It's crunch time for England as they face off against Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals – and it's all about breaching that impenetrable defensive wall. The reigning champions may have shown some softness in their earlier matches, leaking five goals to minnows like Cape Verde, Egypt, and Jordan, but the numbers tell a different story. They boast an impressive average of just 0.52 expected goals conceded per 90 minutes – only bettered by Spain's miserly 0.31.
Lionel Scaloni's side is built on rock-solid foundations, with a staggering 52% of shots faced coming from outside the penalty area – a statistic matched only by Colombia and Uruguay. But what really sets them apart is their ability to shut down opposition attacks at source. Argentina stands alone alongside Ecuador as the only teams in the tournament yet to concede a shot within six yards of goal, an area where opponents are converting at a rate of 27.1% – nearly double that of other penalty box shots.
So how can England hope to breach this fortress? Well, Gareth Southgate's men have shown they've got the knack for creating close-range chances from set pieces – five attempts within the six-yard box so far, including three from corners against Croatia. Jude Bellingham has also proven himself a close-range expert in open play, netting twice from fewer than six yards out against Mexico.
As England's attacking masterminds prepare their game plan to take on Argentina's watertight defence, the spotlight will be on how they exploit this weakness – and set pieces could hold the key. It's a high-stakes showdown that promises to be an instant classic, with only one side emerging victorious in the battle of wits between Southgate and Scaloni.
England need to bring their A-game if they're to reach the World Cup final – and exploiting Argentina's set-piece vulnerability could well be the difference-maker. Will Gareth Southgate's men have what it takes to crack this defensive wall, or will Lionel Scaloni's side prove too strong to break down?