Own Goals Euro 2024: A Statistical Anomaly in European Football
Nine own goals were scored in the 44 matches of Euro 2024, a surprisingly high number. This statistic surpasses the individual goal tallies of the tournament’s top scorers, who each managed three goals. Only the host nation, Germany, outscored the collective own goal count with 10 goals. This surge in own goals continues a trend from the previous two European Championships, which saw a combined 20 own goals, averaging one every five matches. This starkly contrasts with the preceding 15 tournaments, where only nine own goals were recorded, averaging one every 30 matches. The first own goal in European Championship history didn’t occur until the 1976 semi-final, scored by Czechoslovakia’s Anton Ondrus.
A 20-year gap followed before the second own goal was recorded at Euro 1996. While fewer matches were played in the earlier tournaments, this doesn’t fully account for the recent dramatic increase. Four own goals were scored within the first four days of Euro 2024 alone. Several theories attempt to explain this phenomenon.
A 2008 rule change clarified the awarding of goals after deflections. Previously, referees had discretion, leading to inconsistencies. UEFA implemented a standardized rule: a goal is awarded to the shooter if their attempt was on target before the deflection; otherwise, it’s credited as an own goal. While this clarification aimed to ensure consistency, it’s unclear whether it directly correlates with the increase in own goals. The 2022 World Cup, for example, only saw two own goals in 64 matches.
More crosses leading to more own goals is another theory, but statistical data refutes this. Euro 2020 and 2024 recorded the lowest crosses per game since 1980, with 32.1 and 33.8 respectively.
The increasing prevalence of inverted wingers, who favor cutting inside and shooting, might contribute to more deflected shots. However, this trend doesn’t align with own goal statistics in other leagues like the Premier League. While the 2023-24 Premier League season saw a high of 49 own goals, matching the 2013-14 season, the average across intervening seasons was 35, indicating a less dramatic increase than in the Euros.
Changes in goalkeeping styles, such as increased punching and prioritizing distribution over shot-stopping, have also been suggested as contributing factors. However, none of the Euro 2024 own goals appear directly attributable to goalkeeping errors. A more plausible explanation lies in the prevalence of low-block defensive strategies. Teams defending deep in their own box increase the likelihood of deflections, as evidenced by eight of the nine own goals resulting from close-range shots in crowded penalty areas.
Low blocks are often employed by lower-ranked teams relying on counter-attacks, a strategy that has proven successful in recent tournaments. While effective, packing the penalty area with defenders inevitably raises the risk of own goals. Finally, simple bad luck could play a role, as exemplified by Portugal and Slovakia, who each hold the unfortunate record of three own goals in European Championship history. While Portugal experienced an own goal in their favor at Euro 2024, Turkey suffered a comical own goal due to a miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper. Ultimately, the high number of own goals at Euro 2024 might be a combination of tactical trends and unfortunate incidents.