Analysis of FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup match performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament
A summary of the research:
The article "Analysis of FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup Match Performance According to Match Outcome and Phase of the Tournament" explores the relationship between match performance indicators and their influence on game outcomes (win, loss, draw) during different phases of the tournament. The study analyzed 64 matches, involving 32 national teams, and measured performance variables such as possession, passing accuracy, attempts on goal, and defensive pressure. The results indicate that winning teams exhibited greater possession, completed more passes, and had higher success rates in final third receptions and defensive line breaks. Conversely, losing teams applied more defensive pressure but had lower success in offensive metrics. Interestingly, the phase of the tournament (group vs. knockout) had little effect on most variables, though some interactions were noted, such as a decrease in attempts on goal and passing efficiency during the knockout stages.
The study emphasizes the importance of possession, passing, and offensive pressure as key factors in determining match outcomes. Winning teams consistently demonstrated better control and offensive success compared to their losing counterparts. The analysis also revealed that losing teams often applied more pressure but failed to convert these efforts into effective offensive plays, highlighting the need for balanced performance across all areas of the field to secure positive results.
Key Takeaways:
Winning teams focus on possession and offensive efficiency: Teams that won showed significantly higher possession, more successful passes, and better final third entries.
Losing teams apply more pressure: While losing teams exerted more defensive pressure, this did not translate into offensive success.
Tournament phase has limited impact: Match performance remained relatively consistent across group and knockout stages, with few significant differences in key performance indicators.
Authors: José M. Oliva-Lozano, Farzad Yousefian, Paweł Chmura, Tim J. Gabbett & Rick Cost
You can read the entire article here.
