Tricks

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.

USMNT inspiration is working: LAFC youth cracks unbelievable bicycle kick

Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Alexi Lalas told us this would happen — it's one generation inspiring the next after watching Christian Pulisic deliver and Tyler Adams dominate.

"If Shaq Moore can get 20 minutes in a World Cup, why not me?" is what these kids are asking themselves around the country, and they're heeding Donovan's advice to stop counting the days and to start making the days count.

13-year age gap no problem for France's deadly striking duo

DOHA - Thirteen years separate France strikers Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud but their devastating double act in the 3-1 last-16 defeat of Poland at the World Cup on Sunday showed the age gap is no barrier to a flourishing relationship.

Giroud, at 36, brings experience and guile to France's attack, while Mbappé, 23, is blessed with pace so explosive that the screens at the Al Thumama Stadium showed him hitting a top of speed of 22 mph as he tormented Poland's defense.

Watch: Richarlison goal is one of the best you will ever see

Richarlison, take a bow. There are few words that could possibly do this goal justice. After a difficult first half, Richarlison firmly stamped his name on the match with one of the all-time great World Cup goals. 

“Samba Soccer at its absolute best,” according to Stu Holden. “That is Joga Bonito. That is the Beautiful game,” added Jon Strong.

Richarlison, in his first World Cup appearance for Brazil, scored his second goal of the match with a beautiful overhead kick that will live forever, and deservedly so. 

Morocco just recalled Hakim Ziyech for the World Cup — that was a great idea

Hakim Ziyech is a shooter. We've forgotten that this year with the Moroccan winger rarely playing for Chelsea, but when the goals were flying in at Ajax he was averaging 5.3 shots per game, and when he last represented his country at a major tournament (AFCON 2019) he was firing off 4.5 per game.

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. 

Antony says he will keep doing his signature spin move because it is "art"

Manchester United's Brazil winger Antony vowed to continue with his tricks after accusations he was "showboating" during his side's 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.

The 22-year-old, who is well-known for his flair, produced one incredible 720-degree spin with the ball seemingly glued to his left foot during the Europa League tie.

Antony's trademark skill is so entirely useless that it's the best in the game

The moment we've been waiting for finally arrived Thursday during Manchester United's Europa League match against Sheriff. With the score level at 0-0 and his marker smartly giving him room, the trademark Antony spin skill — followed directly by an overweighted pass — was unleashed.

The sequence has gotten a lot of hate (the British absolutely despise this sort of thing) but that's because the internet is a foul place where joy and individual expression go to die.

Antoine Griezmann strikes an Olimpico in two-goal game for Atlético Madrid

Two second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann, one scored directly from a corner kick, gave Atlético Madrid a 2-1 win at Real Betis on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run in LaLiga to five games.

Atlético climbed back to third in the standings on 23 points, eight behind leaders Real Madrid and two from second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand and host Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday. Betis are fifth on 20 points.

It was Atlético's fifth win in six away games this season, and Betis's first loss at home.

Alphonso Davies roasts a man while cooking up a delicious assist

If you're having trouble visualizing what Canada's Alphonso Davies is about to do to the old man legs of Belgium and Croatia in World Cup Group F, Wednesday's DFB-Pokal match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg offered the perfect illustration.

Augsburg took an early lead at its home ground but Bayern struck back through an Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting brace and one from Joshua Kimmich to go up 3-1 with 30 minutes still to play. A Dayot Upamecano own goal gave Augsburg hope at 3-2, but it's the hope that kills you.

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