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Analysis of goals scored in the 2006 world cup

Article · January 2009

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41 Analysis of goals scored in the
2006 World Cup

M.F. Acar,1 B.Yapicioglu,1 N.Arikan,2

S.Yalcin,1 N. Ates1 and M. Ergun1
1
School of Physical Education and Sports, Ege University of Izmir, Turkey;
2
Notational Analysis of Vestel Manisaspor F.C. Manisa, Turkey

Introduction
Football is a branch of sports watched by a wide range of spectators today’. The
rapid advance of technological and scientific studies, and the sport reaching a
wide range of locations means a large number of people have an interest in this
area (Yapicioglu, 2002). Soccer is not only a game, but a professional sport, the
object of scientific research, an exciting spectacle and a commercial activity
(Ali, 1988).
Football is the world’s favourite sport, played by over 240 million players in
1.4 million teams and in 300,000 clubs across the world. Every four years, the
spotlight of world attention is on the month-long FIFA World Cup, when billions
of people in more than 200 countries around the world tune in to watch arguably
the biggest show on earth. The World Cup is the greatest prize in association
football. The soccer World Cup provides an opportunity to examine the best
teams and players in the world. In addition to the physiological, psychological
and anthropometric research of recent years, the analysis of the performance
of football players in the field in terms of techniques and tactics has become
popular.
Notational analysis is utilized in many sports and is viewed as an important
process which allows coaches to collect objective information to provide
feedback on performance (Franks, 1997). Day-by-day, the importance of
analysis in football is increasingly recognized. During a match approximately
1000 changes of activity take place – a change of activity every 5.65 s (Reilly,
1996). One of the most important aspects of the coaching process is the analysis
of individual and team performance (Ali, 1988) and match analysis provides a
means of quantifying some performance variables.
The purpose of this research is to analyze the goals scored in the World Cup
in Germany in 2006. Another aim is to compare observations with previous
World Cup results.
236  Acar, Yapicioglu, Arikan, Yalcin, Ates and Ergun
Methods
Altogether there were 64 matches in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. All of these
matches were recorded through the medium of a DVD recorder. Whilst the teams
scored goals in 57 matches, 7 of these matches ended without any score. The
analysis of the goals scored and their download onto a computer were achieved
using the Muna Match Analysis program. All goals were analysed using DVD
players which had stop, slow and fast-forward functions and use of a special
computer program. The results were interpreted by taking the mathematical
averages of the data acquired and comparing these with the averages from the
previous World Cups.
The following criteria were taken into consideration during the analysis of
the goals:

1 which part of the body was used to score the goal score;
2 from which position the goal was scored;
3 the area in which the goal was scored (inside/outside the penalty area);
4 when the goals were scored;
5 the distribution of the goals during the ;
6 the number of passes before the goal;
7 the period of the goal attacks (how long the goal attacks lasted);
8 the distribution of the players scoring goals according to the parts of the
pitch.

Results
In all, 147 goals were scored in all of the 64 matches in 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Only in 7 of these matches were no goals scored. The goal average per match
was 2.29.
While 80 per cent of the goals were scored using the foot, 20 per cent were
headed (Figure 41.11). In all, 72 per cent of the goals scored by kicking were
from right-foot kicks (85); 28 per cent of them were from left-foot (33) kicks.
Of the 147 goals (92), 63 per cent were from open play. Altogether, 37 per
cent (55) of goals were scored after a set play, mainly following free kicks (Figure
41.2).
Of 134 goals scored, 79 per cent were from kicks made within the penalty
area.
When the goals scored were analysed according to time in the game, the
period in which most goals were scored in 76th–90th minutes of play (see Table
41.1). This figure accounts for 24 per cent (35) for all goals scored.
Of the 136 goals scored, 93 per cent were within the normal period of the
match. Only 7 per cent (11 goals) of goals were recorded in extra time (Figure
41.4).
When the number of passes completed prior to a goal were analysed, 54 per
cent (79 goals) of the goals were after one to four passes and 29 per cent (42
 Analysis of goals scored in the 2006 World Cup  237
147

