Explore over 2,400 goals in our interactive chart
IT STARTED with a bang. Russia, the hosts, netted five past Saudi Arabia, the lowest-ranked team in the competition. The only time more goals were scored in an opening game was in 2006, and eight of the previous 20 World Cup openers were either 0-0 or 1-1 draws. Expectations for the second game were high, but Uruguay took 89 minutes to limp past Egypt. Five of the six top-ranked teams played in the first weekend of games, with only Portugal v Spain providing another goalfest, a 3-3 draw. The Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, staked his claim to be the world’s best player (his hat-trick helped thwart the 2010 champions), while Lionel Messi’s Argentina failed to beat debutants Iceland. There were more surprises to come. Current champions (and top-ranked team) Germany were stunned by 14th-placed Mexico, and Brazil were held by Switzerland. England kick off their campaign tonight. Follow our interactive for all the goals and to compare this World Cup to previous competitions.