As a data-driven analyst who sees beyond the scoreboard, I watched Spain U21’s 2.1 avg xG burn through their group stage—not just wins, but precision. England U21 matched it with grit, but conceded 1.83 goals per game. This isn’t hype; it’s the quiet math behind the chaos: one stat changed everything. The 78th-minute equalizer? A statistical anomaly. The real story? Talent doesn’t win—systems do.