Cup America vs. UEFA Euro, particularities, and similarities: a comparative study of the scores in edition 2016

Abstract

We analyzed the characteristics of the goals scored in the Centennial Cup America and the UEFA Euro, both held in 2016, hosted by the United States and France, respectively. The search was carried through variables such as the kind of finalization, the half of the game when the goals were scored, the finalization and assistance zones. We analyzed 83 games with 199 goals in total, being 32 games and 91 goals in the Cup America, and 51 games and 108 goals in the UEFA Euro, with averages of 2.84 e 2.12 goals per game, 33 and 44 minutes per goal. There was prevalence of right-feet goals, with more finalizations within the central zone. Goals through offensive organization were predominant in both competitions but these differed concerning the halves when the goals were scored, namely more often in the first third of the game in the Cup America, but in first third in the second half and final third of the two halves in the UEFA Euro. Concerning the assistance zone, the field was more explored in the UEFA Euro, while in the Cup America the central corridor was more used. For indirect rounds, in both competitions, the intermediate sector was more advantageous, and in Cup America the central region and lateral of the great area were also often used. More research would be necessary for understanding the disparity between the results of both Cups and the relevance of the throw-ins for the moves which ended up in goals.