Belaili strike shines in goals scored analysis

During the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup 2021™, a total of 83 goals were scored across 32 games, with an average of 2.6 goals per game. There were 34 first half goals, 43 second-half goals and 3 were scored in both the first and second halves of extra-time.

Interestingly, 19 (23%) of the total number of goals were scored in injury time (ie, time added on at the end of the first half, second half or extra-time periods.) Six of these proved to be match-winning goals.

Tournament winners, Algeria scored the most goals (13) with hosts Qatar second in the total goals scored rankings (12), their 5-0 quarter-final victory against the UAE accounting for almost 42% of their goals. Algeria showed consistency also, scoring two goals in four of their six matches, with an overall average of 1.6 goals per game.

Morocco had the highest average goals per game with 2.1. The most goals scored in a game was six, Jordan’s 5-1 Group C victory over Palestine and Tunisia’s 5-1 over Mauritania in Group B. Of the 83 tournament goals, 42 were right-foot finishes, 20 were left-foot finishes and 17 were headed goals.

Of the 83 goals scored, 32 were as a direct result of an offer to receive by the goalscorer, half of which were offers in behind.

The offer to receive in behind can occur when a player is playing tight to the opponent's last defensive line and receives the ball from a through pass in behind the defensive line (a term we refer to as from final unit in the FIFA football language).

Algeria forward Baghdad Bounedjah offered for, and received, the ball in behind the final unit more than any other player in the tournament (35 times), leading to six attempts on goal by his team.

However, Egypt's Mohamed Sherif showed greater efficiency. His team generated eight attempts on goal from his 17 offers to receive in behind.

Getting in behind the final unit and generating an attempt at goal in the FIFA Arab Cup

Image depicts a player offering to receive in behind the opposition's final unit

After the ball goes into contest, Qatar transition to a counterattack, with Akram Afif making a positive forward run, in front of the last line of Iraq's defence to receive in behind.

From a cutback cross in the final third, Msakni times his run perfectly and points, to make an offer to receive between Mauritania's centre backs. He receives to finish at the first post.

Yazan uses a body movement to make an offer to receive in behind Palestine's last defensive line. He receives the through pass before shifting the ball onto his left foot to round the goalkeeper before scoring for Jordan.

From a build-up from their goalkeeper, Algeria break successive lines before Bounedjah's offer to receive from the central channel in behind Sudan's unit 3 to create his goalscoring opportunity.

Sherif takes up a position high against Sudan's last defensive line, using his body movement to indicate an offer from the final unit to receive in behind. He successfully receives the lofted pass before scoring for Egypt.

There were 14 goals scored from offers to receive between units 1 & 2 and units 2 & 3. Eight goals came as a result of offers to receive between lines 2 & 3 and six goals came from offers to receive between lines 1 & 2. Two goals came from an offer to receive in front of the opponent's team shape.

Image depicts a player offering to receive between units 2 & 3

Jaziri makes an offer to receive between Mauritania's midfield and defensive lines (between units 2 & 3) and by doing so, creates space to receive and score.

Refaat (Egypt) makes a run from the left channel and makes and out to in movement to receive between Jordan’s midfield and defensive units.

Hafidi takes up a position centrally between Palestine's units 2 & 3 where he receives the ball before scoring Morocco's third goal and his second of the game.

During the FIFA Arab Cup, 13 goals out of the 83 scored were from crosses, four of which were from cutback crosses.

There were four goals from outswing crosses, two goals from inswing crosses and three from lofted crosses.

Bandar Al Ahbabi (UAE) executes a perfectly weighted outswing cross from the right channel against Syria.

Yaseen Bahkeet (Jordan) drives to the byline before executing a cutback cross to the first post in his sides match against Palestine.

Abdullah Fawaz (Oman) executes a beautifully weighted lofted cross to the second post against Qatar.

The tournament's top scorer and adidas Golden Boot winner was Seifeddine Jaziri with four goals. The creative Tunisia forward had a significant impact for his team, particularly in the final third of the pitch through his clever movement and his ability to score goals in a variety of ways. His ability to occupy defenders and then move into space made him a difficult opponent for the team’s he played against.

His willingness to create space to receive in behind defensive lines or in between units demonstrated how prepared he was to work hard to create goal scoring opportunities.

Jaziri offers to receive between Mauritania's midfield and defensive lines before scoring his first goal of the tournament for Morocco.

Jaziri offers to receive in behind on two occasions, receiving the second time before finishing to score his second goal against Mauritania.

Jaziri takes up a position in the central channel and supports the attack by pulling wide to open space before scoring from the loose ball.

Jaziri makes good movement from the central channel to get in behind the centreback and score at the second post.

Morocco centre-back, Badr Benoun shared a four-way tie for joint-second place in the goal scoring rankings bagging three for his team. He was the only defender to rank in the tournament's top five goalscorers.

All three of his goals came from set plays; one from a corner, one from a freekick and one penalty.

Morocco centre-back, Badr Benoun scores from the penalty spot.

Morocco centre-back, Badr Benoun scores from a set play (corner).

Morocco centre-back, Badr Benoun raises highest to score from well delivered free-kick.

adidas Golden Ball winner Yacine Brahimi (Algeria), Qatar striker Almoez Ali and Jordan forward Yazan Alnaimat all scored three each.

Of the 83 goals scored in the tournament, our TSG were unanimous when it came to their favourite one. All four voted for Belaili's exquisite strike from 41 yards in Algeria's quarter-final victory over Morocco. With the game delicately poised at 1-1, Belaili's goal in extra-time put his side in front, before Badr Benoun equalised for Morocco. Algeria went on to win the match 5-3 on penalties but it was Belaili's goal that was the standout goal.

"An extraordinary individual action based on exceptional vision and a perfect execution," remarked Michel Sablon. "Such an opportune moment and unbelievable execution," according to Steve McClaren.

"Not the type of goal you see every day, I really enjoyed that one. It was so instinctive; he never even checked his shoulder. He just saw it and went for it," commented Dwight Yorke.

"What a hit! To not only see the opportunity but to execute a strike like that from that distance, unbelievable," added Jürgen Klinsmann.

A superb demonstration of vision, confidence, instinct and technical execution by Algeria forward Belaili as he scores the FIFA TSG's favourite goal of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.