Central & South America

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.

Carlo Ancelotti could postpone his retirement and take Brazil job ahead of 2026 World Cup

After a devastating loss against Croatia in the World Cup semifinals, Brazil has started their hunt to replace former coach Tite with perhaps the most successful European club manager ever reportedly in the mix.

Recent reports have placed current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as the one of the Brazilian Football Federation's (CBF) top candidates to lead their squad into the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup semifinal ref assignments confirmed — every team feels cheated and wronged

After a controversial and emotionally charged quarterfinal round (who could've predicted that?), the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal referees have been announced before Tuesday and Wednesday's matches of Argentina vs. Croatia and France vs. Morocco, respectively.

World Cup semifinal referees

On Tuesday, the Argentina vs Croatia ref is Italian Daniele Orsato. You know he's legit because he took charge of Qatar's opener and Ecuador won it 2-0. He was also in charge of Argentina's victory over Mexico.  

Man-mark Messi? Croatia's three-headed midfield monster ready to immobilize entire team

DOHA - Croatia will not attempt to stop Argentina superstar Lionel Messi by man-marking him but instead will focus on immobilizing the entire team in their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, they said.

Croatia are bidding to make it to the final for the second World Cup in a row after losing in the 2018 showcase match to France.

They stunned tournament favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals after going a goal down in extra-time but dug deep to bounce back with a late equalizer and force a penalty shootout that they ended up winning.

World Cup top scorers 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honors players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a tie for goals scored. If players are tied on both counts, the winner is decided by who played the fewest minutes.

Pepe complains about referee selection vs. Morocco and says the WC has been fixed for Argentina

With the pain of the elimination still burning inside, the veteran Portuguese defender Pepe made a bold claim, saying that the World Cup has been set to give Argentina the title. 

Minutes after the 0-1 defeat against Morocco, Pepe elaborated his conspiracy theory talking with Portuguese broadcaster RTP3. And a lot had to do with the referee selection for the game against the Atlas Lions, Facundo Tello, who is Argentine. 

Con la magia de Messi, las atajadas del Dibu Martínez y el corazón en la mano, Argentina está en semifinales

El sueño de Lionel Messi de ganar la Copa del Mundo se mantiene intacto.

Argentina avanzó a las semifinales de Catar 2022 luego de despachar a los Países Bajos, en uno de los partidos más emocionantes del torneo. Para que se hagan una idea, el menú incluyo una asistencia sublime de Messi, varios empujones entre jugadores que casi nos regalan una batalla de antología, un empate de último minuto con una genialidad de táctica fija, la angustia típica del tiempo extra y una definición a penales que dejó a varios con el corazón literalmente en la mano.

What a touching moment: Ivan Perisić's son runs to console heartbroken Neymar

Once Marquinhos sent his penalty shot to the post, sealing Brazil's exit from the 2022 World Cup, Neymar broke into tears. The dream of lifting the most coveted trophy in sports was again unfulfilled.

Several teammates approached the PSG star, trying to solace him. Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, and Vinícius Jr. were among those patting his shoulder. However, the most touching moment in the sequence was when a small kid with a Croatian jersey ran to Neymar to console him.

Virgil van Dijk just landed himself a job as an NFL linebacker after hit sticking the hell out of Paredes

Virgil van Dijk might have to get a tear drop tattoo after he obliterated Argentina’s Leandro Paredes on Friday during the Netherlands 4-3 penalty defeat against the South American giants.

Friday’s quarterfinal was an intense and feisty affair as there were several skirmishes and shoving matches throughout the night.

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.

Pages