Will Jeanes
@willjeanes.bsky.social
Work for The Athletic // Football stats and history ⚽️
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/will-jeanes/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/will-jeanes/
Goals scored in nine Champions League games yesterday: 22
Goals scored in nine Champions League games today: 42
Goals scored in nine Champions League games today: 42
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Goals scored in nine Champions League games yesterday: 22
Goals scored in nine Champions League games today: 42
Goals scored in nine Champions League games today: 42
Hungary beat England 6-3 in the 'Match of the Century' on this day in 1953 at Wembley.
It was the first time since 1881 vs Scotland that England had conceded six+ goals in a game and Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick remains the last vs England in England.
It was the first time since 1881 vs Scotland that England had conceded six+ goals in a game and Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick remains the last vs England in England.
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Hungary beat England 6-3 in the 'Match of the Century' on this day in 1953 at Wembley.
It was the first time since 1881 vs Scotland that England had conceded six+ goals in a game and Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick remains the last vs England in England.
It was the first time since 1881 vs Scotland that England had conceded six+ goals in a game and Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick remains the last vs England in England.
England have lost a wicket in the first over of the first Test in three of the last five Ashes series in Australia.
November 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
England have lost a wicket in the first over of the first Test in three of the last five Ashes series in Australia.
England will play Test cricket away vs Australia in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
The last time England played away in Tests vs Australia in three consecutive years was 1986, 1987 and 1988.
🏏
The last time England played away in Tests vs Australia in three consecutive years was 1986, 1987 and 1988.
🏏
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
England will play Test cricket away vs Australia in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
The last time England played away in Tests vs Australia in three consecutive years was 1986, 1987 and 1988.
🏏
The last time England played away in Tests vs Australia in three consecutive years was 1986, 1987 and 1988.
🏏
It was a privilege to be involved in the production of this book and to have written one of the entries:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
The Soccer 100: A celebration of the greatest players in the sport’s history
The Athletic is delighted to announce the release of The Soccer 100, profiling players from Pele to Puskas, Maradona to Messi
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
It was a privilege to be involved in the production of this book and to have written one of the entries:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with both Austria and Switzerland competing since 1954.
November 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with both Austria and Switzerland competing since 1954.
Great to speak on the BBC about family connections in football. Starts at 3:47:38:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Great to speak on the BBC about family connections in football. Starts at 3:47:38:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Harry Kane has now scored more international goals than Pelé (78 v 77).
November 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Harry Kane has now scored more international goals than Pelé (78 v 77).
World Cups Portugal played at in the 73 years before Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Three
World Cups Portugal will have played at in the 23 years since Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Six
World Cups Portugal will have played at in the 23 years since Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Six
November 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
World Cups Portugal played at in the 73 years before Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Three
World Cups Portugal will have played at in the 23 years since Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Six
World Cups Portugal will have played at in the 23 years since Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut: Six
On this day in 2008, Manchester United began their run of 14 Premier League games without conceding a goal — the record for the most clean sheets in a row in English top-flight matches.
The run ended on February 21, 2009 when Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz scored against United.
The run ended on February 21, 2009 when Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz scored against United.
November 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
On this day in 2008, Manchester United began their run of 14 Premier League games without conceding a goal — the record for the most clean sheets in a row in English top-flight matches.
The run ended on February 21, 2009 when Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz scored against United.
The run ended on February 21, 2009 when Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz scored against United.
Luka Modrić has played for Croatia alongside someone born in 1971 and 2007:
Born in 1971: Niko Kovač
Born in 2007: Luka Vušković
Modrić had already played for Croatia 13 times when Vušković was born.
Born in 1971: Niko Kovač
Born in 2007: Luka Vušković
Modrić had already played for Croatia 13 times when Vušković was born.
November 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Luka Modrić has played for Croatia alongside someone born in 1971 and 2007:
Born in 1971: Niko Kovač
Born in 2007: Luka Vušković
Modrić had already played for Croatia 13 times when Vušković was born.
Born in 1971: Niko Kovač
Born in 2007: Luka Vušković
Modrić had already played for Croatia 13 times when Vušković was born.
