---
title: "In Numbers: The World Cup's frivolous facts and figures summed up"
description: "It's not a World Cup until you've chewed over all the numbers."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "#Russia2018"
author: "Antoinette Muller"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/antoinettemuller/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-15-in-numbers-the-world-cups-frivolous-facts-and-figures-summed-up/"
published: "2018-07-15T21:50:07"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 318
---

# In Numbers: The World Cup's frivolous facts and figures summed up

> It's not a World Cup until you've chewed over all the numbers.

By Antoinette Muller · Published 15 July 2018, 23:50 SAST

## Content

After a whirlwind 64 matches, the 2018 World Cup ended like it started: with a glut of goals as [France secured their second title with a 4-2 win over Croatia](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-15-frances-world-cup-engineered-by-a-shrewd-tactician-brought-alive-by-the-players-from-the-banlieues/).

[Luka Modric](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-15-croatias-world-cup-a-story-of-sacrifice-contradiction-and-a-bittersweet-end-for-modric/) earned himself the player of the tournament award, [Harry Kane](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-15-golden-boot-winners-flops-and-what-could-have-beens/) the Golden Boot and Thibaut Courtois the [Golden Glove](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-15-golden-glove-winners-flops-and-what-could-have-beens/).

**Six**

The number of goals scored by Golden Boot winner Harry Kane.

**2.64**

The average number of goals at this year's tournament, a touch less than the 2.67 average in 2014.

**Six**

The number of goals scored in the final, the most in a final of the tournament since 1966, when England beat West Germany 4-2.

**Ten**

The total number of braces scored at the tournament, less than the 14 scored at the 2014 edition.

**22**

The number of penalties scored out of the 29 awarded.

**Seven**

The number of penalties missed or saved.

**12**

The number of own goals.

**97**

The stoppage time minute of the tournament's latest goal. Neymar holds that honour.

**16**

The number of goals scored by Belgium.

**0**

Egypt's total points tally in all World Cups. Ever.

**219**

The number of yellow cards at the World Cup.

**49651**

Total number of passes completed in the entire tournament.

**301**

Croatia's total clearances, tackles and saves.

**27**

Neymar's attempts on goal for his total of two goals.

**72**

Total distance in kilometres covered by Croatia's Ivan Perišić.

**55**

Paul Pogba's total touches in the final.

**Nine**

The number of goals scored in the 90th minute or later (excluding extra-time), more than in any previous edition of the competition.

**One**

The number of goalless draws at the tournament.

**73**

The number of goals scored through set-piece situations, the highest percentage since 1966.

**8378169816167316**

The estimated number of times somebody complained about seeing (and hearing) that Three Little Birds advert. Here it is, for the last time, hopefully never to be repeated again:

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvHpzoqC0Lg)

**DM**