-0 in their last four matches and becoming the first World Cup winner not to concede a single goal in the knockout stage.

GERMANY SCORED WITH ONE OF FIVE ATTEMPTS
Castrol Performance data shows that Germany converted 20 percent of their shots at the 2010 World Cup, a tournament-high, and also their most clinical World Cup since 1970.

They scored 16 goals in 2010 with a chance conversion of 20 percent, which betters their 1970 effort, when they netted 17 times at 15.18 percent.

The 1966 West German team, which lost in the Final to England, scored 15 goals at 14.71 percent chance conversion, followed by another losing finalist side, that of 2002, which netted 14 goals at 14 percent.

Joachim Löw’s side scored 16 goals – a tally that Germany had failed to reach since the 1970 finals – as the second-youngest team at this summer’s finals (25 years and four months) showed that they will be serious contenders for the 2012 European Championship.

THE DUTCH PICKED UP THE MOST CARDS
Castrol Performance data shows that only Argentina have picked up more cards in a single World Cup than Bert van Marwijk’s men at this summer’s finals.

Argentina’s team at Italia 90 collected 23 yellow and three red cards, beating the 2010 Dutch side, who picked up 22 yellows and the red shown to Johnny Heitinga in the Final.

Portugal were shown 20 yellows and two reds in the 2006 tournament, while Bulgaria’s 1994 squad had 18 yellows and two reds.

The Netherlands conceded a goal to Andres Iniesta just seven minutes after Heitinga’s sending off in the 2010 Final as dirty tactics seemed to replace total football for the Oranje – they conceded 126 fouls, more than any other side at this summer’s finals.

URUGUAY MADE THE MOST TACKLES
Castrol Performance data shows that Uruguay had the highest tackles per game average at the 2010 World Cup.

The South Americans made 26.43 tackles per game, with Mexico and Portugal second on the list with 25.75, followed by Chile (25.50) and Paraguay (24.80).

A combination of flair and grit helped Uruguay – the last team to qualify to the 2010 World Cup – shocked many pundits to claim fourth spot. Oscar Tabarez’s side displayed a lower possession ratio than their opponents in each of the seven matches they played at this summer’s tournament, relying on relentless closing down and fast counter-attacking football for their success.

IT TOOK ENGLAND ON AVERAGE 17 SHOTS TO SCORE
Castrol Performance data shows that Fabio Capello’s men converted little over 6 percent of their attempts, amongst the lowest ratios at the 2010 World Cup.

Honduras and Algeria, who failed to score, ‘lead the way’ with 0 percent, followed by North Korea (3.13), France (3.45), Switzerland (4.76), Serbia (5.26), Cameroon (5.71) and then England.

England would have needed just one more goal in their last group stage fixture against Slovenia (1-0 win) to top their group and avoid Germany in the last 16, but failed to do so. Wayne Rooney’s failure to find the net – he has never scored in eight World Cup appearances – reflected England’s lack of firepower upfront.

MESSI FAILED TO SCORE, DESPITE FIRING 29 SHOTS
Castrol Performance data shows that Lionel Messi had the most shots without scoring at the 2010 World Cup.

Messi hit a staggering 29 shots with nett8ing, with Frank Lampard’s 15 a distant second. Korea Republic’s Jong Tae-Se is third with 14, followed by Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah and Dani Alves of Brazil (both 13).

In his four appearances at the 2010 World Cup, Messi had 12 shots on target, nine off target, and saw another eight of his attempts blocked by an opposition player, whilst the Barcelona wizard hit the woodwork twice in the process.