Spain conceded just one goal in eight games while winning the 2026 World Cup, according to The Guardian’s analysis. Its examination of the chances Spain allowed points towards crossing as a possible route for England to create opportunities, with deliveries from wide areas featuring in the most dangerous openings.
Spain’s defensive record sets the context
The Guardian reports that Spain allowed their opponents a combined 2.37 expected goals across those eight matches. Its account of Opta’s data also identifies just six chances worth more than 0.1 expected goals during the tournament.
Those figures put the crossing argument in perspective. The pattern concerns a small number of opportunities within a strong defensive record. The 2.37 expected-goals total should be read alongside the single goal actually conceded.
The headed chances behind the crossing argument
According to The Guardian’s account of Opta’s figures, Spain conceded four big chances at the World Cup. All four were headers, and all were created by deliveries from wide areas. That shared origin is the clearest basis for considering crosses as an England attacking option.
The four Opta-defined big chances and the six opportunities above 0.1 xG are distinct measures, not interchangeable descriptions. The Guardian reports that Charles De Ketelaere’s goal for Belgium, the only one Spain conceded, was set up by a Timothy Castagne cross.
What the crossing pattern could mean for England
The Guardian also highlights Scott McTominay’s second goal for Scotland, when he burst into the penalty area to score after David García failed to clear Kieran Tierney’s cross. This illustrates a different sequence from a delivery finished directly with a header: the failed clearance was central to the opening.
The Guardian quotes Thomas Tuchel describing English preferences among fans and players: “It’s just like: ‘Come on. Let’s kick the ball into the opponent’s box and fight with them’.” His description provides context for the tactical discussion; it should not be read as an announcement of England’s approach against Spain.
For England, the analytical relevance is that a cross could create an opportunity through the next action as well as the initial contact. Both possibilities merit consideration when weighing wide deliveries as an attacking option.