This study aimed to compare goal-scoring patterns and their association with final league ranking across the five strongest men`s professional football leagues affiliated with CONMEBOL during the 2022 season. A total of 96 teams from Brazil`s Série A, Argentina`s Primera División, Paraguay`s Primera División, Colombia`s Liga BetPlay Dimayor, and Ecuador`s Serie A were analysed. Data were obtained from the BeSoccer and IFFHS databases, considering only regular-season matches and excluding play-off phases, domestic cups, and international competitions to ensure comparability. Goals were analysed across six 15-minute match intervals (0-15, 16-30, 31-45+, 46-60, 61-75, and 76-90+ minutes) using multivariate analysis of variance, orthogonal canonical contrasts, and exploratory principal component analysis. Multiple linear regression models were also performed to examine the association between goal distribution and final league ranking. Significant differences in goal distribution were identified between leagues, particularly from the second to the sixth time intervals. Paraguay exhibited higher goal frequency in the final stages of matches, whereas Brazil reached its peak in the third interval. Across all leagues, a greater number of goals was consistently observed in the second half. Regression analyses indicated that goal distribution across match periods was associated with final league ranking (R² range: 0.677-0.834); however, the contribution of specific time intervals varied between leagues. In some cases, such as late-match scoring in Paraguay, these patterns were not significantly associated with competitive outcomes. These findings suggest that goal-scoring patterns differ between South American competitions and may be influenced by temporal and contextual factors. The results provide practical insights for coaches and performance analysts, supporting the design of training strategies and tactical approaches adapted to league-specific goal-scoring dynamics.
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