Most goals for Argentina:
Lionel Messi: 115
Messi aged 30+: 57
Gabriel Batistuta: 56
Sergio Agüero: 41
Lautaro Martínez: 36
Hernán Crespo: 35
Diego Maradona: 34
Lionel Messi: 115
Messi aged 30+: 57
Gabriel Batistuta: 56
Sergio Agüero: 41
Lautaro Martínez: 36
Hernán Crespo: 35
Diego Maradona: 34
November 14, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Most goals for Argentina:
Lionel Messi: 115
Messi aged 30+: 57
Gabriel Batistuta: 56
Sergio Agüero: 41
Lautaro Martínez: 36
Hernán Crespo: 35
Diego Maradona: 34
Lionel Messi: 115
Messi aged 30+: 57
Gabriel Batistuta: 56
Sergio Agüero: 41
Lautaro Martínez: 36
Hernán Crespo: 35
Diego Maradona: 34
Lionel Messi has just scored a goal in Africa for the first time.
November 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Lionel Messi has just scored a goal in Africa for the first time.
Lionel Messi has now scored more goals for Argentina after turning 30 years old than anyone else has ever scored at any age for the country.
November 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Lionel Messi has now scored more goals for Argentina after turning 30 years old than anyone else has ever scored at any age for the country.
Max Dowman was not alive when the Champions League final was played on a Wednesday.
November 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Max Dowman was not alive when the Champions League final was played on a Wednesday.
Bert Patenaude, who scored the first World Cup hat-trick, was born on this day in 1909 in Massachusetts, USA.
Patenaude scored the hat-trick vs Paraguay in the groups of the 1930 tournament and helped USA reach the semi-finals — their best performance at a men's World Cup.
Patenaude scored the hat-trick vs Paraguay in the groups of the 1930 tournament and helped USA reach the semi-finals — their best performance at a men's World Cup.
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Bert Patenaude, who scored the first World Cup hat-trick, was born on this day in 1909 in Massachusetts, USA.
Patenaude scored the hat-trick vs Paraguay in the groups of the 1930 tournament and helped USA reach the semi-finals — their best performance at a men's World Cup.
Patenaude scored the hat-trick vs Paraguay in the groups of the 1930 tournament and helped USA reach the semi-finals — their best performance at a men's World Cup.
Dick Cheney’s death means that the earliest U.S. presidential election in which all four people who made up the major party tickets are still alive is now 2012.
November 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Dick Cheney’s death means that the earliest U.S. presidential election in which all four people who made up the major party tickets are still alive is now 2012.
Gerd Müller, arguably the greatest pure goalscorer of all time, was born on this day in 1945.
He is the last player to have scored two hat-tricks in one World Cup (1970) and only Lionel Messi at Barcelona (672) has scored more goals at a top-level European club than Müller's 566 at Bayern Munich.
He is the last player to have scored two hat-tricks in one World Cup (1970) and only Lionel Messi at Barcelona (672) has scored more goals at a top-level European club than Müller's 566 at Bayern Munich.
November 3, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Gerd Müller, arguably the greatest pure goalscorer of all time, was born on this day in 1945.
He is the last player to have scored two hat-tricks in one World Cup (1970) and only Lionel Messi at Barcelona (672) has scored more goals at a top-level European club than Müller's 566 at Bayern Munich.
He is the last player to have scored two hat-tricks in one World Cup (1970) and only Lionel Messi at Barcelona (672) has scored more goals at a top-level European club than Müller's 566 at Bayern Munich.
Since the Football League started in 1888, Everton's first loss in a competitive game at all three of their stadiums has been by exactly three goals:
Anfield in 1888: 1-4 vs West Brom
Goodison Park in 1892: 1-4 v Sunderland
Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025: 0-3 v Tottenham
Anfield in 1888: 1-4 vs West Brom
Goodison Park in 1892: 1-4 v Sunderland
Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025: 0-3 v Tottenham
October 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Since the Football League started in 1888, Everton's first loss in a competitive game at all three of their stadiums has been by exactly three goals:
Anfield in 1888: 1-4 vs West Brom
Goodison Park in 1892: 1-4 v Sunderland
Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025: 0-3 v Tottenham
Anfield in 1888: 1-4 vs West Brom
Goodison Park in 1892: 1-4 v Sunderland
Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025: 0-3 v Tottenham
Burnley have now conceded more league goals this season than they did in the whole of last season (17 to 16).
October 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Burnley have now conceded more league goals this season than they did in the whole of last season (17 to 16).
Arsenal’s defence has been superb so far this season, so I've taken a look at the glorious and quirky history of teams simply not conceding many goals:
Which side let in just 11 to win their only title?
