Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal in the final marked the 117th goal of EURO 2024. We delve into the data, breaking down how each goal was scored.
The 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship has delivered its share of drama, milestones, and unforgettable goals. Here, we analyze all 117 goals, examining how, when, and where they occurred, and noting any emerging trends from past tournaments.
How Did Players Score Goals in EURO 2024?
- Right foot: 60
- Left foot: 28
- Head: 18
- Other: 1
- Own goals: 10
While left-footed goals made up over 30% of the total in both 2016 and 2020, this percentage fell back below 25% in 2024, similar to the 2008 and 2012 tournaments. The trend of increasing own goals, which began in 2020 with 11 (two more than all previous finals combined), continued in Germany with 10 own goals, highlighting the importance of low crosses in modern football.
How Often Did the Goals at EURO 2024 Go In?
- Average time of first goal: 30 minutes
- Average goals per game: 2.29
The 2.78 average goals per game in 2020 was the highest in the competition’s history. The slight drop in 2024 might be due to the more competitive nature of European football, as the expansion to 24 teams allows more nations to participate. The average time for the first goal has decreased by around 11 minutes from the 2016 tournament, with four of the six quickest goals in EURO history occurring in these finals.
Where Were the Goals at EURO 2024 Struck From?
- Inside penalty area (including five-metre box): 98
- Outside penalty area: 19
The 16.2% of goals scored from outside the penalty area mirrors the figure from 2016. This continues the trend of teams working the ball into more dangerous areas, resulting in fewer long-range strikes.
What Types of Goals Were Scored at EURO 2024?
- Open play: 108
- Penalty: 9
- Direct free-kick: 0
The 2012 and 2020 editions saw only one free-kick goal each, and this downward trend continued at EURO 2024. Factors contributing to this include the increased agility of modern goalkeepers and improved defensive tactics that reduce the number of fouls committed near the penalty area.
How Many Penalties Were There at EURO 2024?
- Penalties awarded: 12
- Scored: 9
- Saved: 3
- Missed: 0
EURO 2016 also saw 12 penalties awarded, while EURO 2020 had 16. The conversion rate at EURO 2020 was notably lower, with only nine out of 16 penalties converted. This suggests that penalty takers have since adapted their techniques to counteract the extensive data and analysis used by goalkeepers.
