1. This is the most competitive first round ever
61.5% of victories were by a one-goal margin in the group stages - the second highest proportion for any previous tournament behind only South Africa in 2010. On top of this, the number of goals scored in the second half stoppage time has also reached a record high for the group stages.
As many as 16 goals have been scored after the 90 minute mark so far in the tournament which is equivalent to 13.1 % of all goals scored.
2. The fewest number of 0-0 draws since the 1950s
Aside from the joyless 0-0 draw played out between France and Denmark in their final group game, the group stage hasn't featured a single goalless match.
This is the fewest number of scoreless draws in the first round of any World Cup since 1954
3. The curse of the holders is now a proper thing
One reason we shouldn't be surprised at Germany's exit is that the holders barely ever win the World Cup, a trend that has become more pronounced of late.
Four of the past five winners have now been knocked out of the World Cup at the first hurdle. France 2002, Italy 2010, Spain 2014 and now Germany 2018.
4. Top-seeded teams have struggled
There are several notable examples of big footballing nations making slow-starts in World Cups before eventually clicking into gear and coming away with the trophy.
In Russia, many of the favourites look as though they’re trying to employ this model with Portugal, Spain and Brazil all drawing to supposedly lesser adversaries, while Germany and Argentina have both endured losses.
Indeed, of the pot one teams in the World Cup, the average Elo change in the group stage has been -16.4 points.
The average pot two team has picked up 18.1 points over the same period, indicating that good teams that aren't quite top are closing in on the favourites.
Pot three teams picked up an average 3.8 points per team, while the worst teams in pot four lost 3.1 each.
5. Fouls are down
There is a noticeable reduction in fouls per game in this World Cup.
With a total of 883 fouls over the first 36 matches, there is an average of 24.5 fouls per game.
There was an average of 30 fouls per game in the 2014 Brazil World Cup - the lowest level seen for at least 50 years.
6. VAR has led to a record number of penalties
There have already been 18 penalties scored in the 2018 Russia World Cup, meaning 14.8 % of all goals scored have been from the spot.
This has already eclipsed the record number of spot-kick goals which was set in 1998.
VAR has made its mark on the competition with this, with referees consulting the video assistant referees and hence punishing fouls that may have once gone missed.
7. Own goals are winning the Golden Boot for the first time
There have already been nine own goals in the 2018 World Cup - eclipsing the total number seen at the Brazil 2014 World Cup and tying for the record, set in 1998.
These have been committed by Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz, Australia's Aziz Behich, Nigeria's Oghenekaro Etebo, Poland's Thiago Cionek, Egypt's Ahmed Fathy, Russia’s Denis Cheryshev, Mexico's Edson Álvarez, Switzerland's Yann Sommer and Tunisia's Yassine Meriah. Othrwise Harry Kane is top with five. This would be the first time that own goals have won the golden boot outright.
8. Spain are now unbeaten in 23 games
Going into the tournament, the longest unbeaten runs were for Spain (20), Morocco (18) and Belgium (18).
After a win and two draws, Spain's unbeaten run has extended to 23 games - the longest of any country in the World Cup.
Belgium's unbeaten run has also extended to 21 matches while Morocco's loss to Iran ended their run.
Spain's forward Lucas Vazquez and defender Sergio Ramos celebrate their second goal against Morocco
Spain's forward Lucas Vazquez and defender Sergio Ramos celebrate their second goal against Morocco CREDIT: OZAN KOSE/AFP
9. John Stones has scored more World Cup goals than Wayne Rooney
By scoring two headed goals against Panama, John Stones has already scored more World Cup goals than Wayne Rooney.
Rooney's only goal at a World Cup came in Brazil in 2014, in England's 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the group stage.
With five World Cup goals to his name, England captain Harry Kane is well on his way to rivalling Gary Lineker (10 World Cup goals). He's currently England's joint-second-best World Cup goalscorer, alongside Geoff Hurst on five goals.
10. Croatia, Sweden and Belgium had the best group stage
Impressive wins over Argentina and Germany have grabbed the headlines in the last few weeks, and such performances have meant that teams such as Croatia have had the largest boosts to their Elo ratings of any team. Croatia's Elo rating has been boosted by 103 points over their first three games, to move from 14th to 7th place. Over the course of the first three games, Sweden also picked up 77 points in the Elo ratings (moving from 17th to 15th), and Belgium picked up 62 with their three wins (moving from 8th to 4th).
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