Oscar Wilde once joked that “to concede one goal direct from a corner is a misfortune, to concede two in eight days looks like carelessness.” This quote rings true for Manchester United, who recently allowed two ‘olimpicos’ — goals scored directly from a corner — in just over a week in two different competitions. The first was from Son Heung-min in the Carabao Cup quarter final against Tottenham, the second was by Matheus Cunha in the Premier League on Boxing Day. Though these goals are typically rare, Manchester United’s recent setbacks have highlighted their issues in defending set pieces.
There is a natural instinct to dismiss these goals as lucky flukes, attributing their success to goalkeeping errors rather than the skill and aim of the corner taker. However, many goals scored in this manner exist in a grey area. They involve a mix of intent from the corner taker, elements of luck, and successful execution, even if it’s not through conventional means. Former Blackburn Rovers winger, Morten Gamst Pedersen, made a name for himself scoring olimpicos, even asserting that scoring from a corner kick is like executing the perfect free kick.
Joe Jacobson, former Wyack Wanderers full-back, echoes Pederson’s sentiments. He has never set out with the express intent of scoring a goal via a corner kick but accounted for the possibility if the hit is on target. The recent trend for inswinging corners, as demonstrated by Arsenal, creates a greater chance of these types of goals. Rapinoe, an American soccer player, asserted that she intended to score a goal from a corner during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, illustrating that direct aim is sometimes a factor.
Football professionals have different tactics when attempting corner kicks. Pedersen often aimed for the goal when practicing, using a basketball hoop for added precision. Jacobson, on the other hand, focused on the angle of approach and clean striking of the ball, using pace and a low trajectory to minimize the goalkeeper’s chance of intercepting the ball. He believed that achieving the right angle was the key to ensuring the ball ended up in the right location.
From a goalkeeper’s viewpoint, letting the ball in directly from a corner kick is a major misplay, but there are circumstances where this is unavoidable. Matt Pyzdrowski, a former goalkeeper, explains that a crowded penalty area and a well-executed kick make it very difficult for goalkeepers to intervene. Therefore, it’s the responsibility of the defenders to manage the attackers effectively to prevent these direct corner goals.
While these scenarios are often practiced during training, the intensity and unpredictability of a live match make it difficult to prevent such goals entirely. Goals that are scored at the far post are often perceived as intentional, while those that make it in at the near post are seen as lucky. However, aiming for the near post is generally considered a more effective strategy. With more teams adopting Arsenal’s aggressive inswinging corner tactics, we may see more of these olimpicos in the future. Despite the perception of luck, there is usually a great deal of skill, planning, and thought behind such goals.
