a
- Advance to the last 16
To advance to the last 16 means to qualify for the next round of the tournament, following the...
b
- Brace
A brace is when a player scores two goals in the same match.
What does it mean?
If a player...
- Breeze past
To breeze past an opponent means to beat them easily and comfortably, without any real...
- Bronze final
The Bronze Final is the match between the two losing semi-finalists at a major tournament. It is...
c
- Can't live with (an opponent)
If a team can't live with their opponent, they are unable to match their level (e.g. pace, skill...
- Come off the bench (to score)
To come off the bench means a player has entered the match as a substitute rather than starting...
- Complete the comeback
To complete the comeback means to overturn a losing position, scoring the goal that turns a...
d
- Deft touch
A deft touch describes a light, skilful touch of the ball that is often used to lift a shot just...
- Dismissed
To be dismissed means a player has been sent off by the referee and has to leave the pitch for...
- Dump out of
To dump a team out of a competition means to eliminate them, often with the sense that the...
e
- Eliminate
Eliminate: To be eliminated means a team can go no further in a tournament and must return home....
- Encroach
To encroach has two meanings in football. It is when a goalkeeper moves forward off their line...
- Ends goal drought
The phrase 'ends goal drought' means to finally score again after a long period without scoring...
g
- Gift
A gift is an unexpected advantage a team receives, often through luck, an opponent's mistake, or...
- Goal difference
Goal difference is the number of goals a team has scored minus the number they have conceded and...
- Group Stage
Group Stage: The first part of a tournament in which teams play in groups in order to qualify...
h
- Hat-trick
A hat-trick is when a player scores three goals in a single match. The player who scores the...
- Hatful
A hatful means a large number of something and in football is often used to describe a large...
- Held to a draw
To be held to a draw means a team was unexpectedly prevented from winning by a weaker or...
- Hold out
To hold out means to successfully defend a lead (or a point) under sustained pressure; resisting...
- Host
The country that holds the tournament is known as the host - to host a tournament. It also...
k
- Knock back
A knock back is a pass, usually with the head, that directs the ball backward or across goal to...
l
- Lay down a marker
To lay down a marker means to deliver a performance so impressive that it warns rivals to take...
- Lifeline
A lifeline is something such as a goal, a point, or a refereeing decision that gives a...
- Lob over the keeper
To lob the keeper means to lift the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net, usually when the...
o
- One-way traffic
One-way traffic describes a match where one team is constantly attacking and the other simply...
- Overturn
To overturn something means that a referee changes or reverses an earlier decision, usually...
q
- Qualify
The first part of a tournament in which teams play in groups in order to qualify for the...
r
- Re-taken penalty
A re-taken penalty is a penalty kick that must be taken again, usually because the goalkeeper...
- Reduced to ten (players)
To be reduced to ten players means a team has one player sent off and leaving them with ten...
- Results go their wayWhen results go a team's way it means other matches happen to turn out favourably for them,...
- Rollercoaster match
A rollercoaster match is one that swings dramatically and unpredictably between two teams, with...
- Run riotTo run riot means that a team completely dominates a match and score lots of goals against the...
s
- Scrape past
To scrape past an opponent means to beat them, but only just, after a difficult and...
- Second ballThe...
- See off an opponent
To see off an opponent means to defeat them, usually suggesting the win was achieved with...
- Shrug off
To shrug off a mistake or setback means to put it behind you and not let it affect the rest of...
- Sink a team
To sink a team or an opponent means to defeat them, especially at a crucial moment, often...
- Sit back
To sit back means to stop attacking and defend deeper, usually to protect a lead, allowing the...
- Spill the ball
To spill the ball means that a goalkeeper loses control of the ball after what should have been...
- Squad
- Statement win
A statement win is a victory so impressive that it sends a message to fans and rivals that the...
- Steal the show
To steal the show means to be the standout performer in a match, dominating attention through...
- Stoppage timeStoppage...
- Stranded
A goalkeeper is described as stranded when they are completely out of position and are unable to...
- Stubborn defence
A stubborn defence describes a team that is very difficult to break down, staying organised and...
- Stunner
A stunner is an amazing or dramatic goal, often scored from distance or in a decisive...
- Sweep aside
To sweep aside an opponent means to beat them easily and comfortably, with little real...
t
- Tee up
To tee someone up means to create an excellent scoring chance for a teammate; usually with a...
- Thumping strike
A thumping strike is a shot hit with a lot of power, especially one that results in a goal.
v
- VenueThis is the city or stadium where a game or a tournament takes place. The venue is where the...
w
- Win a shootout
To win a shootout means to beat an opponent on penalties (in a penalty shootout) after normal...
- Worldie
A worldie (worldy) is a truly exceptional, world-class goal. It one of the best goals a player...
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