Skills

Why soccer players lie behind the wall during free kicks and how the tactic started

If you’re a casual soccer fan who tunes in for the World Cup and the occasional game, you probably noticed an odd tactic. “Why does a player lie down behind the wall in soccer?” you may have asked yourself.

Why does a player lie down behind the wall in soccer?

The tactic of having a player laying down behind the wall is simple. Having a player lay down behind the wall denies the free kick taker any chance at shooting the ball underneath the wall when the players jump.

Gio Reyna shows USA exactly what it was missing with banger in Dortmund friendly

Giovanni Reyna is back with the people who love him most. After getting all of 52 minutes at the World Cup despite being fully fit, the 20-year-old American eclipsed that total Saturday during a 60-minute performance in a Borussia Dortmund friendly against Rapid Bucharest.

If you were wondering what all the fuss was about concerning Gregg Berhalter's decision to keep Reyna on the bench, this thunderbolt in Dortmund's 2-1 win should answer your questions.

Messi provides one of the greatest assists of his career in World Cup quarterfinals

When the Netherlands ceded possession to the United States in the World Cup Round of 16, it was a departure from football history but a masterstroke from the Dutch: they knew the U.S. wouldn't have the quality to find that final pass in the attacking third and that they'd slice the Americans apart going the other direction.

A similar approach could be seen by the Netherlands at the start of its quarterfinal match against Argentina. Playing in a 3-4-1-2, the Dutch packed the middle of the park and said there's no way you're finding joy centrally.

Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal sends Marcos Llorente back to Spain with filthy skill

Spain manager Luis Enrique made the surprise decision to start Marcos Llorente at right back for his team’s Round of 16 clash with Morocco. Llorente hadn’t played a single minute in this World Cup before Tuesday and Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal had a field day with him in the first half.

Boufal was a Moroccan menace in the opening 45 minutes showing off a variety of skills and good dribbles. The 29-year-old winger who plays for Angers in Ligue 1 made Llorente’s life a living hell.

Brazil's four-goal first half vs. South Korea was football heritage

In a World Cup of meticulously calculated added time, South Korea was extremely grateful to the officiating crew for only adding five minutes to the end of the first-half Monday after Brazil scored four salacious goals and accented each with a three-part dance production.

You felt bad for the Taegeuk Warriors because it definitely got embarrassing, but this is why you always, without fail, put Brazil on the television when they're playing at a World Cup — this is the beautiful game.

El cañonazo de Luis Chávez consigue una curiosa marca en el Mundial 2022

Luis Chávez fue, sin lugar a dudas, el mejor jugador mexicano del Mundial.

El mediocampista del Pachuca tuvo un gran desempeño a lo largo de los tres partidos en la fase de grupos, coronando todo con un gol de tiro libre frente a Arabia Saudita que, para muchos, ha sido uno de los mejores de la Copa del Mundo hasta el momento.

Una bala a la escuadra.

Pittsburgh advances in NCAA soccer tournament by playing dead

When put in a situation of extreme adversity, there's no better plan of action than feigning death. I've read all the leadership books and they all agree that playing possum is the most effective form of self-help. Just wait enough time and all your problems will leave you alone. 

If you're talented enough, it's also an effective strategy out on the pitch.

Beware Spain! Costa Rica beat Nigeria with fantastic display of TICO-taka

Barcelona and Spain's national team popularized tiki-taka in soccer. But their hypnotic passing style — when a squad tries to control the ball and dominate its opponent — is not alone . In Costa Rica there exists the tico-taka, which was on full display during a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Wednesday night. 

It's true we're used to seeing Costa Rica with a more rough and raw style of play, but from time to time they show they can produce beautiful and poetic moments of fútbol. And that's when this tico-taka appears. 

Guy messes up shot so bad it goes full Roberto Carlos and becomes Puskás contender

Every weekend in global football ushers forth a new 30-yard screamer, mesmerizing solo dribble or acrobatic display of technical ability to feast on, but it's a rare thing indeed to see an effort of such bend and swerve that it makes Roberto Carlos weep gentle tears upon his tree trunk legs.

Bend it like Beckham? David Beckham never took a shot near the halfway line that looked destined for a throw-in on the near touchline before violently changing course and swazzing inside the far post. No, bend it like this guy on Kvk Avelgem in Belgium's fourth provisional division. 

Lionel Messi scores a screamer from 30 yards out to inspire comeback victory vs. Troyes

PARIS — Lionel Messi grabbed a goal and assist to inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-3 comeback victory over Troyes on Saturday as the Ligue 1 table-toppers extended their lead to five points.

Troyes had stunned the crowd at the Parc des Princes when Mama Balde volleyed home in just the third minute but PSG midfielder Carlos Soler equalized after a superb pass from Neymar as the two teams went into the break at 1-1.

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