Goals in the World Cup

After 193 goals being scored in all games (including penalties) we have reached the final matches with an expectation to see a goalfest in the finals. The action packed 7 – 1 semi final between Brazil and Germany was one of the biggest thrashings of the tournament. A lot of goals have come in extra-time this World Cup. Teams are finding it difficult to break down defenses but are still managing to score in open play. Lets analyze how the goals have come and from which teams this time.

Goals in Open Play:

Germany have scored 17 goals to date and will probably remain on top of goals scored unless Netherlands score more than 5 at least in the next match. Seeing the weakness of the Brazilian defense in the semis, it could also be possible some would say. However, from all the goals scored in match time and extra time, Germany have needed only 1 penalty, and ironically that was their first goal of the tournament. 14 of their goals have come from open play which speaks about how the Germans have managed to open up defenses. Although they were originally doubted in the strikers department when the team was announced, they have more than proved everyone wrong. With Klose breaking records, Muller in the top for the Golden boot and sequentially decimating Brazil, its pretty evident that the German attack has been their strong point. Also, with goals coming from Hummels, Schurle, Kroos, Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Mario Goetze, das Manschafte have shown how valuable a team game is.

Free-Scoring and Attacking:

The Top 6 teams leading in goals this tournament have scored at least 72% of their goals from open play. This also indicates how open the games have been. Set-pieces have been used to advantage, but the top teams have believed in scoring goals in free-play. This means that all teams are using a more attacking strategy, players are playing less for fouls (We haven’t seen much diving) and managers are getting their attacking strategy correct. The Netherlands and Colombia, have scored a total of 24 goals between them of which only 3 were from the spot. We have seen a positive attitude in the forward line of the more successful teams. Fewer teams are playing a conservative defensive game, although it is still difficult to break through.

Poor Conversions:

The number of attempts on goal for Brazil is currently at 100, with 67 shots on goal. This translates to 11.33 shots on goal per game, but a goal scoring of only 1.83 goals per game. Are teams struggling to finish in the final third? Similarly for Belgium, not so surprisingly at 3^rd in the attempts department, has 91 attempts (with 58 on target) with one game less as they failed to progress beyond the Quarter-Finals. This means 11.6 shots per game but only 1 goal per game scored. This is a poor conversion rate for top teams. We can associate a lot of this to the fact that the goalkeepers (Howard, Neuer, Ochoa and the lot) have done a brilliant job between the posts.

Player Dependancy:

Some teams are still player dependant though. When we look at Argentina’s goals, 5 of the 8 scored have come from Lionel Messi. Similarly half the goals scored for Colombia have come from James Rodriguez. The evolution of football playing styles is now showing the importance of contribution from midfielders and sometimes even defenders (for example at Chelsea last season) in the goals department. With evolution into high work-rate and direct play football, the responsibility of creating opportunities now rests with all players alike, seen from wide runs by No.9s in play and feeding attacking midfielders. The wing backs also playing in more advanced roles provide more opportunities for wingers to get into the box and score goals.

The final two games are still remaining, but we already know what the future of football is shaping into. Managers are changing their styles of play to accommodate flexibility in their strategies. This is evident in the goals scored this tournament and hopefully, all leagues will adopt similar philosophies to make the game of football more attractive and exciting.