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Scoring two goals in one game. The word comes from hunting, where a brace meant a pair of birds. Less celebrated than a hat-trick but still a strong individual performance. Standard term in commentary and journalism - "Kane scored a brace" is shorter than "Kane scored two."
Harry Kane scored a brace against Germany in England's 3-3 Nations League draw at Wembley in 2022, demonstrating his consistent ability to deliver multiple goals in high-profile matches.
Robbie Feb 10, 2026
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How good the shooting opportunities a team creates are, usually measured by average xG per shot. A team taking loads of shots from bad positions has low chance quality. A team taking fewer shots but from good positions has high chance quality. Guardiola teams typically have excellent chance quality because they work the ball into good areas rather than shooting from distance.
Liverpool's front three in their peak years had excellent chance quality. They weren't just shooting a lot - they were getting into positions where the xG per shot was consistently high, meaning the chances were actually good ones.
Robbie Feb 10, 2026
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Letting the ball run through your legs or past you to a teammate behind, fooling the defender. Instead of controlling or shooting, you show you're going to play the ball, then leave it. The defender buys the fake and is now out of position. Dummies require awareness that someone's behind you and trust that they know what you're doing. When they come off, they look effortless.
Bergkamp's dummy against Argentina in 1998 is legendary. He let Orie's pass run through him, fooling the defender, then controlled it on the other side and scored. The whole stadium thought he was going to control it one way.
Robbie Feb 10, 2026
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A player who excels at free kicks, corners, and penalties. They're the designated taker because they consistently deliver quality. Dead ball specialists matter because set pieces account for roughly 30% of goals. Beckham, Juninho, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are known for this skill. Teams scout specifically for players who can provide quality from dead balls.
Beckham was the ultimate dead ball specialist. His free kicks curled impossibly, his corners found heads, and his penalties were clinical. United and England built set piece strategies around his right foot.
Robbie Feb 10, 2026
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A new breed of attacking midfielder than that acts as a hybrid between an 8 (midfield engine/arriving late in the box) and a 10 (playmaker just behind the strikers). There are usually two players occupying the free 8 role, sitting just in front of a lone CDM and just behind the forwards. They often operate in the half spaces and their job is typically to create chances for the forwards. Pep Guardiola is often credited as being the person behind the free 8 role, having used it at Barcelona with Xavi and Iniesta in the role, then later at Manchester City, with Kevin De Bruyne (KDB) and David Silva in the role.
City are playing with 3 in the midfield. Well, Fernandinho as the 6 and KDB and Silva in the free 8 role.
The Gaffer
The Gaffer Feb 10, 2026
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