Which team conceded only 12 goals but came third?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Which side let in just 11 to win their only title?
Which team conceded only 12 goals but came third?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
How many defensive records could Arsenal break this season?
From Chelsea's 15 goals conceded in 2004-05, to Cagliari's 11-goal season in 1969-70, these are the records Arsenal are chasing
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Arsenal’s defence has been superb so far this season, so I've taken a look at the glorious and quirky history of teams simply not conceding many goals:
Which side let in just 11 to win their only title?
Which team conceded only 12 goals but came third?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Which side let in just 11 to win their only title?
Which team conceded only 12 goals but came third?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
On this day in 1963, England beat 'Rest of the World' 2-1 at Wembley in a match marking 100 years of the FA.
England players were awarded caps.
ROW line-up: Yashin, Santos, Schnellinger, Pluskal, Popluhár, Masopust, Kopa, Law, Di Stéfano, Eusébio, Gento.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCX...
England players were awarded caps.
ROW line-up: Yashin, Santos, Schnellinger, Pluskal, Popluhár, Masopust, Kopa, Law, Di Stéfano, Eusébio, Gento.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCX...
England V World (1963)
YouTube video by British Pathé
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
On this day in 1963, England beat 'Rest of the World' 2-1 at Wembley in a match marking 100 years of the FA.
England players were awarded caps.
ROW line-up: Yashin, Santos, Schnellinger, Pluskal, Popluhár, Masopust, Kopa, Law, Di Stéfano, Eusébio, Gento.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCX...
England players were awarded caps.
ROW line-up: Yashin, Santos, Schnellinger, Pluskal, Popluhár, Masopust, Kopa, Law, Di Stéfano, Eusébio, Gento.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCX...
Lev Yashin, the greatest goalkeeper in history, was born on this day in 1929.
He played a key part in the Soviet Union winning the inaugural Euros in 1960 and was in four of their World Cup squads.
Yashin also played Ice hockey, as a goalkeeper, winning the Soviet Cup in 1953 with Dynamo Moscow.
He played a key part in the Soviet Union winning the inaugural Euros in 1960 and was in four of their World Cup squads.
Yashin also played Ice hockey, as a goalkeeper, winning the Soviet Cup in 1953 with Dynamo Moscow.
October 22, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Lev Yashin, the greatest goalkeeper in history, was born on this day in 1929.
He played a key part in the Soviet Union winning the inaugural Euros in 1960 and was in four of their World Cup squads.
Yashin also played Ice hockey, as a goalkeeper, winning the Soviet Cup in 1953 with Dynamo Moscow.
He played a key part in the Soviet Union winning the inaugural Euros in 1960 and was in four of their World Cup squads.
Yashin also played Ice hockey, as a goalkeeper, winning the Soviet Cup in 1953 with Dynamo Moscow.
On this day in 1960, Jimmy Greaves scored the first of his record six England hat-tricks in a 9-0 win vs Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier. It was his ninth cap.
Harry Kane is one hat-trick away from equalling Greaves' record total (Gary Lineker also scored five hat-tricks).
Harry Kane is one hat-trick away from equalling Greaves' record total (Gary Lineker also scored five hat-tricks).
October 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
On this day in 1960, Jimmy Greaves scored the first of his record six England hat-tricks in a 9-0 win vs Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier. It was his ninth cap.
Harry Kane is one hat-trick away from equalling Greaves' record total (Gary Lineker also scored five hat-tricks).
Harry Kane is one hat-trick away from equalling Greaves' record total (Gary Lineker also scored five hat-tricks).
Here's my look at the 10 smallest teams that can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup:
🤯 One side has 3% of the population at home games
🤏 Five teams with populations smaller than all 50 U.S. states
🏹 One side with players at a club called Robinhood
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
🤯 One side has 3% of the population at home games
🤏 Five teams with populations smaller than all 50 U.S. states
🏹 One side with players at a club called Robinhood
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
The 10 smallest teams that can still qualify for the World Cup
After Cape Verde's success this week, which other outsiders could yet reach next summer's tournament?
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Here's my look at the 10 smallest teams that can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup:
🤯 One side has 3% of the population at home games
🤏 Five teams with populations smaller than all 50 U.S. states
🏹 One side with players at a club called Robinhood
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
🤯 One side has 3% of the population at home games
🤏 Five teams with populations smaller than all 50 U.S. states
🏹 One side with players at a club called Robinhood
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...