Before the 2018 finals in Russia began, England hadn’t scored from a corner at a World Cup since Matthew Upson’s consolation when Germany ran riot in Bloemfontein.
Fast forward a few weeks, and Gareth Southgate’s team are in the final four of the World Cup, four of their 11 goals coming from corners.
Those four goals (two for Harry Kane and one each for John Stones and Harry Maguire, in case you were wondering) make up half of the eight goals that England have scored from set-pieces so far. That’s 73%.
Harry Maguire of England celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia
Image credit: Getty Images
That figure is the best of any team to score more than three goals in Russia with only Australia, Iran and Poland (for all of whom their solitary two goals in Russia were from set-pieces) able to better England of all 32 sides.
Much has been made of the work done by England’s attacking coach Allan Russell, a former journeyman striker who noticed the benefits of set-pieces during his time as a coach in America.
The American theme also returns when you consider how much inspiration Southgate himself has taken from both the NFL and the NAB. He has spoken of how he likes to use those sports to give examples of how to create space in tight areas, something which is absolutely vital at set-pieces.
Sweden vs England - Samara Arena, Samara, Russia - July 7, 2018 England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates their first goal scored by Harry Maguire
Image credit: Reuters
So far the work of Russell, Southgate and assistant coach Steve Holland, who was on the staff at Chelsea when they were one of the best teams in England from set-pieces, is evident.
From the ‘Love Train’, which sees England’s players line up behind each other at corners, to the ruthless efficiency from the penalty spot, everything has been clearly been worked on.
Southgate has been open about how prepared he wants this team to be and made no secret before the Colombia game that they had been practicing penalties.
It shows in the variation in their set-piece goals. Four from corners, three penalties and one from a free-kick as Ashley Young and Kieran Trippier continue to threaten with their delivery. In fact, the only thing England are missing is a direct goal from a free-kick.
Sweden challenge for the ball with Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson of England during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia
Image credit: Getty Images
Looking to the semi-finals, and England’s strength from dead-ball situations could be what gives them the edge.
France (33%), Belgium (29%) and Russia (45%) Croatia (30%) haven’t exactly proven themselves to be specialists from set-pieces thus far, and indeed, if anything have looked vulnerable. Belgium and Croatia, in particular, were carved open from corner with alarming ease against Brazil and Iceland respectively and you would imagine it would be no different against England.
Of course, the flip side to any argument like this is that it means that England aren’t being creative enough from open play. That is a fair accusation against this England team, but it is clear for most to see that this is a team that is still growing into Southgate’s 3-5-2 system.
It is a positive sign that this management staff has worked so diligently on preparing the players so rigorously on something that is so coachable in a short space of time, and equally positive how receptive the players have been to their ideas.
In a World Cup that has seen 43% of the goals scored by set-pieces, England are only going to get better from open play as the tournament goes on and, if they combine that with their set-piece threat, then they are going to be a match for anyone in the remaining matches…
:focal(140x151:142x149)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/04/28/2811917-58003384-310-310.png)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/07/2368042-49259610-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/07/2368114-49261050-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/07/2368061-49259990-2560-1440.jpg)