FIFA WORLD CUP 2022
FIFA World Cup 2022: Of high 5s, stats & records
Here are some quirky facts about this World Cup that you will enjoy reading
The month-long football carnival will come to an end this Sunday – December 18, 2022. While it will be another four years before we see our favourite country play again, let’s enjoy some of the cherished moments during the Qatar FIFA World Cup and ensure these remain a topic of conversation for months to follow.
While some would be sad that their teams did not make the cut, what is important is that you enjoy the game and the unexpected twists and turns it threw and created the wow moments.
Here are interesting statistics and trivia without which football would be lacklustre!
Best goal
While the final results will be announced on Sunday, most fans are of the opinion that Brazil forward Richarlison’s stunner against Serbia is the best goal of the tournament.
Highest goal-scorers
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and French star Kylian Mbappe are tied as the highest goal scorers with five goals each. The second position also witnesses a clash between Argentina and France. French forward Olivier Giroud and Argentine rising star Julian Alavarez are tied with four goals each.
Did you know?
There have been only two own goals so far in the tournament. One by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and the other by Morocco’s Nayef Aguerd.
Only hat-trick of the tournament!
Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos has scored the only hat-trick of the tournament this season over Switzerland.
Too many penalties!
20 penalty kicks have been awarded and 14 have been scored at this World Cup.
It’s a goal!
1. 163 goals have been scored so far.
2. The fastest goal in a match from kick-off time: Scored in the 2nd minute by Canada’s Alphonso Davies against Croatia in the group stage.
3. Most goals have been scored by England and France – 13 goals each. While Costa Rica has conceded the most goals: 11
4. The highest goal scoring match was England vs Iran with a score line of 6-2 respectively.
5. Biggest margin of victory: 7 goals
Spain 7–0 Costa Rica
1. Oldest goal scorer: Pepe for Portugal against Switzerland at 39 years, 283 days
2. Youngest goal scorer: Gavi for Spain against Costa Rica at 18 years, 109 days
Most Draws
Croatia has drawn the most games: 4 games
Old is Gold
Oldest coach: Louis van Gaal (Netherlands) – 71 years and 123 days in the quarter-final game against Argentina.
CR7: The man for all seasons!
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) scored in his fifth World Cup, setting an all-time record for becoming the only player to score in five successive World Cups.
It’s a full house!
The Argentina v Mexico and Argentina versus Croatia match at the Lusail Stadium drew 88,966 spectators, the largest crowd to watch a men’s World Cup match since 91,194 people attended the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Italy at the Rose Bowl in the US.
