Scoring fever in the World Cup: 121 goals in 40 games

The 2026 World Cup registers 25% more goals than in 2022; the ball and added time are key.

Publicado 2 days ago el 23 de junio a las 03:33 | 2 mins reading |280 vistas | por Miguel Torres

The 2026 World Cup is breaking scoring records. In the first 40 games, 121 goals have been scored, 25% more than in the same period of Qatar 2022. The average per game is three goals, and only three duels ended without goals.

What is the reason for this increase?

FIFA attributes part of the phenomenon to the new ball, designed with deep seams for “optimal stability in flight.” Players and coaches agree that the ball shoots out at high speed. “He’s as fast as a cannonball,” Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said. “If you kick in the right position, it’s extremely difficult to save.”

The added time also plays a role. Hydration breaks, new in this tournament, lengthen matches and generate more opportunities. In addition, the expansion to 48 teams increased the talent gap between the teams.

Protagonist leagues and clubs

More than half of the goals were scored by players from the three main European leagues: England (28), Germany (16) and Spain (11). The Premier League tops the list. In the Netherlands 5-1 Sweden duel, the six goals were scored by players who play in the Premier League.

“The Premier League is more intense than this World Cup,” commented Arsenal’s Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli. “But it is still a very nice tournament, with high quality matches.”

Real Madrid has six goals (three from Mbappé, two from Vinícius Júnior, one from Bellingham). Liverpool contributes five; Bayern Munich, four. Lionel Messi, with Inter Miami, scored a hat trick in Argentina’s debut and two more later. The MLS registers eight goals in total.

Record within reach?

The current tournament is on track to surpass the 172 goals of Qatar 2022. Although the comparison is not exact – this year there are 104 games compared to 64 – the current pace projects 194 goals in 64 games. The trend was already seen in the Champions League: 3.47 goals per game last season, a historical record.

With 88 different scorers and eight own goals, the offensive party does not let up. The World Cup continues to show that, when there is talent and a ball that flies, the rival goal is always in danger.

Sports

Mexican team signs perfect group stage with victory

Mexico closes the group stage perfectly with a 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic.

Publicado 1 hour ago el 25 de junio a las 03:16 | 2 mins reading

El Tricolor closes undefeated and without goals against

The Mexican National Team completed an impeccable group stage. With the 3-0 win over the Czech Republic, they added their third win and finished as the absolute leader. Javier Aguirre’s campaign prioritizes results over spectacle, and it works for him: 11 games without losing and zero goals conceded in the tournament.

The Mexico City Stadium vibrated with 80,824 spectators. The team arrived at the last duel with a guaranteed place in the second round, which allowed them to rotate players and give minutes to Memo Ochoa, a request from the fans.

The goals came in the second half: Mateo Chávez at 55, Julián Quiñones at 61 and Álvaro Fidalgo at 90+4. The victory was not brilliant, but it was overwhelming.

The night of Memo Ochoa

In the end, Ochoa was left alone in the area, leaning on the penalty spot. He cried for a few seconds until the entire team came to hug him. It was his night, a recognition of more than 20 years of experience.

Mexico achieved what it had never done before: win all its group stage matches. The streets of the capital, its squares and the Colossus of Santa Úrsula exude excitement. Good football is the least important thing; effectiveness rules.

Sports

South Africa surprises and displaces South Korea in Group A

South Africa beats South Korea 1-0 and places second in Group A.

Publicado 1 hour ago el 25 de junio a las 02:57 | 1 min reading

South African victory in the Steel Giant

The South African team gave the surprise of the day by narrowly beating South Korea at the Monterrey stadium. The result shakes the sector and places the South Africans as second in Group A, led by Mexico.

The winning goal

After an intense but goalless first half, due to the defensive order of both teams, the African team broke the scoreless score in the second half. Taphelo Maseko drilled Kim Seung-gyu’s goal in the 63rd minute, unleashing euphoria in the stands.

Impact on the table

With this victory, “Bafana Bafana” add four points and move South Korea to third place, with three points. Furthermore, the combination of results sentenced the fate of the bloc: the Czech Republic was prematurely eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

Sports

Guillermo Ochoa receives tribute in his possible last game with Mexico

The goalkeeper entered the 77th minute to a deafening ovation at the Mexico City Stadium.

Publicado 1 hour ago el 25 de junio a las 02:37 | 2 mins reading

Tribute at the Colossus of Santa Úrsula

The Mexico City Stadium became a recognition platform for Guillermo Ochoa. The 39-year-old goalkeeper entered in the 77th minute of the friendly due to his possible last participation with the Mexican National Team. The fans broke out in a cheer that echoed in every corner of the building.

Coach Javier Aguirre had warned that the changes would be for performance, not courtesy. However, it determined Ochoa’s entry right after Julián Quiñones’ goal. Raúl Rangel gave up his place, and Edson Álvarez gave him the captain’s badge as a sign of respect.

In the 79th minute, the goalkeeper touched his first ball. The stands celebrated it as if it were a goal. The chants of “Oe, oe, oe, Memo, Memo” were heard without interruption. Ochoa raised his hands thanking the people for their affection.

With this appearance, the goalkeeper extended his record: he actively participated in his fourth World Cup, after starting in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and being on the bench in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He thus completes six World Cups, a mark he shares only with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ochoa closes this cycle accompanied by the coaching staff, his teammates and a fan who considers him a symbol of Mexican soccer. His legacy remains intact.