World Cup stats: Most goals scored in a single edition of World Cup

It is 65 years since Just Fontaine broke the World Cup record for the most number of goals scored in a single edition of the competition, and astonishingly, that landmark still stands today. The famous French striker might no longer be alive but what he did in a span of six games will forever be remembered by millions around the world. That 1958 edition in Sweden was the only World Cup Fontaine had participated in. One can only wonder how many more goals he could have scored had he played in more World Cups.

The 1958 edition might very well be remembered for the emergence of late Brazilian legend Pele, however, Fontaine’s contribution in that tournament can never be forgotten. He brilliantly guided France to the semi-finals before losing out to eventual champions Brazil 5-2. The French side then went on to secure the third spot after beating West Germany 6-3. In his final World Cup game, Fontaine had incredibly scored four goals. Only Gerd Muller (10 in 1970) and Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis (11 in 1954) are the other two players to have even reached double figures in a single edition of the World Cup.

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Most goals scored in a single edition of World Cup

Even though World Cups would require a combined team effort for any team to go deep into the competition, there have often been those players who stood out from the rest. It is those individuals who go down in history as ones to remember for. Just Fontaine will be one such player who will always be remembered for his exploits in the 1958 edition of the World Cup. Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis and Germany’s Gerd Muller complete the top three players in the list.

Portuguese legend Eusebio is tied on fourth with nine goals in the 1966 edition, while Ademir of Brazil scored the same number of goals in the 1950 World Cup, according to the data provided by Opta Analyst. Famous Brazilian striker Ronaldo also has a place in this list with eight goals he scored in the 2002 edition, which was eventually won by the South American nation itself. Among the current players, French sensation Kylian Mbappe also has a place in this elite group. He scored eight goals in the recently concluded World Cup in Qatar, which was won by Lionel Messi’s Argentina after they defeated France in a thrilling final.