Using channel runs to disrupt defences and score

Depending on where the opposition’s defenders were located on the pitch, these runs generally occurred in the inside channel but sometimes happened in the outer channel.

FIFA’s Technical Study Group observed this specific movement consistently throughout the tournament, noting how it contributed to attacking success and the creation of genuine goalscoring opportunities. Teams combined intelligent, well-timed runs with accurately weighted line-breaking passes to receive the ball behind their opponent’s defensive line, creating opportunities for cut-back crosses.

“This is one of the most important movements that can be made in the final third to unlock defensive structures, with forward running momentum,” says TSG expert Damien Duff. “Blindside runs off the shoulder of the defender are very difficult to track successfully and draw defenders and midfielders out of shape, leaving space elsewhere that can be exploited.”

What was particularly interesting during FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 was how these channel runs were used to disrupt and disorganise different defensive set-ups in different ways.

• Maintaining width and using wide areas to draw out or engage the opposition full-back

• Position a forward player centrally to occupy the centre-backs

• Use the pocket space in front of the full-back and nearest centre-back to access the inside channel when it opens

• The reception of the ball behind the defensive line draws recovering defenders towards the ball, opening central space around the penalty area

• A late runner to this space can receive a cut-back cross unopposed.

Intentional positioning is crucial in order to occupy defenders and create the opportunity to expose the inside channel. In the example below, the USA are building possession against Morocco’s mid-block and successfully open this space to facilitate a reception in behind the defensive line in the sequence preceding a goal being scored from a cut-back cross.

The intentional movements and timing of runs/passes came from a well-rehearsed attacking sequence, which was designed to disrupt Morocco’s block structure. By intentionally opening and attacking spaces using the channel between the opposition full-back and centre-back, the USA created and capitalised on a high-value goalscoring opportunity.

Tournament runners-up Austria had a more direct approach in their attacking play, but they too used the inside channel run to great effect on their route to the final. In clip 2 below, we see how they expose New Zealand’s defence, using a different point of attack but the same key principles, as illustrated in the images below, breaking down the mechanics of how this goal was constructed.

This more direct style from Austria compounded the value of these channel runs and showed how they could be initiated using different approaches and initial points of attack by having the centre-forward as the trigger point for the sequence.

Tournament winners Portugal dominated possession and actively used player rotations and intentionally locked on 1v1 with opposition defenders to aggressively create opportunities for inside channel runs.

The clever and intentional positioning from Portugal’s attacking players forced Mexico’s defenders into parts of the pitch they did not want to be. Recovering midfielders, therefore, had to prioritise covering the space those defenders would normally occupy, thus conceding the desired space for the late run from deep by centre-midfielder Miguel Figueiredo (8), who scored from the cut-back cross.

Across the tournament, this type of run proved to be an effective attacking strategy, with finalists Austria and Portugal among the best-performing teams for converting these runs directly into goalscoring opportunities. They also demonstrated how the same principles of utilising channel runs could be applied in different attacking styles.

The runners-up, Austria, tended not to dominate possession in their matches, instead preferring to defend aggressively, using the inside channel run tactic in fast transitions and direct attacks. Winners Portugal preferred to control possession, using positional rotations in their build-up play to execute the principles of creating opportunities for inside channel runs.

In addition, the 10 teams that ranked highest for volume of performing these movements all qualified for the knockout rounds of the competition, pointing to a direct correlation with tournament success.

Channel runs, particularly in the inside channel, proved very effective in the creation of dangerous goalscoring opportunities. Teams also demonstrated tactical diversity in how they could be used successfully within different attacking styles.