FIFA WWC- interesting stats so far.

The FIFA World cup has kicked off fully, and we have experienced an array of emotions. From the first brace scored by the National Women Soccer League (NWSL)’s super-star Sophia Smith, to the first hat-trick scored by the Brazilian midfielder- Ary Borges.

Ary Borges-Brazilian’s hat-trick hero. Photo-credit (FIFAWWC on twitter)

Below are some unusual facts you will find interesting.

• Spain has recorded the highest shots in a match (46). They have also recorded the highest number of shots on target (12), one shot ahead of Japan (11) and the highest possession (81%).
• Germany has completed the highest number of passes (691), and they have the joint highest accuracy-86% (a tie with Japan), as well as the highest conversion rate from shots — 43.75%
• New Zealand vs Norway is the only match to have the same number of passes from both teams (356).
• Sophia Smith was the first player to score a brace, she is also the youngest player to score in this tournament.
• Spain scored the highest number of goals in the shortest possible time as their three goals against Costa Rica came between the 21st and 27th minute.
• 6 out of 15 matches have ended in a 1–0 with 5 of those goals coming in the second half, only the Dutch scored in the 13th minute and struggled to add any more goals to their tally.
• The Reggae girls of Jamaica picked up their first point against France in a goalless draw, the second of the tournament. The first was picked up by Nigeria.
• The Super-Falcons of Nigeria are the only African team to have picked up a point as they played a goalless draw against Canada in the opening match of Group B. Bayana Bayana’s Hilda Magai is the first African player to score in this tournament, as South-Africa came close to getting a point off Sweden before the European power-house halted their hopes with a 90th minute header.

The Germans sent a message to the world with a six-goal victory over the Debutants- Morocco. Photocredit- CAF Online

• The German team has scored the highest number of goals in this tournament (6), followed by Japan (5) and Brazil (4). Does this make these countries the major contenders?
• Speaking of Brazil, Ary Borges is the first player to score a hat-trick this tournament, becoming the 4th Brazilian to score a hat-trick in the FIFA Women’s world cup and the 9th player to score an hat-trick in a group stage match.
• There were four hat-tricks scored in 2019, how many more would we see this tournament? Is there any fact you think we missed out? Please add below

Nnadozie Chiamaka saved a penalty from Christian Sinclair to secure a point from Nigeria (Photocredit CAF online)