Aside from smashing seven goals past Costa Rica in their opening group fixture, Spain suffocated their opponents in typical La Roja fashion, showing glimpses that mirrored perhaps the greatest international side ever of 2008-2012.
Not only did they enjoy the largest share of possession ever witnessed in a single World Cup game, they also recorded the most completed passes in a 90-minute match at the tournament.
What makes it even more impressive is they very nearly shattered their own personal best of the most completed passes in a World Cup game – a record set during their extra-time and penalties win over Russia four years ago.
i = Group Stage
ii = Round of 16
Elsewhere, only two more winning nations make up the top five teams with the most completed passes:
- Spain vs Costa Rica – 1009
- England vs Iran – 740
- Germany vs Japan – 727
- France vs Australia – 678
- Croatia vs Morocco – 581
In this article we will delve deeper into which players are pulling the strings and connecting the play with the most completed passes so far at this year’s World Cup; 40% of the top 10 are made up of Spanish players after they smothered Costa Rica.
Most Completed Passes at the 2022 World Cup
10 – Cesar Azpilicueta: 100 Completed Passes
Sneaking into the top 10, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta registered exactly 100 passes out of 107 attempted.
Along with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, he is one of just three players aged 30 or over in the budding young Spanish starting eleven that featured against Costa Rica.
9 – Luke Shaw: 101 Completed Passes
With just one more completed pass than Azpilicueta, England’s Luke Shaw is one of two Three Lions players to feature in the top 10 highest passers in the tournament so far.
Often providing the link on the left-flank with midfield duo Jude Bellingham and Delcan Rice, as well as bombing ahead of Raheem Sterling at every opportunity, the Manchester United full-back was heavily involved in the 6-2 thrashing of Iran, completing 85.6% of his attempted passes.
- Luke Shaw to Give 1 or More Assist vs USA @ 7/2 with Virgin Bet
8 – Josko Gvardiol: 102 Completed Passes
RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, who was the subject of strong interest from a whole host of Europe’s elite clubs over the summer, was the first port of call for Croatia in their opening game stalemate.
Croatia dominated possession and failed to find the breakthrough, but their 20-year-old prodigy was at the heart of every push forward, registering four progressive passes and two passes that entered the final 1/3 of the pitch.
7 – Nico Schlotterbeck: 107 Completed Passes
Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat against Japan has left their fans fearing for the worst, bringing up nightmares of their group stage exit in 2018.
It certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying however, with the 2014 champions registering 26 shots and enjoying 74% possession.
📸 – This is how Japan celebrated the equalizer vs Germany! pic.twitter.com/H41KBjdKTR
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 23, 2022
Borussia Dortmund’s 22-year-old centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck completed 89.9% of his 115 attempted passes.
More impressively, he completed six progressive passes including nine into the final 1/3.
6 – Antonio Rudiger: 108 Completed Passes
Alongside Scholtterbeck was former Chelsea now-Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who finished the defeat at the hands of Japan with a 93.9% pass completion rate.
However, it would seem his compatriot in defence was the more progressive of the two, with Rudiger’s role as the enforcer seeing him only compete four progressive passes.
5 – Jordi Alba: 111 Completed Passes
Another of Spain’s veterans Jordi Alba managed to register some impressive passing stats against Costa Rica.
Despite exiting the field on 64 minutes, the Barcelona left-back registered one assist, nine passes into the final 1/3 and nine progressive passes.
Not bad for a player who has been cast out for his club side this season.
4 – Dayot Upemecano: 114 Completed Passes
The first and only French player to make it onto the list, but Dayot Upemecano boasts perhaps the most all-encompassing passing game of any of pass-masters on this list.
The towering Bayern Munich defender not only completed 95% of his attempted passes against Australia, but also registered an incredible 16 into the final 1/3, showing how integral the 24-year-old is in France’s build-up play.
As well as this, he made 10 progressive passes and finished the match with a 100% short pass completion rate.
3 – John Stones: 116 Completed Passes
John Stones game has improved immeasurably under the guidance of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, making him a nailed-on inclusion for Gareth Southgate’s England starting 11.
Guardiola’s imprint on his possession and passing attributes are clear to see, and against Iran Stones completed all but one of his 117 attempted passes.
Not only this he had a 100% completion rate for short and medium passes, as well as making seven passes into the final 1/3 and six progressive passes; no doubt an instrumental part of England’s hugely satisfying rhythmic possession-based win over Iran.
2 – Rodri: 138 Completed Passes
Both of Spain’s starting centre-backs complete the top 10 passes of the tournament so far.
Although Rodri featured in a somewhat unfamiliar position as the heart of defence, the Manchester City midfielder was typically tidy in possession, swivelling his way out of dangerous situations with Busquets-style grace.
100% of his 48 short passes found their intended target, while an incredible 82 of 85 medium passes were completed successfully.
1 – Aymeric Laporte – 144 Completed Passes
The outright pass-master at this year’s World Cup so far is Aymeric Laporte.
It is incredible to think the Manchester City defender was forced to switch allegiances after consistently failing to break into the France squad.
Nonetheless, Spanish manager Luis Enrique has benefited immensely with one of the most immaculate ball playing defender in world football demonstrating his talents with a nigh-flawless performance against Costa Rica.
A 96% completion rate included an incredible 91 of 92 successful medium passes, as well as one key pass, six progressive passes and nine into the final third.
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