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Why Brazuca Is Behind The Goalkeeping Performances and Goals At World Cup 2014

By on July 7, 2014

When the USA met Belgium in their World Cup 2014 Second Round knockout match, the Belgians took 52 shots, and US goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced into 15 saves in that one match. That number of saves is five more than any other goalkeeper has made in a single match at World Cup 2014, and has not been matched at a World Cup in over 50 years.  Based on the fact that the ball is in play for 56 minutes during a normal ninety minute match, the that the US-Belgium fixture went into a half hour of extra-time, that means that Howard made a key save every five minutes the ball was in play.

And Howard’s performance against Belgium isn’t the only outstanding goalkeeping performance at the tournament by a long-shot. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas made seven vital saves against the Netherlands in Costa Rica’s Quarterfinal match, while Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa has also been highly credited for his brilliant saves at World Cup 2014. Of the back of World Cup 2010, where the highlight was goalkeeping blunders, namely Robert Green’s howler against the US, this is a big improvement for goalkeepers.

Yet forwards also seem to be benefiting. In 2010 the average shots per game rate was 2.3, and so far in Brazil it has risen to 2.8. We have also seen hatfuls of spectacular goals – Tim Cahill, James Rodriguez, and David Luiz all contributed spectacular efforts to this trend. And in 2010 the main story off the pitch was the ball, the Jabulani, which forwards and goalkeepers alike criticized for its unpredictability and sudden tendency to swerve or knuckle. Hence, Green’s howler.

However, at this tournament there has been a different story. The official match ball, the Brazuca, is not only aesthetically eye-catching, and easy for the goalkeeper to spot, but improves control of touch and shots vastly. There might be some complaints about the ball floating too much, but given that most have received the ball with enthusiasm rather than criticism tells its own story. The ball has finally captured the round texture the Jabulani only attempted to capture, perfectly.

And this has been why there have been so many incredible goals. Forwards are able to place the ball and time their efforts so much easier with a predictable and easy to control ball. However, this has also helped their opposite number – goalkeepers. No more sudden swerving and knuckling shots, bar those that the shooter actually means to hit – no more horrible blunders. Sure, Igor Akinfeev made one error due to a laser pen, but that’s it. It is only tasty to think of what great goals and saves lay ahead.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.