Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Belgium's Youri Tielemans (left), Argentina's Lionel Messi (centre) and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha have all been involved in dramatic matches at the World Cup Great goals, thrilling comebacks, late drama, shock results – what a World Cup it has been. The quarter-finals start on Thursday, with eight games left in this summer's football festival. Featuring 48 nations for the first time and held in three countries, there is no doubt the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been the biggest of the 23 staged. Obviously, that is subjective and World Cups will mean different things to different people – some will regard their first competition as the best or maybe it depends on how far your nation has gone. However, the stats suggest this tournament, on the pitch at least, will compare favourably. Any World Cup needs plenty of excitement – and that is what we have had. From 96 of 104 matches, we have seen 280 goals. That is 2.92 goals per game, the best since 1970 in Mexico when 95 goals were scored in 32 games, an average of 2.97 per match. By comparison, 2.69 goals per game came at Qatar 2022, 2.64 in Russia in 2018, 2.67 in Brazil in 2014 and 2.27 in South Africa in 2010. The highest scoring game has been Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao, but there have been six goals in another seven matches and five in a further 13. Another sign of attacking football is that 74.6% of goals have come from open play, among the highest proportions recorded in World Cup history, with just 5% of goals coming from penalties - the lowest percentage on record. What information do we collect from this quiz?Exciting matches in excellent atmospheresTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played Argentina complete extraordinary comeback to beat Egypt The number of late goals is also making it thrilling. Of 24 knockout ties, eight have seen a winning goal scored after the 85th minute, while Argentina needed extra-time to see off underdogs Cape Verde and four matches have gone to penalty shootouts. In fact, Enzo Fernandez's winner against Egypt was the 10th 90th-minute winning goal of the tournament, already a World Cup record. In July alone we have seen at least three World Cup classics, with Belgium, Argentina and England gaining 3-2 wins over Senegal, Egypt and Mexico respectively. Belgium and Argentina both fought back from two goals down late on for their wins, the first time since 1970 when such deficits have been overturned more than once in a tournament. England's victory came despite playing for 40 minutes with 10 men - after Jarell Quansah was sent off - and then holding on in an intense atmosphere at Mexico's legendary Azteca Stadium. There have actually been eight goalless draws in this tournament, which is a World Cup record. But is this necessarily a bad thing - or is it a sign of competitive balance? Are Argentina being treated favourably at World Cup? Published14 hours agoA Golden Boot race for the ages - but who will come out on top? Published14 hours agoThe fans have turned up, as have the big namesTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played There were understandable concerns at what the matches would be like. Ticket prices at eye-watering levels, with supporters having to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to watch their next tie left many fearing poor atmospheres at games
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