Creating Goal Scoring Opportunities in International Football -– A Comparison of Successful Men’s & Women’s World Cup Teams

Background: This study explores the creation and execution of goal-scoring opportunities (GSOs) in elite men’s and women’s international football, focusing on the performance of the top teams across multiple key metrics. Methods: A total of 379 GSOs (209 for men and 170 for women) were analysed to investigate patterns in tactical execution and effectiveness. Results and conclusion: The findings reveal that while set pieces accounted for 44.1% of all goals with comparable effectiveness between sexes, GSOs from open play contributed a smaller proportion (22.6%) of successful outcomes. Men’s teams demonstrated a stronger reliance on central zones for creating GSOs, while women’s teams utilised wide areas more frequently, reflecting tactical and strategic adaptations. Additionally, set-piece opportunities were created significantly faster than open-play scenarios, emphasising their structured and rehearsed nature. This research provides valuable insights for coaches and analysts to optimise training and match strategies, while highlighting the need for further studies examining contextual factors and evolving trends in international football.