Twitter Shuts Up When Penalty Kicks Are Taken
Twitter data's discovered a neat pattern by examining usage during a World Cup shootout. Just like people at a bar or on a couch, everyone gets quiet on Twitter right before each penalty kick.
The chart above chronicles penalty kicks in the Brazil-Chile match from June 28, using the rate of tweets per second for all tweets. Twitter data scientists noticed that people stop sending tweets before a kick and predictably send a ton of tweets depending on the outcome. Cherish those moments of silence, people.
[ Twitter]
Latest
Why the WNBA Won't Monetize Sophie Cunningham's Viral Point
Tue Jul 21 2026
What Prediction Markets Are Telling Us About NFL 2026 MVP
Mon Jul 20 2026
The Sacramento Kings Need to Blow It Up Before It's Too Late
Mon Jul 20 2026
Ben Askren Didn't Win the Match—But He Won the Weekend
Mon Jul 20 2026
Latest Betting
- UFC Fight Night Best Betting Picks for Du Plessis vs. Usman in OKC
- France vs. England Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Third-Place Match
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Friday July 17 Best Betting Picks and Props
- July 17 White Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction, Odds and Best Bets
- Three MLB Futures Bets to Make After the All-Star Break
- Three Heisman Trophy Sleepers Worth Betting Before the 2026 Season
- England vs. Argentina Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Semifinal

