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We’re into the heart of the World Cup knockout stages now.
And yesterday gave us two contrasting lessons in how to be the most important player on the pitch.
Erling Haaland barely touched the ball against Ivory Coast and still won the game with one instinctive finish, while Michael Olise touched almost everything against Sweden as France purred into the last 16. We examine the data behind both of their magisterial performances.
We've also got a quiz on France's missing men from Qatar 2022, and today’s Ask Opta question looks at how long a manager needs in charge before winning a World Cup.
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☝ STAT - One Touch is All It Takes
Norway had never won a World Cup knockout game before Tuesday. Now they have, and - cue audible gasps - Erling Haaland was the reason they got over the line.
It was another typical Haaland performance. For long stretches against Ivory Coast, you'd barely have known he was on the pitch.
He had just 27 touches in the game, the fewest of any outfield starter who played more than an hour, and Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland even touched the ball 16 more times than the Man City forward. Haaland spent more time defending set-pieces in his own box than causing problems in the opposition’s.
Then, in the 86th minute, he did what he always does. Got himself into a brilliant scoring position due to his movement, anticipation and instinct for goal. With one touch, a tap-in, he put Norway back in front and through to the last 16.