In a thrilling semi-final, England emerged victorious over the Netherlands with a 2-1 win. The Netherlands took an early lead with a stunning goal from Xavi Simons, but England equalized moments after with a penalty from Harry Kane. Both teams exhibited strategic prowess; England maintained higher possession, while the Netherlands was dangerous on the counter-attack. The decisive moment came in the 90th minute when Ollie Watkins scored the winning goal with a brilliant individual attacking effort, securing England’s place in the final against Spain.
Examining the shots taken from each team reveals England’s superiority in the offensive third. England took a total of 10 shots, with 6 of them being on target, showcasing their ability to create and convert scoring opportunities efficiently, while also achieving 1.69 expected goals, a metric where they struggled throughout the tournament. On the other hand, the Netherlands managed 6 total shots with 4 on target, which is quite impressive but also indicating a lower shooting frequency and worse shooting angles (only 0.57 xG).t.
Key Statistics and Analysis
England’s victory was underpinned by a strong second-half performance and crucial substitutions. The Three Lions enjoyed 60% possession, demonstrating their control over the game. Defensively, England made several key interceptions and clearances, particularly after leveling the score, to maintain their lead. On the attacking front, both teams were evenly matched in terms of shots, but England’s efficiency in converting their chances proved decisive.
The scatterplot below offers an insightful look into the individual and collective defensive and offensive duels between the players of both teams. The total number of duels and duels won are plotted for all players, with the size of the points representing duels won in the offensive half. Jude Bellingham’s performance stands out with 16 total duels, winning 9 of them, and 6 duels won in the offensive half.
This highlights his significant role in both defensive and offensive contributions. Similarly, Harry Kane engaged in 14 duels, winning 6, with all of his successful duels occurring in the offensive half, underscoring his effectiveness in applying pressure on the Dutch defense and maintaining attacking momentum. For the Netherlands, De Vrij participated in 11 duels, winning 7, with 2 in the offensive half, indicating his strong defensive presence. Xavi Simons, with 10 duels and 5 wins, including 3 in the offensive half, showcases his balanced contribution on both ends of the field. Overall, this analysis of duels highlights the physical and tactical battles on the pitch, with England’s key players showing a greater impact in the offensive half, contributing to their overall success in the match.
REPORT PREPARED BY THE STUDENTS OF SPORTS DATA CAMPUS:
Attila Hegedüs
https://www.linkedin.com/in/attila-józsef-hegedűs/
Tomás Cabrera
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-cabrera-petrone-b2a9681b1/
Dimitris Chatziliadis
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitris-chatziliadis-54805728b/
¡MORE INFORMATION, HERE!
