Muller lights the way as goals record tumbles

When Thomas Muller smashed a fierce side-foot shot past USA keeper Tim Howard to earn Germany a 1-0 win and top spot in Group G, he not only drew level with Lionel Messi and Neymar on four goals but also ensured Brazil 2014 set a new record for goals in the World Cup group stages.

By the time the Group H had closed for business later in the day, with a 1-0 win for Belgium against Korea and a 1-1 draw between Algeria and Russia, the goals tally had reached 136 to complete a pulsating opening phase, six more than at Japan and Korea in 2002.

If you want some more stats about the top three strikers, here you go: Messi is the most efficient, taking 61 minutes per goal as opposed to Neymar (62) and Muller (66). Shots on target? Neymar is out in front on 89 per cent, Muller 83 per cent and Messi a lowly 45 per cent. Rubbish, isn’t he?

Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been able to keep up with the world’s best in Brazil, which isn’t something you can normally say about the Portuguese magic man. His team never quite recovered from that 4-0 trouncing by Germany and packed their bags despite beating Ghana 2-1. Ronaldo was man of the match, scoring his only goal of this World Cup but his 50th in 114 appearances for Portugal. He has also scored in three successive World Cups, so there’s some consolation.

With so much for the keepers to do in this tournament, it doesn’t help to have a laser shone in your eyes, as apparently happened to Russia’s Igor Akinfeev against Algeria. Television footage showed a green laser pointed at Akinfeev as he tried to defend Yacine Brahimi’s free-kick, which Islam Slimani scored from.

The goal eliminated Russia and took Algeria through for the first time in their history, prompting hysteria among north African fans and anger from Russia manager Fabio Capello, who confronted officials at the end. 

You Golden Booty . . . the candidates for top scorer at the World Cup

 
4 – Muller (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Messi (Argentina).
3 – Van Persie, Robben (both Holland), Benzema (France), E Valencia (Ecuador), Rodriguez (Colombia), Shaqiri (Switzerland).
2 – Cahill (Australia), Mandzukic (Croatia), Suarez (Uruguay), Gervinho (Ivory Coast), Depay (Holland), Perisic (Croatia), Martinez (Colombia), Dempsey (USA), Bony (Ivory Coast), A Ayew, Gyan (both Ghana), Musa (Nigeria), Slimani (Algeria).