The Narrative Layer
Storylines — Ones to Watch
The stories the numbers are telling: the players and squads worth your attention right now, surfaced automatically from the analytics engine — Golden Boot contenders, breakout stars, dark horses and fortresses.
Players to Watch
Auto-curated from form, output and projection
Kylian Mbappé
Forward · France
Kylian Mbappé is France's sharpest weapon and live in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals. When chances fall, Mbappé buries them. But that run is over — eliminated in the semi-finals.
Goals
10
Assists
4
xG+xA
0.30
Boot rank
#1
Lionel Messi
Forward · Argentina
Lionel Messi is Argentina's creative engine — 4 assists, 1.05 xA and 26 key passes. Everything good runs through Messi. They ultimately fell in the final.
Goals
8
Assists
4
xG+xA
1.05
Boot rank
#2
Jude Bellingham
Midfielder · England
At just 22, Jude Bellingham is the breakout name for England — 7G 1A already. A tournament can make a career. But that run is over — eliminated in the semi-finals.
Goals
7
Assists
1
xG+xA
0.80
Boot rank
#4
Orlando Gill
Goalkeeper · Paraguay
Orlando Gill has been Paraguay's wall — 23 saves and 2 clean sheets keeping them in the hunt. Knockout football turns on goalkeepers like this. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.
Goals
0
Assists
0
xG+xA
0
Form
73
Pedro Porro
Defender · Spain
Nobody at Spain is hotter than Pedro Porro right now — a 82 form index across 444 minutes. Catch them while they're flying. They went on to win it all.
Goals
2
Assists
0
xG+xA
0.15
Boot rank
#29
Erling Haaland
Forward · Norway
Erling Haaland is Norway's sharpest weapon and live in the Golden Boot race with 7 goals. When chances fall, Haaland buries them. But that run is over — eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Goals
7
Assists
0
xG+xA
0.45
Boot rank
#3
Squads to Watch
Favourites, dark horses and surprise packages