Top 5 formations used at the World Cup

4-2-3-1

Portugal v Spain: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

By far and away the most prolific formation at World Cup 2018 has been the 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been deployed by more than half the teams that have taken the field so far in Russia.

One of the chief reasons for this is that it is an immensely versatile system, able to perform a number of different functions in a fluid framework. Consequently, the teams who use this system can do so in many different ways.

What has emerged over the course of the tournament, at least from a couple of the big European sides, is a move away from a ‘false 9’ towards a more traditional center forward capable of playing with his back to goal. France favour this formation with Olivier Giroud, while Germany used it as their system of choice when in crisis mode against both Mexico and Sweden, throwing Mario Gomez off the bench.

If a more mobile focal point is used, however, it simply increases the versatility of the formation and can make it difficult for opposing defenders to decide who to pick up and when. Used in this manner, the whole of the front four can potentially rotate.

The use of the wide players is also important in determining the character of this particular formation. Portugal have deployed it in a very aggressive manner by using both Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma, but equally harder working more defensive players can be used to provide greater solidarity for a team.

It is this versatility that has made it such a popular formation.