World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Defensive Stats: Most Tackles, Interceptions, Clearances, Aerial Wins, Duels Won
Ben McAleer
The World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are done and dusted as France, Spain, England and Argentina all booked their semi-final spot at the expense of Morocco, Belgium, Norway and Switzerland, respectively.
With that, it’s time to run through the defensive stat leaders from the quarter-finals, with tackles, interceptions, clearances, aerial duels won and duels won the focus.
World Cup Quarter-finals Top Tackler: Andreas Schjelderup’s tireless work rate
Not only did Andreas Schjelderup score Norway’s only goal of the game in their quarter-final defeat to England, the 22-year-old worked tirelessly off the ball to help his side.
The Benfica man managed more tackles (6) than any other player in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. Compatriot Julian Ryerson was hot on his heels having made four tackles, while Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez also made four in their 3-1 win over Switzerland.
Not only did the Manchester United centre-back also make four tackles, he did so having returned a 100% success rate. The Switzerland frontline just couldn’t get the better of the Argentine defender.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Most Tackles
Player | Tackles |
|---|---|
Andreas Schjelderup | 6 |
Julian Ryerson | 4 |
Lisandro Martinez | 4 |
Bilal El Khannouss | 3 |
Anass Salah-Eddine | 3 |
Bukayo Saka | 3 |
Dayot Upamecano | 3 |
Remo Freuler | 3 |
Lionel Messi | 3 |
Patrick Berg | 3 |
World Cup Quarter-finals Top Interceptor: Alexis Mac Allister Argentina’s hero on and off the ball
As Argentina booked their World Cup 2026 semi-final spot, Alexis Mac Allister was one of the 2022 champions’ star players both on and off the ball.
The Liverpool midfielder scored his nation’s opening goal on their way to a 3-1 win over Switzerland. He also made more interceptions (4) than any other player in the quarter-finals of the competition.
France pair Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne each made three interceptions each as Les Bleus booked a semi-final spot at Morocco’s expense.
A further 12 players made two interceptions in the quarter-finals.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Most Interceptions
Player | Interceptions |
|---|---|
Alexis Mac Allister | 4 |
Adrien Rabiot | 3 |
Lucas Digne | 3 |
Brahim Diaz | 2 |
Rodrigo De Paul | 2 |
Nahuel Molina | 2 |
Ezri Konsa | 2 |
Brandon Mechele | 2 |
Issa Diop | 2 |
Jeremy Doku | 2 |
World Cup Quarter-finals Top Clearance Maker: Proactive Swiss star Nico Elvedi shines despite defeat
Switzerland did well to take their quarter-final tie with Argentina to extra time having been reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute.
It was a backs-to-the-wall performance from the European nation, but centre-back Nico Elvedi did all he could to aid his side. Indeed, he made more clearances (11) than any other player.
Belgium pair Nathan Ngoy (9) and Brandon Mechele (8) round off the top three, while John Stones managed seven clearances in England’s win over Norway.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Most Clearances
Player | Clearances |
|---|---|
Nico Elvedi | 11 |
Nathan Ngoy | 9 |
Brandon Mechele | 8 |
John Stones | 7 |
Nicolas Otamendi | 6 |
Jules Kounde | 5 |
William Saliba | 5 |
Pau Cubarsi | 5 |
Kristoffer Ajer | 5 |
Djed Spence | 4 |
World Cup Quarter-finals Top Aerial Winner: Charles De Ketelaere dominates Spain’s defence
Belgium are the only side to have scored against Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Charles De Ketelaere netted the Red Devils’ equaliser in an eventual 2-1 loss to the Euro 2024 winners.
The Atalanta man headed Belgium level in the first half in Friday’s quarter-final tie, and he ultimately dominated the Spain backline, winning more aerial duels (5) than any other player in the last round of the tournament.
Despite only coming on for the final 12 minutes of normal time, Nico Gonzalez ranked second for aerial wins (4), while Nicolas Otamendi completed the top three with three aerial wins.
The Benfica centre-back only played 12 minutes against Switzerland, yet shone in the air to guarantee progression to the semi-finals.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Most Aerial Wins
Player | Aerial duels won |
|---|---|
Charles De Ketelaere | 5 |
Nico Gonzalez | 4 |
Nicolas Otamendi | 3 |
Jules Kounde | 3 |
Ezri Konsa | 3 |
Brandon Mechele | 3 |
Cristian Romero | 3 |
Erling Haaland | 3 |
Harry Kane | 3 |
Jean-Philippe Mateta | 2 |
World Cup Quarter-finals Top Duel Winner: Jeremy Doku leads Lionel Messi and Michael Olise
Jeremy Doku worked his socks off both on and off the ball in Belgium’s 2-1 loss to Spain. The Manchester City wing-wizard was a constant threat down the flank for Rudi Garcia’s side.
While it was all in vain as Belgium fell to defeat, Doku still won more duels (11) than any other player in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2026.
Doku pipped Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez and Michael Olise (all 10) to top spot, while Lamine Yamal (9) ranked fifth.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals Most Duels Won
Player | Duels won |
|---|---|
Jeremy Doku | 11 |
Lionel Messi | 10 |
Lisandro Martinez | 10 |
Michael Olise | 10 |
Lamine Yamal | 9 |
Azzedine Ounahi | 8 |
Jude Bellingham | 8 |
Alexis Mac Allister | 7 |
Anthony Gordon | 7 |
Nicolas Tagliafico | 7 |
