World Cup in Russia sets record for own goals

This year's World Cup has already seen more own goals than any previous edition of the tournament.

Sweden's Emil Forsberg, right, celebrates as Mexico's Edson Alvarez, left, scores an own goal Source: AAP

A new record has been set at this World Cup for the number of own goals scored.

Edson Alvarez inadvertently scoring Sweden's third goal against Mexico was the seventh such moment in just 42 games in Russia, surpassing the entire total from any previous tournament.

Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz was the unfortunate man to set the record in motion in the tournament's third game, when his flying header deep into injury time flashed past his own keeper Monir El Kajoui to give Iran a surprise 1-0 win.

Australia, Nigeria, Poland, Egypt and Russia have also suffered, along with Mexico.

The tally represents 6.5 per cent of the 108 goals scored so far in Russia. The previous record was six own goals at France 1998.