Brazil star Neymar strikes event’s 100th goal; tally 108 in 36 matches

For all the strategy, artistry, strength and speed, football ultimately boils down to goals. On that front Brazil 2014 has not been found wanting. The 100-goal mark was breached on Monday by Brazilian superstar Neymar.

For all the strategy, artistry, strength and speed, football ultimately boils down to goals.

On that front Brazil 2014 has not been found wanting. The 100-goal mark was breached on Monday, fittingly so by the feet of the irrepressible Neymar in Brazil’s 4-1 win over Cameroon.

In the 36 games played so far, 108 goals have been scored at an average of three goals a game.

In contrast, the first 36 matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa had yielded a return of 77 goals — a mark the Brazil edition touched in 26 matches.

What’s more, the 100-goal milestone in South Africa came in 47 games.

The Brazil edition is only 37 short of overhauling the final tally of 145 registered four years ago. If this scoring rate improves marginally, that tally could be crossed in the group stage itself.

The warm climate of Brazil was expected to tire out the players and dry up the goals. There have been no signs of that happening so far, purebred strikers and goal poachers have come to the party.

Here are some players who have raked in the goals.

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: Vignesh Radhakrishnan (@vinuthewriter)

: Hitesh Mathur