Pragmatism and Set Plays Could be Decisive Factor in World Cup Success

 Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
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Pragmatism and Set Plays Could be Decisive Factor in World Cup Success

 Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Have you noticed that England are all the rage in Russia and I’m not talking about their clothes, their social media trending or the positive vibes which continue to come out of Gareth Southgate’s camp? No, England’s victory over Tunisia in their opening match was significant of the tactical fashion statement that has taken over this World Cup in the group stages.

Both Harry Kane’s goals were the result of set-piece plays and if you look at the defining moments in many games they have mainly come from dead-ball situations. Kane’s last-gasp winning goal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding free-kick against Spain and Luis Suárez’s crucial winning effort for Uruguay v Saudi Arabia have been swayed by the way teams set up defensively and offensively in these situations.

In fact, of the 38 goals scored in the opening round of matches 21 of them (53%) were scored from set-play situations, a huge increase on the overall figure at the last World Cup (25%). You could argue it is a smaller sample of games to compare, but the fact that VAR has been incorporated for the first time has completely affected the way teams are defending corners and wide free-kicks, as is the fact that more penalties are being awarded for shirt pulling and overly aggressive defending from these situations (except in England’s case against Tunisia).

Psychologically you can see that defenders are more aware of this and I see that this is leading to more and more chances coming from set plays, making the importance of organisation in these areas more crucial than ever. In England’s case, it was encouraging to see that the setups of their attacking set plays were clearly choreographed and designed to maximise the opportunities to score against Tunisia’s zonal defence.

Instead of inswinging corners and wide free‑kicks towards Tunisia’s zone, the cross was either outswinging or driven, resulting in two goals, more chances and a handful of instances where Tunisia players should have been penalised in their desperate, physical defending of these situations. It will be interesting to see how they continue to use set-play routines in the games to come.

The contrasting tactical styles of play from different nations is fantastic to watch and learn from at this World Cup, as is the fact that nearly every game has been competitive and too close to call. As the tournament proceeds into the later rounds, I’m sure there will be more excitement and tension.

Overall, the opening matches have not disappointed in terms of entertainment, passion and drama. Whether it’s been the grit and determination of Switzerland, Iceland and Iran against more talented opponents, the explosive counterattacking play of Mexico, the fundamental, beautiful, collaborative play of Spain, or the reliance of Portugal on the individual genius of Cristiano Ronaldo, all the teams have brought their own concept and idea of how football should be played and performed. It shows there is no right or wrong way to play this wonderful sport and that if every player believes in his own team’s philosophy and stays true to the collective plan, their chances of success are greatly increased.

I have been fascinated and impressed by the performances of the so-called lesser football nations who in terms of tactical organisation, fitness and a pride in wearing their national colours are standing up to the bigger sides, refusing to believe that football history and the superstars they are performing against mean they have no chance of gaining a positive result.

So far, the standard of every side, even Panama in the first half against Belgium, has meant that it has not been easy for teams to open up the lower-ranked nations in open play, due to the diligent organisation of the team unit and the improved athleticism of these players to not just sit back in a low block and soak up pressure but also to cover long distances at speed to pose a threat on the counterattack when they win the ball back in their own half.

As a result I’m seeing a tactical trend that will make all the difference to who will lift the trophy in a tournament that is seemingly wide open. Will it be the possession-based football and expansive play of Germany, Croatia, Spain or Brazil? Will it be the youth, energy and physical dynamism of England, Belgium, Mexico or Senegal? Or the reliance on defensive shape and tactical organisation based around the match‑winners in Portugal’s and Uruguay’s teams?

Given what we have seen with set plays it could come down more to the pragmatic, coachable and controllable than to each team’s style in open play, something that is so important at every level and is often the difference between a whole country rejoicing and celebrating their team’s success for years to come or crying into their beer and waiting another four years for the chance to be crowned world champions.

Still, history has taught us that the performances of the top players can make a difference and we have certainly yet to see the best of Leo Messi, Neymar and Antoine Griezmann, unlike the imperious play of Ronaldo. It’s too early to call what or who will be the most influential factor in deciding Russia 2018, but the effect of the dead ball thus far suggests that the teams going into the knockout stages will be those who are on trend.

The Guardian Sport



Mbappé Scores as Madrid Moves Closer to Barcelona in Spanish League

Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappé (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler (L) during the Spanish league football match between Club Deportivo Leganes SAD and Real Madrid CF at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappé (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler (L) during the Spanish league football match between Club Deportivo Leganes SAD and Real Madrid CF at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
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Mbappé Scores as Madrid Moves Closer to Barcelona in Spanish League

Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappé (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler (L) during the Spanish league football match between Club Deportivo Leganes SAD and Real Madrid CF at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappé (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler (L) during the Spanish league football match between Club Deportivo Leganes SAD and Real Madrid CF at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes on November 24, 2024. (AFP)

Kylian Mbappé scored and Real Madrid moved within four points of Spanish league leader Barcelona with a 3-0 win at Leganes on Sunday ahead of its eagerly awaited Champions League match against Liverpool.

Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham also scored to close the gap on Barcelona, which conceded two late goals in a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Madrid has played one game less than Barcelona after its match at Valencia was postponed because of the deadly floods in October.

Madrid will make the trip to England to face Premier League leader Liverpool on Wednesday in the Champions League, and is hoping to recover from a demoralizing 3-1 home loss against AC Milan in the previous round of matches.

Madrid's attack worked well against Leganes with Vinícius Júnior playing inside and Mbappé more on the flank. The France striker scored after going four straight games without finding the net for the Spanish powerhouse.

“We switched their positions and the team was able to stay in control during the whole match,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Mbappé said he is fine playing wherever Ancelotti puts him.

“I've said it on the first day that I can play in several different positions,” Mbappé said. “All I want is to keep playing well and scoring goals.”

Athletic wins Basque derby

Oihan Sancet scored a 26th-minute winner as Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 in the Basque Country derby.

It was Athletic's fourth straight home win against Sociedad in the derby.

The victory moved Athletic to fifth place and left Sociedad in 10th position.

Villarreal recovers late

Fourth-place Villarreal scored an equalizer in stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw at sixth-place Osasuna.

Ante Budimir scored twice in the first 20 minutes for Osasuna. Villarreal, which was coming off three straight victories in all competitions, scored through Álex Baena in the 67th and a penalty kick converted by Gerard Moreno three minutes into injury time.

Osasuna, sitting three points behind Villarreal, was coming off a 4-0 loss at Madrid.

Also Sunday, Sevilla ended a two-game losing streak in the league with a 1-0 win against Rayo Vallecano, which played the entire second half with 10 men after Unai López was sent off for a hard foul.

Djibril Sow scored Sevilla's goal in the 27th.