Goal average sunk dramatically when the knock out stage was entered at the European championship 1996 and the Nations Cup 1998. The approach was more avoiding the knock-out, when it had been gaining the 3 points.
France 98 did not confirm the trend.

remarkable: 

It is very difficult even for a superior team to win through a knock out system. A team that is that strong that it wins 80% matches against any opponent, is only likely to win in roughly 50% of 3-round-knock-out-stages (0.8*0.8*0.8=0.512). With winning 80% of league matches the same team would dominate the league for sure. 

remarkable: 

Since the Nations Cup format has expanded from 8 teams, no team has won all their matches at a Nations Cup final tournament. 
1998 eventual winners Egypt lost to Morocco and drew with Côte d'Ivoire. 1996 South Africa lost to Egypt. 1994 Nigeria drew with Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire. 1992 Côte d'Ivoire drew with Ghana, Cameroon, and Congo. 
In 1990, the last 8 team edition had been won by an unprecedented 5 win row of hosts Algeria. Before 1968 there had been only 3 matches to play for the winner. In the 1992 and 1994 editions a 12 team format required 5 matches, like in the 8 teams format. Since 1996 the winner will have played 6 matches. 
In World Cup history, teams winning all three of their first round matches, often have been struggling in the following rounds. Exceptions: Brazil 1970 (just elected the best team of the 20th century by an Italian soccer magazine) and France, whose perfect record was spoiled by a draw with Italy in the quarter finals then (a penalty shoot-out saved the campaign as you know). 

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