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With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, we take a look back at all the key statistics and trends from the previous edition of the tournament.
France defeated Croatia in the final. But who scored the most goals? Who kept the most clean sheets? And how many own goals were scored? Let’s find out.
2018 World Cup Goal Stats
- Total Games Played – 64
- Total Goals Scored – 169
- Goals Per Game Average – 2.64
- Hat-Tricks – 2
- Braces – 10
- Penalty Kicks Scored – 22
- Own Goals Scored – 12
169 goals were scored across 64 games , meaning the tournament averaged 2.64 goals per game. 22 of those goals were penalties, while 12 were own goals.
Two players scored a hat-trick at the 2018 World Cup – England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. There were also ten braces, including two from Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku.
Team Stats for the 2018 World Cup
- Most Goals Scored – 16 (Belgium)
- Fewest Goals Scored – 2 (12 Teams)
- Most Goals Conceded – 11 (Panama)
- Fewest Goals Conceded – 2 (3 Teams)
- Most Clean Sheets – 4 (France)
As you can see, Belgium scored more goals than any other side. The Red Devils netted 16 goals across seven clashes, meaning they averaged 2.29 goals per game.
12 sides scored just two goals, while three teams conceded two goals. On the flip side, Panama finished the tournament with the worst defensive record after conceding 11 goals in three outings.
France kept the most clean sheets en route to lifting the trophy, achieving shutouts against Peru, Denmark, Uruguay and Belgium.
2018 World Cup Top Goalscorers
- Harry Kane, England – 6
- Romelu Lukaku, Belgium – 4
- Antoine Griezmann, France – 4
- Kylian Mbappe, France – 4
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal – 4
- Denis Cheryshev, Russia – 4
Kane clinched the Golden Boot after scoring six goals, while five players netted four goals. Seven players bagged three goals last time around, while 13 players scored twice.
FIFA All-Star Team for 2018
- Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
- Andreas Granqvist, Sweden
- Thiago Silva, Brazil
- Raphael Varane, France
- Yerry Mina, Colombia
- Denis Cheryshev, Russia
- Philippe Coutinho, Brazil
- Luka Modric, Croatia
- Harry Kane, England
- Antoine Griezmann, France
- Eden Hazard, Belgium
After the tournament, FIFA published their All-Star Team based on player performances evaluated through statistical data. Unsurprisingly, Golden Ball winner Luka Modric made the XI.
Golden Glove winner Thibaut Courtois was also selected, along with FIFA Young Player of the Tournament Kylian Mbappe.
