​Great goals, thrilling comebacks, late drama, and shock results—the World Cup has delivered drama in abundance. The quarter-finals begin on Thursday, leaving eight games to crown the summer’s football festival. With 48 nations taking part for the first time and the tournament staged across three countries, this World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States stands out as the biggest of the 23 editions so far.
But is it the best? That question is inherently subjective. What makes a World Cup memorable varies from person to person—some fans judge the best by their first tournament experience, others by how far their nation progresses. Yet by the metrics that gauge on-pitch action, this tournament already ranks highly.
A thrilling World Cup needs plenty of excitement, and this edition has delivered. From 96 of 104 matches, 280 goals have been scored, averaging 2.92 per game—besting every edition since Mexico 1970, which averaged 2.97 per match from 32 games and 95 goals. By comparison, Qatar 2022 averaged 2.69 goals per game, Russia 2018 had 2.64, Brazil 2014 had 2.67, and South Africa 2010 had 2.27. The standout high-scoring game has been Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curacao, but there have been several other matches with six goals and a significant number with five.
Attacking play has dominated, with open-play goals accounting for 74.6% of all goals—the highest proportion in World Cup history—while penalties have contributed only 5%, the lowest share ever recorded. Late drama is another hallmark, as eight of the 24 knockout ties have seen a winning goal after the 85th minute, and Argentina required extra time to defeat Cape Verde, while multiple ties have gone to penalties. Enzo Fernández’s 90th-minute strike against Egypt became the 10th last-minute winning goal of the tournament, already a World Cup record.
July has given us at least three enduring classics: Belgium’s 3-2 win over Senegal, Argentina’s 3-2 triumph against Mexico, and England’s 3-2 win over Egypt. Belgium and Argentina both rallied from two-goal deficits late on, something not achieved twice in a single World Cup since 1970. England’s win came at the Azteca Stadium, where the home crowd created a tense, unforgettable atmosphere, even after Jarell Quansah’s red card left them to defend with 10 men for 30 minutes.
There have been eight goalless draws in this tournament, a World Cup record. Some may see that as a sign of defensive discipline and competitive balance, while others may worry it reflects a lack of cutting edge. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, with a mixture of tactical caution and moments of explosive quality.
As to fairness and storytelling, Argentina’s Golden Boot race is turning into a spectacle, capturing attention worldwide. Yet ticket prices and the sheer travel burden for fans—spanning continents and long distances—have raised concerns about accessibility and the overall experience, even as the tournament promises unforgettable moments.
In short, this World Cup has offered a blend of historic milestones, audacious comebacks, and late drama that could redefine what fans expect from a global tournament. As the quarter-finals unfold, supporters can reflect on a competition that has both thrilled and surprised in equal measure.