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Not Your Imagination: 2010 World Cup Is Setting Records For Its Lack Of Goals

by Ryan Hudson • Jun 15, 2010 5:12 PM EDT

Day 5 just concluded in South Africa, and with only Group H yet to play in World Cup 2010, there have been a total of 23 goals. That's only 23 goals so far in the tournament's first 14 games matches. But it's soccer, right? This is supposed to be low-scoring? Surely the 1.64 goals-per-game average is typical in the World Cup? Not quite.

Only 23 goals scored in first 14 #WC2010 games. Lowest by far of any 32-team WC. 34 goals in '98, 39 in '02, 31 in '06.

Even in the first 14 games in World Cup 1978, the last tournament played during the winter (Argentina), there were 37 goals. So what gives?

Poll
Why has the 2010 World Cup been so low-scoring?
The adidas Jabulani ball. The new ball ruins everything.
83 votes
The vuvuzelas. The vuvuzelas ruining everything.
118 votes
Conservative play that has dominated the opening matches
260 votes
It's all an evil conspiracy put forth by FIFA simply to annoy Americans
112 votes

573 votes | Poll has closed

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