This study examined how temporal, spatial, and defensive factors shaped goal outcomes during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. All 164 tournament goals were coded from multiple angles using notational analysis. Recorded variables were (i) match minute, (ii) finishing zone, (iii) location of the final pass, (iv) number of defenders applying pressure, and (v) match-winning status. Group differences were tested with chi-square procedures and post hoc residual checks; effect sizes were reported as Cramér’s V. Goal counts were non-uniform across the standard 15-min periods (χ²(7, N = 162) = 18.44, p =.010, Cramér’s V = 0.13), with peaks in 16–30 and 61–75 min and fewer goals in added time. Match-winning goals were also unevenly distributed, showing an early-match bias (χ²(7, N = 47) = 20.91, p =.004, V = 0.25). Defensive pressure on the scorer did not vary by interval (F(7, 153) = 0.87, p =.531). Final-pass locations were highly uneven, and 28% of goals were scored without an assist, underscoring the growing role of turnovers, pressing, and individual creativity. Despite these contextual shifts, finishing zones remained broadly consistent across intervals. These findings emphasise counts-based timing analyses, with NGF used descriptively for context, and highlight the value of integrating temporal and spatial perspectives to understand goal creation in elite women’s football.
Scanlan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.