Matt Jones

No. 18: Gol Di Grosso! Gol Di Grosso! (Germany, 2006) Is there a more gut-wrenching way to lose a game than in the very last minute of extra time? As a supporter, by that point you naturally cast your mind towards a penalty shootout and what could potentially happen there. Managers do exactly the same, […]

No. 19: Poetry In Motion From La Albiceleste (Germany, 2006) One of the great things about soccer is the way in which supporters can appreciate different types of goals. A player in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo picking the ball up, beating a couple of men and then smashing a strike into the top corner […]

No. 20: South Korea’s Sensational Run (Japan & South Korea, 2002) Being the host nation or city in any tournament can typically gives rise to a duo of far removed scenarios. Some teams can crumble under the enormous pressure that accompanies this tag. The build-up, the fandom, the unrelenting intensity of proceedings can prove too […]

No. 21: Total Football, (Germany, 1974) Every so often, one team can capture the imagination of the watching world. Typically, they are sides that play in a striking style, with unique ideas and ultimately, sample their fair degree of success. In 1974, the Dutch national team—competing at their first World Cup in 36 years—did exactly […]

No. 23: Senegal Shock The World (Japan & South Korea, 2002)  Nowadays it’s traditional for the host nation to play in the World Cup opener, but back in 2002, it was the current holders France who started the first ever World Cup to be played on Asian soil. The French side were the favorites for […]

No. 24: Gemmill's Solo Stunner For Scotland (Argentina, 1978) Whilst it may seem an unfathomable prospect these days, Scotland were actually a very good soccer team towards the back end of the last century. I kid you not! Boasting arguably the world’s finest footballer at the time in Kenny Dalglish, the toughest player in the […]

No. 25: Donovan Sends The States Crazy (South Africa, 2010) After draws in their opening two games of the 2010 World Cup, the United States Men’s National Team knew that they had a wonderful chance of making it to the knockout stages. A hard earned 1-1 tie with England was followed up by a pulsating 2-2 […]

It’s no bad thing for a soccer team to have a clear stylistic identity. The annals of the game’s history are rife with iconic philosophies associated with different teams. Phrases like “Catenaccio,” “Total Football,” “Tiki-Taka” all stir memories of sides that played the game in unique ways, all sampling their own various successes. A distinct […]

So often within a long, arduous league campaign a title can hinge on the result of one game. Sure if you want to be crowned champions there is a demand to be consistent over the entirety of the season. Sure you’ll pick up some vital results along the way. But silverware at the end of […]

Everton's Goodison Park hosted an “Evening of Spanish Football” last week that saw three iconic figures in the Spanish game share their opinions with an audience of hundreds. On stage, Sky Sports’ Spanish soccer expert Guillem Balague, Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro and editor of Spanish newspaper AS, Alfredo Relaño, offered typically insightful and highly […]

Back in June 2013, Roberto Martinez was unveiled to the media as Everton’s new manager. To his left, the Toffees’ wide-eyed chairman Bill Kenwright waxed lyrical over the acquisition of the Catalan, rattling off the credentials that convinced him the former Wigan boss was the right man to take Everton forward. Understandably beaming and in […]

The draw and schedule for the 2014 FIFA World Cup has been set in stone, but how much do you know of the 32 teams that will be playing in the tournament? World Soccer Talk has you covered with previews of every team — featuring predicted line-ups, key players, honors won and much more to […]