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#18 Group of Death:
Of the eight World Cup groups, the one judged to be the most difficult. Think Germany, Portugal, USA and Ghana in 2014.
#17 Tackle:
Taking the ball from an opponent using your feet. Can also be a slide tackle — a favorite of the mad lads.
#16 Dead Ball:
When play is stopped and the ball is not moving. A dead ball situation is a set piece (corner, free kick, penalty).
#15 Mark:
Guarding an opponent. Man-to-man coverage.
#14 Dead rubber:
A meaningless game contested between two nations (usually a third group stage match between two already eliminated nations).
#13 Offside:
The player is offside, not “offsides”. Remember that or you're going to have a terrible time at the pub.
#12 Brace:
A player scoring two goals in one match.
#11 Golazo:
Better than a goal — a great goal.
#10 Nutmeg:
Putting the ball through a defender’s legs. The ultimate humiliation.
#9 Clean sheet:
A shutout. Like 0 - 0 you dingus.
#8 Cap:
Making an appearance for your national team. You collect caps, but not in the way that 50 Cent did.
#7 Simulation:
Diving, flopping, trying to con the referee. Being a total prick.
#6 Added Time:
The time added before half and before the final whistle to account for stoppages in play (goal celebrations, injuries, substitutions, etc.). The clock doesn't stop, but in a special sort of way, it does!
#5 Extra Time:
Overtime (two 15-minute periods, followed by penalties if necessary).
#4 Dark horse:
A team with the potential to become the tournament’s Cinderella story. The overlooked underdogs.
#3 Panenka:
A penalty kick technique in which the taker delicately lobs the ball right down the middle, devilishly deceiving the goalkeeper. Think Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup Final.
#2 Golden Ball and Golden Boot:
The two most prestigious individual awards handed out at the conclusion of the tournament — the Golden Boot is awarded to the competition’s top goalscorer, the Golden Ball is awarded to its best player.
#1 Super sub:
The cat who jumps off the bench in the 80th minute to score a vital goal.
