Football statistics glossary
What counts as a goal, assist, appearance or hat-trick? Understand the definitions, scoring formulas and counting rules used in our Messi vs Ronaldo comparisons.
Overview
- Goals
Goals within the selected scope. Penalty-shootout kicks and club friendlies are excluded.
Compare Goals- Assists
Conventional assists as published by the named source. Secondary, fantasy and penalty-won assists are not added. Providers may classify incidents differently.
Compare Assists- Appearances
Matches in which the player appeared; a substitute appearance counts as one game.
Compare Appearances- Minutes played
Published playing time for the selected scope, including extra time where applicable.
Compare Minutes played- Goals + assists
Goals plus assists from the same scope and assist definition.
Compare Goals + assists- Goals per appearance
Goals divided by appearances. A short substitute appearance still counts as one game.
Compare Goals per appearance- Goals per 90 minutes
Goals × 90 ÷ minutes played within this same scope.
Compare Goals per 90 minutes- Goals + assists per 90
(Goals + assists) × 90 ÷ minutes played within this same scope.
Compare Goals + assists per 90- Minutes per goal
Playing minutes divided by goals. A lower value means goals were scored more frequently.
Compare Minutes per goal
Goal types & set pieces
- Hat-tricks
Matches with at least three goals; a four- or five-goal match counts once.
Compare Hat-tricks- Penalty goals
Successful penalties during the match or extra time. Shootouts excluded.
Compare Penalty goals- Penalties taken
In-match penalty attempts, including misses and saves. Shootouts excluded.
Compare Penalties taken- Direct free-kick goals
Goals scored directly from a free kick, as classified by the source.
Compare Direct free-kick goals- Outside-box goals
Goals from outside the penalty area, excluding direct free kicks.
Compare Outside-box goals- Inside-box goals
Goals from inside the penalty area, excluding penalty kicks.
Compare Inside-box goals- Left-foot goals
Goals scored with the left foot; includes applicable set-piece goals.
Compare Left-foot goals- Right-foot goals
Goals scored with the right foot; includes applicable set-piece goals.
Compare Right-foot goals- Headed goals
Goals scored with the head, as classified by the source.
Compare Headed goals- Other body parts
Goals not classified as left foot, right foot or header by the source.
Compare Other body parts- Non-penalty goals
Total goals minus in-match penalty goals. Direct free kicks remain included.
Compare Non-penalty goals- Penalty conversion
Successful in-match penalties ÷ attempts × 100. Shootout kicks excluded.
Compare Penalty conversion