25 goals from 16 games
Prior to kick-off last week, a number of the world’s top goalkeepers expressed their concern with the Jabulani football. After the first round of clashes (involving 16 games) only 25 goals have been scored. That’s a measly 1.56 goals per game.
Lowest number in recent history
Worryingly this is the lowest amount of goals netted in the opening leg of games since the 1986 tournament. In Mexico, 24 goals were scored. However back in 1986 only 24 teams participated in the finals. Therefore 12 games were played in the opening leg (a nice clean average of 2 goals per game).
Six 1-0 games
This World Cup has also produced the highest number of 1-0 fixtures. Six of the first sixteen games ended 1-0. There were also two goal-less draws.
Germany are the best starters
Just like their cars, the Germans are reliable starters. If you want goals, it’s Germany’s opening match you need to go watch. Their comfortable 4-0 win against Australia was preceded in 2006 with a 4-2 drubbing of Costa Rica and in 2002 an 8-0 pasting of Saudi Arabia.
The crown for slowest starters
Italy have long been labelled the kings of starting poorly. However if you check the history books France are actually the biggest villains in not scoring goals from the get go. In their last three tournaments France has not managed to net a goal in their opening game. Things get more dire when you consider that in the last three opening French games only one goal has been scored.
Bouba Diop of Senegal has the distinction of scoring a goal in 270 minutes of French World Cup openers. He’s scored in the 30th minute.
| France opening game | ||
| 2010 | France 0 | Uruguay 0 |
| 2006 | France 0 | Switzerland 0 |
| 2002 | France 0 | Senegal 1 |
| 1998 | France 3 | South Africa 0 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | |
| 1986 | France 1 | Canada 0 |
| 1982 | France 1 | England 3 |
| 1978 | France 1 | Italy 2 |
France P7 W2, D2, L3, GF6 GA 6
The above table highlights France’s atrocious record of having played eight opening games (since 1978) for a pathetic couple of wins against South Africa (at home) and Canada (whoopee, don’t the Canucks normally play Ice Hockey?). The table above provides unquestionable proof that France are the worst starters.
You might want to reconsider buying that Peugeot?
Hey Jabulani, where's the goals
Wasn’t the Jabulani ball meant to be a curse for keepers?
It seems the Jabulani football has backfired. It’s not proven advantageous for goalkeepers or attackers alike.
Direct free kicks – has anyone seen a good one?
Can anyone recollect a direct free kick that has genuinely challenged the goalie. Most the ones I’ve seen have clean sailed over the bar. Playing at altitude hasn’t helped.
Maybe the best direct free kick was the one taken by Chilean Matias Fernandez in the opening minutes of their game against Honduras.
Admittedly the best free-kick overall was the one the Italians suffered against Paraguay.
Goals in opening rounds since 1978
| Year | Goals scored | Games played |
Goals/game |
1-0 result | 0-0 result |
| 2010 | 25 | 16 | 1.56 | 6 | 2 |
| 2006 | 39 | 16 | 2.43 | 5 | 2 |
| 2002 | 46 | 16 | 2.875 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 35 | 16 | 2.18 | 4 | 2 |
| 1994 | 30 | 12 | 2.5 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 27 | 12 | 2.25 | 4 | 1 |
| 1986 | 24 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 1982 | 34 | 12 | 2.8 | 2 | 3 |
| 1978 | 22 | 8 | 2.75 | 0 | 1 |
The above table shows the total number of goals scored in the opening round of group play for each World Cup since 1978.
The 2002 Korean and Japanese tournament saw the most goals in opening games, closely followed by Spain in 1982 (bear in mind there were fewer teams at this tournament).
Large wins in both these tournaments helped the goals flow.
On 2002, Germany thrashed Saudia Arabia 8-0. Way back in 1982 Hungary thrashed El Salvador 10-1 and Scotland thought out a 5-2 goal-fest with New Zealand.
Bring back the thrashings!
