How goalscoring chances were created using fast, vertical play

During this tournament, in-possession time decreased by 199 minutes, while the time attacking teams spent in the final third decreased by 115 minutes and 48 seconds, compared to FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™. This equates to a 22.9% overall decrease from 2023, indicating a shift towards shorter possession sequences in the final third and a trend of progressing the ball faster and more efficiently.

According to Technical Study Group (TSG) expert Marcelo Jara, “We saw a clear trend towards faster, more purposeful possession. Teams didn’t rely on long passing sequences to progress the ball. Instead, the focus was on tempo, precision and verticality, using quick connections to access the final third in fewer actions.”

An analysis of attempts at goal generated within 10 seconds of a possession regain in the attacking half reveals how teams used speed, forward intent and positional readiness to turn defensive actions into immediate attacking chances.

Nigeria were the most efficient team for generating fast counter-attacks that resulted in attempts at goal, averaging 9.9 per 60 minutes in possession. Colombia (8.5) and Japan (8.3) also ranked in the top three for efficiency, with all teams having clear ideologies and structures behind their counter-attacking intent.

In clip 1 below, we see how Colombia orchestrated and scored from a possession regain in the attacking half. They press South Africa with key triggers, and as soon as the ball is contested, their winger anticipates a reception of the ball by immediately changing his body shape and making a forward run. He targets the space vacated by the opposition left-back, who is high attempting to support their build-up, and runs behind the defensive midfielders. The additional and immediate support runs create a 4v2 advantage against South Africa’s centre-backs before the swift move finishes with a goal.

The characteristics of these fast transitions were also detected from regains that occurred in deeper positions, with a total of 13 goals scored within 15 seconds of winning possession in the defensive half. Again, Colombia set the standard here, generating 15 attempts at goal and scoring four goals within 15 seconds of winning the ball back in their own half.

In clip 2 below, we see the intention and anticipatory structure that facilitates these fast, vertical attacks. As soon as Colombia regain possession, they have five players ahead of the ball holding clear and deliberate positions. They establish controlled possession while players ahead make forward runs to create space and depth. Notably, they have five players in the attacking third supporting the attack and five players maintaining a rest-defence structure.

While teams like Spain, Brazil, France, Mexico and the USA generally favoured a more controlled possession-based build-up through the thirds, including after possession regains, other teams preferred faster, more direct approaches. While the principles of these approaches were consistent, with fast, first passes forward, the strategies used by teams differed. Our Technical Study Group (TSG) noted this was centred on the specific attributes of the forward players in their teams and on players’ game awareness, being able to recognise when fast, vertical play was viable and when keeping possession was a better option.

As TSG expert Marcin Dorna notes, “These sequences are learned. You must work with young players to develop their timing and ability to read and see game scenarios. The switch in the mindset of the players when going from defending to transitioning to attack is very important, as is understanding what the intentions are. For example, Colombia’s players switch quickly into the next attacking phase mentally, whereas Spain’s players switch to keep the ball. These are trained behaviours and can come down to the DNA and game awareness of the team.”

In the clips selected below, we see some different approaches to fast, vertical play from Chile, Japan and Australia.

Drawing pressure to open and access vertical space

The technical capabilities of Chile’s players meant they were comfortable drawing pressure from their opponents to open space elsewhere. Using long and short passes, and runners with the ball, they played over and through opposition defensive lines with direct, vertical passes combined with support runs and offers to receive. They moved the ball quickly using minimal touches to play out of pressure and ball-carriers to penetrate open space.

Another example of playing out of pressure is seen in clip 4, where Australia regain possession in a wide area, and Italy quickly initiate counter-pressure. The technical capacity of the players to move the ball quickly in tight spaces is crucial here, as is the timing of the support runs and offers to receive to release the ball vertically into space.

Minimal touches and minimal passes

Again, the technical proficiency of Japan’s players (competent using both feet) is evident here as they progress the ball at speed with minimal touches and few players involved. In this possession sequence, as the ball-carrier approaches the final third, they turn a numerical disadvantage 3v4 into a 1v1 with the goalkeeper using correct timing of the run and pass.

Change of tempo and vertical play against a low block

When facing a low block, there is less space behind the opponent’s defensive line, so accessing that space requires patience to create gaps in the block structure before using fast, vertical play to exploit it. France, the USA and Spain were among the teams that faced low blocks the most.

When defending teams adopt deep, compact shapes, the attacking team dominates possession naturally, often recycling the ball repeatedly to shift defensive lines and create openings. In clip 6 below, we see France execute an extended possession sequence against Norway’s low block, attempting to draw the players out and create spaces. Once the space is identified, they change the tempo and approach with a quick, vertical ball over the block to set up the game’s opening goal.

• Technical capacity of players to play fast, forward passes using minimal touches

• Draw pressure to open space and quickly play into it

• Immediate supporting runs targeting vulnerable space

• Fast ball progressions to exploit the space

• Maintain a rest-defence structure to protect against any turnovers

• Intentional forward runs to commit or overload defenders

• Early vertical passes to minimise recovery opportunities for recovering defenders