ST PETERSBURG, July 10 (Agencies): After more goals came from set-pieces in this World Cup's group stage than any other, dead-ball strategy has continued to have a huge impact in the knockout phase, with five of the 11 goals scored in the quarterfinals coming from free kicks or corners.
Overall, 42 per cent of goals in the World Cup have come from set plays or penalties, beating the previous record of 36 per cent from the 1998 World Cup and smashing the portion of goals from these situations in 2014 (27 per cent), 2010 (24 per cent), 2002 (29 per cent) and 1994 (33 per cent).
This trend has powered the rise of teams that traditionally do not do well in World Cups.
Hosts Russia, the lowest ranked team in the tournament, scored five of their 11 goals from set-pieces on the way to the quarterfinals, their strongest showing since the end of the Soviet Union, and got past highly fancied Spain in the last 16 thanks to a penalty shootout.
England, meanwhile, reached the semifinals for the first time in 28 years with the help of eight goals from set-pieces, more than any other side in the tournament, including three penalties.
They also won a shootout for the first time in four World Cup attempts by knocking out Colombia in the last 16, a sign of their progress in preparing for every possible outcome.
England have been far more reliant on set-play strategy than fellow semi-finalists Belgium and France, who have struck three goals each from them, while their next opponents Croatia have scored from only one set piece and one penalty.
In a World Cup where set-pieces have played such a huge role and with teams becoming ever more cautious as the final approaches, that edge could prove the difference between England ending 52 years of hurt or falling at the penultimate hurdle.
According to a statistical analysis conducted by the New York Times, the 2018 finals has set a new record for the highest percentage of goals scored occurring after the 89th minute.
A total of 23 goals have been scored in the 90th minute and second-half stoppage time - accounting for a staggering 15 per cent of all goals scored.
That staggering percentage is almost double the eight per cent of goals scored from the 90th minute onwards at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The 2014 Brazil finals previously set the record for the highest percentage of goals occuring at the death after the clock ticks over the 89 minute-mark.
The 2018 World Cup has set a new benchmark in World Cup drama because 14 of the 23 last-gasp goals have either been match-winners - including Kane's campaign defining stoppage-time winner against Tunisia - or goals which levelled the scores.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
