A total of 137 goals have been scored across 45 group-stage matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026, establishing a new record for the highest goal tally in the group phase of a single tournament edition, according to OptaJoe's X handle.
Record Breakdown
The previous record of 136 goals was set during the 2014 World Cup, achieved over 48 group-stage matches. The new benchmark was reached after Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, which contributed to the ongoing high-scoring trend. With several group matches remaining, the goal tally is expected to rise further.
Portugal's Dominant Performance
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a record-breaking performance with a brace as Portugal secured a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao also scored, while an own goal from Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov compounded the woes of coach Fabio Cannavaro's side. The victory marked Portugal's first win of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said: "The team performed really well and improved a lot. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Obviously, speaking personally, records are always nice but my goal is always to help the national team achieve its objectives," as quoted by Reuters.
Historic Milestones for Ronaldo
Ronaldo's brace saw him become Portugal's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio's mark of nine, and the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Coach's Perspective
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said: "This was the response we had in the dressing room. There are times when you need a game like the first one in order to grow in the tournament. Today we saw a team with the same attitude and commitment, but with greater maturity because it was no longer the opening match."
The victory came after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening match, putting Ronaldo's team under scrutiny. The win boosted their goal difference ahead of the final group fixture.
