Argentina Tops 31-Team World Cup Rankings After Round of 32 Start, Ahead of France and Spain
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 29
Argentina Tops 31-Team World Cup Rankings After Round of 32 Start, Ahead of France and Spain
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 29
Summary
Argentina moved to No. 1 in a fresh ranking of the 31 teams still alive after the Round of 32 began, with France second, Spain third and England fourth.
Three group-stage wins and first-half opening goals in all 3 matches drove Argentina's rise, along with what was described as the easiest quarterfinal path among the title favorites.
France made the strongest case to challenge for the top spot after winning all 3 group games with a plus-8 goal difference, while Spain's underlying numbers included a 49-9 shot edge and 4.3-0.4 expected-goals margin against two group opponents.
England stayed in the top tier after a dominant second half against Croatia, but concerns remain over breaking down low blocks before a likely path through DR Congo and either Mexico or Ecuador.
Below the top four, Colombia ranked fifth as the leading first-time-title candidate, while Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal and the United States rounded out the top 10.