The precise passes spanning across the football field, sensational through-balls accompanied by the timely runs make football a delight to watch. To sum it up, it is not the goals that make football a beautiful game, but the build-up play leading to them.
There have been multiple instances when a team enjoyed possession for long periods and kept the opposition on their toes by the rotating the play. A few teams did manage to play the final ball and break the deadlock by finding the back of the net.
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Although it is obvious that teams like Spain and Barcelona who play possession football make the list, there are also a few surprises which you would not like to miss.
Let us take a look at top 10 goals based on the number of passes leading up to it.
#10 Argentina vs Serbia – 26 passes
It would take something special to shadow Lionel Messi’s World Cup debut. Argentina came up with a scintillating 26-pass move against Serbia which ended with Esteban Cambiasso slamming home Hernan Crespo’s back heel. Although at #10, this goal is one of the best team goals given the platform at which the excellent football was executed.
#9 Barcelona vs Roma – 27 passes
Barcelona is known for playing the Tiki-Taka style of football on a consistent basis. In the 2015-16 season of the Champions League, Barcelona beat Roma 6-1 in a group fixture. Amidst all the goals, the best part of the fixture was Lionel Messi’s goal, which saw 27 passes being played in the build-up before the five-time Ballon dOr winner found the back of the net.
#8 Belgium vs Ireland – 28 passes
While Spain’s goal following 22 passes at Euro 2016 was widely analysed, Belgium’s 28-pass goal failed to gain recognition. Following a 2-0 defeat to Italy in the group stage opening fixture, Belgium rediscovered winning ways with an impressive display against the Republic of Ireland. The team played a series of 28 passes before Alex Witsel headed goal Meunier’s cross from the edge of the six-yard box.
#7 Barcelona vs Liverpool – 29 passes
Another masterclass by Barcelona came in the 2001-02 season of the Champions League, when the midfield maestro Xavi spotted the run of Marc Overmars following 28 uninterrupted passes. Overmars produced a calm finish in front of the loud Liverpool fans to round off a 3-1 victory.
#6 Dundalk vs St Patrick’s Athletic – 36 passes
Dundalk scored a goal to savour against St Pats in what was a 4-1 victory against the then-reigning Airtricity League champions in 2014. The build-up play comprised of 33 passes around the back, 2 passes forward followed by a long ball at the back post which was converted into goal by an incredible volley.
#5 Egypt vs Algeria – 37 passes
A beautiful build-up play for a goal was witnessed in a game played between not-so-prominent footballing nations, Egypt and Algeria in 2010. The move started with the punch of the goalkeeper after which 36 passes were made before an amazing goal at the near post from a very tight angle.
#4 Spain vs Scotland – 42 passes
Spain’s 42-pass move against Scotland in 2011 is a perfect example of Vicente del Bosque’s side that conquered international football for over a period of over 6 years. With Xavi orchestrating the midfield, the kings of Tiki-Taka pulled off a string of passes before Jordi Alba’s run along the left flank was spotted who in turn cut the ball back for Silva to beat the Scotland shot-stopper Allan McGregor.
#3 Manchester United vs Southampton – 45 passes
Although Van Gaal was widely criticized for his footballing philosophy with Manchester United, the 45-pass build-up play that led to a goal against Southampton is an example of the quality players installed by him in the team. A visionary through ball by Schweinsteiger found Memphis Depay whose shot struck the post, but the rebound was netted calmly into the goal by Juan Mata.
#2 Tottenham vs QPR – 48 passes
In a league fixture against QPR, Tottenham held possession of the ball for over two minutes straight without QPR getting a single touch. The conversion of the 48-pass move into a goal by Nacer Chadli provided the icing on the cake. What makes the goal even more special is that every member of the Spurs XI completed a pass in the build-up to the Chadli’s goal.
#1 Liverpool vs Bournemouth – 51 passes
Brendan Rodgers spoke of a philosophy known as ‘Death by football’ when he arrived at Liverpool in 2012. Although the ideology did not work on a consistent basis, Liverpool did show glimpses of what the then-Liverpool manager envisioned to implement in the team. In a League Cup fixture against Bournemouth in 2014, Liverpool scored a remarkable goal which was a culmination of 51 passes and involved all 10 of the Reds’ outfield players.
YOUTH LEVEL
The below-mentioned two goals gain extra points as they come from the youth level and embark a promising footballing future.
AO Giannina youth team vs Atromitos – 19 passes
This goal involves two youth teams of Greece with one of them outclassing the other with an excellent display of football. This goal also involves a Cruyff turn by the goalkeeper!
Ipswich Town’s U14 vs Brentford U14 – 13 passes
In a fixture between two U14 teams of English clubs, Ipswich Town’s academy products got the better of Brentford when they pulled off a string of 13 passes in the build-up for an impressive goal.
