Group H
ESP

Spain

Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Group rank
1
Points
7
Played
3
Goal diff.
5
Status
Qualified from group
Fixtures
By date
Fixtures / results
Mon, Jun 15
SpainvsCape Verde
FT 0-0
Group H
Sun, Jun 21
SpainvsSaudi Arabia
FT 4-0
Group H
Sat, Jun 27
UruguayvsSpain
FT 0-1
Group H
Thu, Jul 2
SpainvsAustria
FT 3-0
Round of 32
Mon, Jul 6
PortugalvsSpain
FT 0-1
Round of 16
Fri, Jul 10
SpainvsBelgium
FT 2-1
Quarter-final
Tue, Jul 14
FrancevsSpain
FT 0-2
Semi-final
Sun, Jul 19
SpainvsArgentina
FT 1-0
Final
Countries
Groups overview
Group H
1ESPQ
PL 32-1-0GF 5-0GD 5PTS 7
2CPVQ
PL 30-3-0GF 2-2GD 0PTS 3
3URUOut
PL 30-2-1GF 3-4GD -1PTS 2
4KSAOut
PL 30-2-1GF 1-5GD -4PTS 2
#TeamPLWDL+/-GDPTSStatus
1Spain32105-057Qualified
2Cape Verde30302-203Qualified
3Uruguay30213-4-12Out
4Saudi Arabia30211-5-42Out
Nation lens
Identity1 / 4
N1 · Identity
system-spread · possession-leaning

How they play

Spain maintains a dominant possession-based identity underpinned by an aggressive, high-intensity pressing structure. With a 64.1% possession average and a 7.6 PPDA, they prioritize collective control over individual reliance. This systematic approach forces opponents to defend deep for extended periods while struggling to disrupt their rhythm.

Playing identity · system ↔ individual × direct ↔ possession
SystemIndividualPossessionDirectSystem-builtpossessionStar-ledpossessionPress-and-transitionStar-ledcounter-attackersESP

Spain is plotted from possession share and top-scorer concentration. PPDA and recent form are supporting context when present.

+Recent form8 · 7W 1D 0L
2026-07-19World Cup 2026HESP 1-0 ARGW
2026-07-14World Cup 2026AESP 2-0 FRAW
2026-07-10World Cup 2026HESP 2-1 BELW
2026-07-06World Cup 2026AESP 1-0 PORW
2026-07-02World Cup 2026HESP 3-0 AUTW
2026-06-27World Cup 2026AESP 1-0 URUW
2026-06-21World Cup 2026HESP 4-0 KSAW
2026-06-15World Cup 2026HESP 0-0 CPVD
International friendly matches are excluded
N2 · Scoring
open play 81%

How they score

Spain relies heavily on open play to generate their scoring output. With over 80% of their goals originating from open play, they demonstrate a consistent ability to break down defenses through sustained possession. Their set-piece efficiency also remains notably higher than the field average, providing a reliable secondary threat.

Goal source · share of play-type-classified goals
80.8%
Open play80.8%Counter1.3%Corner11.5%Free kick6.4%
18% set piececorner + free kick
Effectiveness · conversion by source vs benchmark
Open play19%avg 20%-1 pts
64 goals from 336 shots.
Set piece16%avg 4.5%+12 pts
14 goals from 87 shots.
benchmark average higher than field by 3+ pts lower than field by 3+ pts
Goal-source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values; own goals are excluded.
+Top scorers · still a threat?59% intact

59% of listed scorer goals come from players still marked in the squad.

Mikel Oyarzabalin squad11 · 9%
Mikel Merinoin squad9 · 7%
Álvaro Borja Morata Martínout7 · 6%
Álvaro Morataout7 · 6%
N3 · Conceding
open play 78%

How they concede

Spain's defensive structure is most frequently breached through open play. With nearly 78% of classified goals originating from open play, opponents may find success by prioritizing quick transitions and sustained pressure in the final third. While set-piece volume is lower, the higher conversion rate against Spain suggests that disciplined dead-ball delivery remains a viable secondary threat.

Conceded goal source · share of play-type-classified goals
77.8%
Open play77.8%Counter3.7%Corner7.4%Free kick11.1%
19% set piece concededcorner + free kick
Effectiveness · conceded conversion by source vs benchmark
Open play13%avg 20%-7 pts
22 conceded from 170 shots faced.
Set piece10%avg 4.5%+6 pts
5 conceded from 48 shots faced.
benchmark average lower than field by 3+ pts higher than field by 3+ pts
Conceded source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values.
N4 · Big moments
beats ranking · +1.25 GD residual

Better than their rating?

Spain consistently outperforms their Elo-based expectations with a significant positive goal difference residual. While their high volatility suggests occasional susceptibility to upsets, their ability to exceed baseline projections positions them as a formidable force above the field median.

Over-performance DNA · beats-its-rating × reliability, the tournament field
Beats rating -><- Falls shortVolatile ^Reliable vHigh-ceilingwildcardVolatileunderachieverReliablyoverdeliversReliablybelow par-1.7-0.90+0.9+1.70.81.41.92.5Beats its Elo rating by (goals/match) ->NORHAICODESP
ESPTournament field · 48solid line = rating-neutral · dashed = field-median reliability100 Elo ~= -0.37 goals
+Biggest over- & under-performances61 matches
Residual = actual goal difference minus what the Elo gap predicted.
vs CRC · 2022-11-23GD +7 vs exp +0.97+6.03
vs TUR · 2025-09-07GD +6 vs exp +0.38+5.62
vs GEO · 2023-09-08GD +6 vs exp +0.84+5.16
vs SCO · 2023-03-28GD -2 vs exp +0.47-2.47
vs POR · 2025-06-08GD -2 vs exp -0.43-1.57
vs JPN · 2022-12-01GD -1 vs exp +0.44-1.44