96 days to go: Knockout thrills in North America
FIFA counts down to the World Cup 2026 with a daily statistical story.
The last two World Cups in North America produced combined total of 96 knockout-phase goals. The 48 apiece at Mexico 1986 and USA 1994 – three goals per game on average – shared the record for goals in the knockout rounds of one edition until 52 were netted at Qatar 2022.
Emilio Butragueno and Diego Maradona scored an unmatched four goals apiece in the knockout phase in Mexico. ‘The Vulture’ registered all his in Spain’s 5-1 thrashing of Denmark in the last 16. ‘The Golden Boy’ bagged braces for Argentina against England in the quarter-finals and Belgium in the semis. Soviet Union 3-4 Belgium, Belgium 2-4 France and Argentina 3-2 West Germany also decorated the concluding 16 matches.
Italy’s Roberto Baggio netted a USA 1994-high of five goals in the knockout phase, which featured thrillers such as Romania 3-2 Argentina, Germany 3-2 Belgium and Netherlands 2-3 Brazil. Anyone excited for another North American World Cup?