Croatia 2–1 Ghana

The xG verdict

Croatia edged a balanced game 2–1 (0.42–0.64 xG).

Quick answers

ResultWho won Croatia vs Ghana?
Croatia won 2–1. The xG was Croatia 0.42, Ghana 0.64.
Better xGWho had the better xG in Croatia vs Ghana?
The xG was close to level (Croatia 0.42, Ghana 0.64), so Croatia's 2–1 win was narrow rather than a major points-vs-xPts swing.
Fair resultWas Croatia 2–1 Ghana fair by xG?
Mostly. The winner was not clearly ahead on xG, but the chance gap was small enough that this was a close result rather than a robbery.
Biggest xG takeawayWhat was the biggest xG takeaway?
Croatia took 3 points from 1.06 xPts (Δ +1.94), the biggest points-vs-chances swing in the match.
Ranking contextWas Croatia 2–1 Ghana a published FIFA ranking upset?
Not on the scoreboard, but the lower-ranked side had the stronger xG profile. Ghana entered 45th of 48 in the World Cup field; Croatia entered 11th of 48. Ghana lost after Croatia 2–1 Ghana despite leading xG 0.64–0.42.
Group L story

Croatia finished second despite a negative xG profile: Croatia took 6 points from 3.47 xPts and a 2.77-4.39 xG profile. The swing was beating Ghana despite Ghana edging that match 0.64-0.42 on xG.

Score2–1
Expected goals (xG)Croatia 0.42 · Ghana 0.64
Expected points (xPts)Croatia 1.06 · Ghana 1.49
StageGroup L
Published FIFA rankCroatia FIFA #11 (11th of 48) · Ghana FIFA #73 (45th of 48)

Who had the better xG in Croatia vs Ghana?

By expected goals, Croatia vs Ghana was a near-even contest — Croatia 0.42 xG, Ghana 0.64. Croatia took the points 2–1, but the underlying chances were close to level. In expected points, Croatia earned 1.06 and Ghana 1.49 from this game; the actual return was 3 and 0 (Δ +1.94 for Croatia, -1.49 for Ghana).

Was Croatia lucky or unlucky?

Croatia were clinical in front of goal — 2 goals from 0.42 xG, and conceded about what their defending deserved (1 from 0.64 xGA). On balance a fortunate return — more than the chances merited (Δ +1.94).

Was Ghana lucky or unlucky?

Ghana were about on script in attack — 1 from 0.64 xG, but punished at the back, shipping 2 from only 0.42 xGA faced. On balance their result return trailed the chances (Δ -1.49).

What Croatia 2–1 Ghana means for Group L

Croatia sit 2nd in Group L on 6 points (3.47 xPts, Δ +2.53); Ghana sit 3rd on 4 points (3.66 xPts, Δ +0.34). See the full Group L table →

27 June xG recap · Croatia · Ghana · xG robberies · stat leaders · ← All results