2 ms·
Not just that, but only 2 before 2000, then 1 in 2000, 2 in 2004, 1 in 2012, and 3 in 2016. It's a rather strange trend.
by Deukhoofd 5y ago
Not just that, but only 2 before 2000, then 1 in 2000, 2 in 2004, 1 in 2012, and 3 in 2016. It's a rather strange trend.
- notahacker 5y agoAdding World Cup data shows a similar uptick but makes the series messier (last few World Cups in reverse order: 12, 5, 2,4, 3, 6, 1). World Cup has more participating teams and usually more mismatches which partly explains the larger numbers. The Euros added more games in 2016 and back in 1996, and only had four teams participating pre-1980, which plays a large role in why so few own goals were scored back then, but size alone can't explain the jump in 2018/2021 tournaments. Either it's a statistical anomaly or tactics