85

33 29
58% 22% 20% 100%

Right Foot(1) Left Foot(2) Header(3) Number of goal

Figure 41.1  Goals scored using different parts of the body

92

24
13 63%
12
9% 16% 6
8% 4%

Penalty Freekick Corner Throw-in Open play

Figure 41.2  Phases of play leading to a goal

79% 100%
150 134
106
100 21%
28
50

0
Inside the Outside the Total goals
penalty area penalty area (except for
penalties)

Figure 41.3  Place from what the goal was scored (except for the penalty)

Table 41.1  Match distribution of goals by 15 min periods

Time Number %
0–15 min. 23 16
16–30 min. 24 16
31–45 min. 20 14
46–60 min. 22 15
61–75 min. 12 8
76–90 min. 35 24
91+ 11 7
Total 147 100
238  Acar, Yapicioglu, Arikan, Yalcin, Ates and Ergun
Extra time
11
7%
First Half
67
46%
Second half
69
47%
Figure 41.4  Distribution of the periods of play in which goals were scored

79

42

54% 26
29%

18%

1–4 passes 5+ passes Other

Figure 41.5  The number of passes completed prior to a goal

Over 41 s 3
36-40 s 1
31-35 s 2
26-30 s 6
Duration

21-25 s 13
16-20 s 12
11-15 s 16
6-10 s 28
1-5 s 53
Number of goal attacks

Figure 41.6  The duration of goal attacks

 Analysis of goals scored in the 2006 World Cup  239
Number of goals
76

41

57%
17
31%
13%
Defence Midfield Forward
Position
Figure 41.7  The distribution of the players scoring goals according to playing position

goals) were after five passes or more. The part ‘other’ in Figure 41.5, includes
free kicks, penalties, passes from an opponent and own goals.
When the goals scored from the penalty are excluded, 61 per cent (81 goals)
of 134 goals were scored within 10 seconds (Figure 41.6).
With regard to the position of the players and goals scored except for penalty
kicks, 57 per cent of 134 goals (76 goals) were scored by forward players (Figure
41.7).

