Vincenzo Montella’s side have failed to score so far at this World Cup despite attempting 62 shots – which, according to Opta, is the most attempts without a goal in any two-match span in the competition on record (since 1966).
Not only did Turkey have a ridiculous amount of chances, they also dominated the ball in both their games.
Against Australia, they had 71.6% possession and against Paraguay it was 78.5%. They were helped in the second game by the fact they were facing 10 men, but they were the dominant team even before Almiron was given his marching orders.
They also had a higher xG than their opponents in both games with 1.33 in the game against Australia, who had 0.77 but scored twice.
Their xG against Paraguay was 2.1 to the South Americans’ 0.32. And they had more than 100 touches in their opponents’ penalty area across the two games.
For 180 minutes they have attacked, entertained – and done almost everything other than score.
The critical eye would point to the fact they had just 13 shots on target across the two games.
Yet it is remarkable, given the share of play they have had, that they have not scored in two games – and are heading home no matter the result against USA next week.
