The competition is on course to be the second-most watched World Cup with USA '94 leading the way with an average of 68,991. The 1966 edition in England produced an average 51,094 while four years later Mexico had 50,124, it was announced by FIFAworldcup.com.

    A statistical analysis of the group stage throws up some fascinating details. For instance while Germany's Miroslav Klose is the leading scorer on four, no player has contributed more than two assists. Nine players are on that mark.

    Three teams qualified for the next stage with a maximum nine points (Germany, Brazil and Portugal) while two teams qualified with only four (Australia and Mexico). Three teams had the honour of scoring eight goals (Argentina, Germany and Spain) while Trinidad and Tobago were the only team not to score. Serbia and Montenegro conceded the highest number of 10 goals.

    Argentina had the biggest win of 6-0 over Serbia and Montenegro-- while the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica also produced six goals. With 117 goals so far each game has produced an average of 2.44 with the World Cup's 2000th goal scored by Sweden's Markus Allback against England on 20 June. Enditem