Discussion
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany 64 matches were played. While spectators
watched goals being scored in 57 of these matches, 7 were completed without a
goal. The average number of goals per match was 2.29. When compared with the
previous World Cups – in 2002 Korea–Japan, this percentage was 2.52; in France
’98 it was 2.67; in the USA ’94 it was 2.71. This World Cup had the lowest value,
except for Italy’90.
Altogether, 80 per cent (118 goals) of 148 goals were kicked, 72 per cent (85
goals) were scored with the right foot; 28 per cent (33 goals) were scored by left
foot. In the previous studies, the average of goals achieved by the right foot in
the 2002 World Cup was 44.1 per cent. Again in the previous World Cups, for
instance, in Italy ’90, 87 of 115 goals were scored kicked (75.6 per cent), 28 (24.3
per cent) headed. In Mexico ’86, 113 of 132 goals (85.6 per cent) were kicked and
19 of them (14.4 per cent) were scored with headers.
In view of this information, more goals were scored by means of the foot
than the head in the 2006 World Cup. The fact that the goals scored by headers
(29 goals) remained at a percentage of 20 per cent may be due to the the midfield
players not coming from the sides (wings), the awkwardness of the forward players
or good defenders and the superior air-dominance of the goal-keepers.
When having a look at the development of goals, it was noted that 92 goals
(63 per cent) were the result of mature attacks – in open play. The percentage
of the goals as a consequence of set play such as corner, penalty, free-kick and
240  Acar, Yapicioglu, Arikan, Yalcin, Ates and Ergun
throw-in was 37 per cent (55 goals). Data on the previous World Cups indicate
the percentage of goals occurring as a result of set plays was 29 per cent in Korea–
Japan, 24.6 per cent in France, 32.2 per cent in Italy ’90, 27.3 per cent in Mexico
’86, and 26 per cent in Spain ’82. This shows that in previous tournaments, a
majority of the goals in the form of back-up were realized as a result of mature
attacks, however, an increase was observed in the scores from set plays.
Except for the 13 penalties, the other 79 per cent of 134 goals (106 goals)
was completed from within the penalty area, 21 per cent (28 goals) of goals were
from outside the penalty area. While the percentage of kicks made from within
the penalty area in the 2002 World Cup was 87 per cent, this percentage was
99.6 per cent in France ’98. In this World Cup, contrary to the others, goals from
outside the penalty area were found to have increased.
When the distribution of the goals according to the halves was analysed, the
numbers of goals scored in the 1st and 2nd halves of the match are close to each
other. The teams scored 46 per cent (67 goals) of the goals in the first half and
47 per cent (69 goals) in the second half. The goal percentage in extra time, was
7 per cent (11 goals). In the 2002 World Cup, the teams scored more goals (55.4
per cent; 89 goals) in the second half of the match.
Considering the matches in 15 minute periods intervals, just as in the other
World Cups, the last 15 minutes of matches were the period in which most goals
are scored. A majority of the goals recorded (24 per cent, 35 goals) during the
75th–90th minutes can be considered as being due to factors such as lack of
concentration and differences in conditioning levels.
Another criterion analysed was the number of passes prior to the kick at goal.
Of the goals scored, 54 per cent (79 goals) were after one to four passes. This
finding has been confirmed by several others analysing the games of different
FIFA World Cup finals (Hughes et al., 1988; Franks et al., 1990). The percentage
of goals after 5 passes or more was 29 per cent (42 goals).
Penalty goals, pass from an opponent and own goals are grouped as ‘other’
and accounted for 18 per cent (26 goals) of the goals. The percentage of goals
after one to four passes in the previous World Cups are: 44 per cent in 2002, 29.8
per cent in France ’98, 80 per cent in the USA ’94, 84 per cent in Italy ’90, 61.7
per cent in Mexico ’86 and 79 per cent in Spain ’82.
Hughes (1990) showed that 87 per cent of the goals recorded in 109 top level
matches were scored after 5 passes or fewer. Reep and Benjamin (1968) also
reported that 80 per cent of the goals scored in 3213 matches that were played
between 1953–1968 were after three passes or fewer. Olsen (1988) reported
goal-scoring strategies in the World Cup in Mexico 1986. He found that when
penalties were ignored, only about 20 per cent of the goals were preceded by 5 or
more passes, most of the goals being scored after two passes or less.
When the attack periods resulting in goals are analyzed, 61 per cent of 134
goals (81 goals) were scored within 1–10 s (except for the penalty). Playing fast
and being well organized in attacking positions yields more scoring opportunities.
Guia et al. (2003) showed the importance of a decreased number of contacts
with the ball, increased space, decreasing the number of players needed in game
 Analysis of goals scored in the 2006 World Cup  241
play and increased execution time. The outcome that can be predicted from the
2006 World Cup’s number of passes prior to goals and the periods of goal attacks
examined above is that teams using fewer passes and getting organized more
quickly scored more goals.
When looking at the scoring players’ position on the pitch, except for penalty
kicks, 57 per cent (76 goals) of 134 goals were scored by forward players, 31 per
cent (41 goals) by mid-field players and 13 per cent (17 goals) by defenders.
The efficiency of the mid-field and defenders, forwards close to the goal, and
improving final kicking skills are requirements of contemporary soccer. The
following conclusions about 2006 FIFA World Cup can be drawn from this
study:

• 80 per cent of goals were kicked; 85 per cent of these goals by the right
foot.
• 63 per cent of goals were from open play.
• 79 per cent of the goals (except for penalty kicks) were from inside the
penalty area.
• 24 per cent were scored in the 76th–90th minutes.
• 93 per cent were scored done within 90 minutes i.e. during normal time.
• 54 per cent of goals were after up to 4 passes.
• 61 per cent of 134 goals, except for penalties, were scored within up to 10
seconds.
• Except for penalties and goals scored by forwards, 31 per cent of the goals
were scored by midfield players and 13 per cent were by defenders.

References
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Spon), pp. 302–8.
Franks, I.M., 1997, Use of feedback by coaches and players. In Science and Football III,
edited by Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. and Hughes, M. (London. E&FN Spon), pp. 267–8.
Franks, I.M., Partridge, D. and Nagelkerke, P., 1990, World Cup 90: A Computer Assisted
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