The purpose of this thesis was to analyse the goals scored at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (hereinafter WC) in Russia, as well as to determine their principal characteristics. We also tried to establish the importance of the first goal, possession of the ball and the average distance run by each national team at the WC. The results of our analysis were compared to those of 2010 WC in South Africa and of 2014 WC in Brazil, in order to determine the possible differences and/or trends in the manner of scoring goals. The number of matches played was 64, while the number of goals scored was 169. With an average of 2,64 goals per match, this WC boasts the third highest average after the 1998 WC in France and the 2014 WC in Brazil.
The footages of goals scored were closely reviewed multiple times and the frequency of individual variables recorded in pre-arranged forms. The data gathered was then put through Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 21 programs and processed with basic procedures of descriptive statistics. We also tried to establish certain correlations between some of the variables. The results of the analysis were displayed and appropriately interpreted in graphical form.
The analysis led us to the following conclusions:
- The biggest share of goals was scored by forwards (36,69 %), with the first touch (68,75 %) in the period between the 46th and 60th minute (19,53 %).
- National teams scored 43,20 % of the goals through set pieces, which is the highest percentage in the history of WC in the current format. Passes to the side of the field (57,58 %) and to the centre of the penalty box (51,52 %) proved to be the most effective. The number of goals scored from the penalty spot was also the highest in history (22).
- Most of the goals were scored from a distance between 5 and 11 meters from the goal (36,09%), from the middle of the goal (47,41 %) to the far corner (41,48 %). 73,96 % of the goals were scored with a leg, usually the right one (62,40 %) with the most used shooting technique being with the instep (inside part of the foot) (29,30 %).
- The national team which was the first to score was victorious in 73,01 % of the cases and did not lose in 92,06 % of the cases.
- Most of the attacks were initiated in the middle third of the pitch (40,63 %) and lasted for 17 seconds or more (45,83 %), while including 0 to 3 passes (35,42 %).
- The final placing in the WC showed a high negative correlation (- 0,850) with the average number of goals scored per match, a medium correlation (0,627) with the average number goals conceded per match and a medium correlation (0,669) with efficiency of shots on goal.
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