Tricks

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.

World Cup favorites Spain bounced by ultimate humiliation: a Panenka and a waddle

Spain's shock 2018 World Cup Round of 16 exit at the hands of Russia — when La Furia Roja took 79% possession with 1,115 passes but fell in a penalty shootout — was supposed to be the ultimate nightmare fuel for the purveyors of tiki-taka.

On Tuesday in the 2022 World Cup Round of 16, Spain suffered another incredible upset in a penalty shootout, this time to African neighbors Morocco after taking 77% possession with 1,019 passes. 

Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal sends Marcos Llorente back to Spain with filthy skill

Spain manager Luis Enrique made the surprise decision to start Marcos Llorente at right back for his team’s Round of 16 clash with Morocco. Llorente hadn’t played a single minute in this World Cup before Tuesday and Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal had a field day with him in the first half.

Boufal was a Moroccan menace in the opening 45 minutes showing off a variety of skills and good dribbles. The 29-year-old winger who plays for Angers in Ligue 1 made Llorente’s life a living hell.

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.

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. 

Nike's World Cup commercial is an instant classic

The Nike World Cup commercial 2022 is an instant classic. The full version — clocking nearly four and a half minutes — has it all: past and present versions of Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the "SIU!" together, multiple past versions of "O Fenômeno" Ronaldo getting after it, Kylian Mbappé introducing 2006 Ronaldinho to the low wall, Alex Morgan sipping tea, Edgar Davids just being Edgar Davids and so much more.

The film is part of Nike FC's Footballverse, which has its own snazzy website to explore.

Pittsburgh advances in NCAA soccer tournament by playing dead

When put in a situation of extreme adversity, there's no better plan of action than feigning death. I've read all the leadership books and they all agree that playing possum is the most effective form of self-help. Just wait enough time and all your problems will leave you alone. 

If you're talented enough, it's also an effective strategy out on the pitch.

Neymar shows off insane first touch with ball dropped from 115 feet in the air

Brazil is getting ready to take the world by storm this winter in Qatar and they’re doing so in the most Brazilian way possible: by having fun.

The national team players participated in a number of segments on "Domingão com Huck" ("Sunday with Huck") — a popular show hosted by Luciano Huck — that dedicated short profiles on the players that made up the World Cup squad.

Beware Spain! Costa Rica beat Nigeria with fantastic display of TICO-taka

Barcelona and Spain's national team popularized tiki-taka in soccer. But their hypnotic passing style — when a squad tries to control the ball and dominate its opponent — is not alone . In Costa Rica there exists the tico-taka, which was on full display during a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Wednesday night. 

It's true we're used to seeing Costa Rica with a more rough and raw style of play, but from time to time they show they can produce beautiful and poetic moments of fútbol. And that's when this tico-taka appears. 

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