Offering in behind from the full-back position

In his side’s win over Mali in Group B, Spain right-back Héctor Fort (2) gave an outstanding demonstration of modern full-back play, capped by a devastatingly accurate low cross that created the only goal of the game for Juan Hernández (10). Former Senegal international Pape Thiaw watched the game for FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG), and he was full of praise for the 17-year-old FC Barcelona defender: 

“[Fort] has huge ability for a modern right-back”, Thiaw said afterwards. “He has the ability to make the opponent go where he wants them to go. He is good in the air and not afraid to go into a challenge, and he is also very good at covering for his team-mates. In attack, he makes himself available for the ball, shows excellent technical ability and takes up very good positions. He calls for the ball at the right moments and when he gets it, he has the technical and tactical intelligence to get a lot of dangerous crosses into the right areas. He is one to watch for the future; watching him, I see a lot of the Brazilian Cafu.”

Thiaw’s observations are supported by some striking statistics from the game. For instance, Fort attempted four open play crosses (more than another other player on the pitch) and completed two of them – as many as all his team-mates combined. His tactical intelligence and his crucial contribution to Spain’s attacking play are both underscored by the fact that he registered joint-first for ball receptions after offering in behind the opposition’s defensive line. Fort was also responsible for eight final third entries in the outside right channel and offered to receive the ball 32 times, more often than any other defender apart from fellow full-back, Dani Muñoz (3).

This was anything but an easy assignment for a Spain team widely considered tournament heavyweights. Mali provided a stern test of their credentials, scoring two disallowed goals and outshooting their European opponents by 20 shots to 12 despite playing over half the game with 10 men. In the end, though, La Roja’s skill and intelligence made the difference as they all but ensured qualification for the round of 16. Fort demonstrated both these qualities in spades, and was a thoroughly deserving Player of the Match.