Forget stylish attacking moves, this is set-piece FIFA World Cup
The possession football championed by coaches like Pep Guardiola is supposed to produce aesthetically-pleasing goals. Against strong defenses and world-class goalkeepers, sometimes you need to go back to basics.
Croatia's Luka Modric scores his side's second goal from the penalty point during the group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia. | AP
Germany's Toni Kroos, left, kicks a free kick during the group F match between Germany and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. | AP
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after he scored his third goal with a free kick during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia. | AP
Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson saves a penalty attempt by Argentina's Lionel Messi during the group D match between Argentina and Iceland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia. | AP
Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson saves a penalty by Argentina's Lionel Messi during the group D match between Argentina and Iceland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia. | AP
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal with a free kick during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia. | AP
Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas fails to stop Serbia's Aleksandar Kolarov scoring the opening goal during the group E match between Costa Rica and Serbia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena in Samara, Russia. | AP
Brazil's Neymar, left, kicks a free kick during the group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. | AP
Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is beaten by a penalty from Croatia's Luka Modric during the group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia. | AP
Croatia's Luka Modric, kicks a penalty during the group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia. | AP
