Free Kicks

How Wayne Rooney's Late-Career Revival Has Transformed Derby County

Wayne Rooney's move to MLS was declared a farewell tour, a career death sentence for a 30-something ex-Premier League star. After moderate success during his single season with Everton, Rooney was seen as a shell of his former self when he left his boyhood club for D.C. United in 2018.

Despite this criticism, Rooney flourished in the U.S., notching 23 goals in 48 games and leaving a highlight real in his wake.

Probably Sick Of Everyone Saying Van Dijk Is The Best CB, Sergio Ramos Smashes Gorgeous Free Kick Goal

Virgil Van Dijk has received plenty of credit over the last two years for his stellar defensive abilities. The Dutch defender gave the Messi-Ronaldo hegemon a run for its money in the 2019 Ballon d’Or race while leading Liverpool to a Champions League title. Many say he is the best center back in the world right now.

The One Angle You’ll Want To Play On Repeat Of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Luscious Free Kick

Liverpool is marching toward its first Premier League title in three decades. Whether it happens this week or next, it’s inevitable, just like the stupendous Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick vs Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The Reds hosted the Eagles at Anfield in what could be their final match before wrapping up the title, a 4-0 victory. The win Wednesday combined with Manchester City losing or drawing to Chelsea on Thursday would hand Jurgen Klopp’s side the trophy. 

Oscar Rodriguez Just Smashed A Legendary 35-Yard Free Kick

MADRID — LaLiga basement side Leganes snatched a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Real Mallorca thanks to a sensational late free kick from Oscar Rodriguez as they earned their first point since the season returned after the hiatus forced by the new coronavirus.

Veteran midfielder Salva Sevilla, 36, put Mallorca in front after nine minutes with a free kick which he slid under the wall and past flummoxed goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar.

FC Augsburg’s Eduard Löwen Curls In Sensational 25-Yard Free Kick

Schalke slumped to a shock 3-0 home loss to relegation-threatened Augsburg on Sunday, their fourth defeat in five games dropping them to eighth place in the Bundesliga. 

Augsburg's Eduard Löwen curled in a sensational free kick from 25 yards in the sixth minute and Nigerian winger Noah Sarenren Bazee slotted home in the 76th before Sergio Cordova added the third in stoppage time. 

6’: Eduard Löwen Free Kick 

When Messi Came To Town: The 19-Minute Hat Trick That Left America Bewitched

Messi was coming.

For the first and only time — barring a grizzled move to Inter Miami — the greatest footballer ever was going to play competitive matches on American soil. The fact that it was the Copa América — a grand old competition summoning the specters of Zizinho, Javier Zanetti and Carlos Valderrama — made it all the more fantastic. By all rights and definitions, the tournament didn’t even belong here.

Terrified Of Messi’s Free-Kick Prowess, Sociedad Defends With Entire Team In Box

Defending Lionel Messi free kicks is one of the most terrifying experiences for a soccer team. If he strikes it the way he wants, which happens more often than not, there’s likely nothing an opponent can do to prevent a goal on a free kick from within 20-25 yards. Messi has scored 19 free kicks since the start of the 2017-18 season.

You can’t blame Real Sociedad for its tactics to defend against a Messi free kick on Saturday at the Camp Nou.

This Alexandra Popp Free Kick Is A Nugget Of Joy With The Sauce To Match

While the men’s Champions League Round of 16 begins this week, the women’s competition doesn’t return until the end of March with the staging of the quarterfinals. The question — on the back of four straight titles — is can anyone disrupt Lyon’s recent hegemony of the competition?

One potential answer is Wolfsburg. 

The club won back-to-back European titles in 2013 and 2014, but in the five tournaments since, they’ve been bounced by Lyon four times (twice in the final, twice in the quarters). This season, the two clubs won’t possibly meet until the final. 

Wayne Rooney Strokes Gorgeous Free Kick Goal Against Stoke

Wayne Rooney has found his shooting boots less than a month into his stint as Derby County player-coach.

Rooney left D.C. United for the EFL Championship (England’s second division) after the 2019 MLS season, though he couldn’t play for his new club until the opening of the January transfer window.

Another Weekend, Another Martin Ødegaard Masterclass

If he continues like this, Martin Ødegaard will be playing for Real Madrid next season. It’s been nearly five years since he made his first and only LaLiga appearance for Los Blancos at the age of 16 years and 157 days, but now aged 21, Ødegaard is finally shining in Spain’s top division while on loan at high-flying Real Sociedad. 

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