In the first 24 matches, 75 goals have surged through the tournament, a 3.125‑goal per game average that tops the post‑group‑stage mark since 1958. Draws hit 37.5%, the highest since 2010, underlining a competitive field.

Sharpshooters Harry Kane and Lionel Messi have each netted three in their opener, pushing Kane to England’s all‑time World Cup tally of 10 goals and tying Messi with 16 to join Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Arda Guler leads shots with eight attempts, yet his 0.26 expected goals underline a cautious approach against Australia. Son Heung‑min’s six chances yielded no goals, his expected goal drop stark for a former Premier League finisher.

Pedri’s 1.23 expected assists and six final‑third possessions crowned him Spain’s most creative player, while Amad Diallo’s 34‑minute cameo produced the tournament’s top dribble success rate.