Analysis of the offensive patterns of the Spanish National Soccer Team in the 2010 FIFA® World Cup, in relation to match status

Abstract

This paper aimed to analyze the tactical behavior of Spain National Football Team during the FIFA(r) World Cup, in four different match statuses: Draw, Win+1, Win+2, and Loss-1. The sample comprised 894 offensive sequences performed over Spain's seven matches during the tournament. Data analysis was performed through observations of video footage recorded from a TV station. Following variables were analyzed of play: Achievement time of the attack, Number of contacts with the ball, Number of balls received/Number of passes, Ball transmission speed, Location of acquisition and recovery of ball possession and Form of acquisition and recovery of ball possession. Descriptive statistics were conducted, and so were Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance level was set to p < 0.05. Significant differences were found for the following variables: "ball transmission speed", "location and form of acquisition and recovery of ball possession". In conclusion, it was possible to infer that the tactical behavior of the Spanish team underwent few modifications during the tournament regarding match status.