6 of the Best Set Piece Specialists at the World Cup

Set pieces are an integral part of the beautiful game. Any match can change in the blink of an eye if executed correctly, whether direct or indirect free kicks, corner kicks, penalties, or even throw-ins. The World Cup features the best talent, and some of the best goals at World Cups usually involve a gorgeous free kick or a clutch penalty. This is why we’re showing some love for six of the best set piece specialists at the World Cup. If there’s anyone you feel should be on this list, let us know in the comments. 

 

Guro Reiten – Norway 

Chelsea’s Guro Reiten is one of the more technically sound players in the world. Every time she receives the ball at her feet, she’s a joy to watch. The midfield maestro is also deadly, with direct free kicks when given the opportunity. Here are two goals scored from two completely different angles.

🇳🇴 A superb free-kick from @guro_reiten 🎯

Goal of the Round contender? 🤔#WEUROGOTR | #WEURO2022 | @Heineken pic.twitter.com/KHPW8ODjR7

— UEFA Women's EURO (@WEURO) July 7, 2022

This first goal was at the Euro last summer. The angle Reiten has favored her left foot, but it takes even more skill to score from 19 yards or closer because the accuracy has to be perfect. Reiten fooled everyone and went far post instead of going over the wall, showing how difficult it is to predict where she will shoot.

✨ @guro_reiten free-kick magic ✨

That is some hit from the @ChelseaFCW midfielder 🤩#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/eBQVnEiYxQ

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 27, 2022

The second goal is even more absurd because most lefties don’t take that shot from that angle; it always favors the right-footed player for bending the ball to the far post. Reiten’s finesse and technique are sublime, and she somehow found a way to squeeze the ball into the top left corner. Teams must be cautious where they foul Norway because if Guro Reiten has even a sniff of goal, she’s a good bet to score. 

 

Megan Rapinoe – USA

Megan Rapinoe’s days of playing a full 90 minutes for club and country might be behind her, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a critical player for the USWNT. I watched her come on for the OL Reign against Angel City in person, and she immediately brought the game to life.

Whether it’s direct free kick goals, assists via indirect free kicks or corner kicks, or penalties, Pinoe has shown she can do it all.

If there’s any game at the World Cup where the USWNT have trouble scoring, Rapinoe is the perfect player to bring on to create a chance when they need it the most. 

10' BEND AND DIP IT LIKE PINOE AS MEGAN RAPINOE EQUALIZES IT FOR OL REIGN WITH THE FREE KICK GOAL! #PORvRGN pic.twitter.com/ONePLTkvCb

— Ride of the Valkyries (@rovalks) May 23, 2021

Lindsay Horan deserves to be mentioned, as she’ll likely get direct free-kick chances for the USWNT and has done it for Lyon and the Portland Thorns, but Pinoe’s set piece resume speaks for itself. Who can forget the clutch penalty she scored in the World Cup Final four years ago?

NERVES OF STEEL 💪🇺🇸

Megan Rapinoe scores her 50th international goal from the penalty spot and gives USA the lead in the #FIFAWWC final! pic.twitter.com/gjPpYOrcyl

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019

You better believe if Megan Rapinoe is called upon, she’s going to make an impact, somehow, some way. 

 

Marta – Brazil 

After Marta sat out for nearly a year in recovery, playing in a record sixth World Cup seemed like a long shot. However, she’s back healthy and looking to make even more history. Brazil’s roster has strengthened over the past couple of years, and Marta is the leader who can tie everything together. 

🐐👑🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/DEcJ8ZJLv4

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 20, 2021

Marta will likely take free-kicks from angles seen in the goal above, where it favors her left foot. Peep Debhina standing next to her, is another superstar who will likely take right-footed free-kicks where Marta won’t. The GOAT will have a chance to add to her legacy at the World Cup this summer, and a free-kick goal would surely do that. 

 

Ji So-yun – South Korea

South Korea’s superstar has been tearing it up for Chelsea in her final season with the club. Here’s one of her best free-kick goals for the Blues. 

A classic Ji So-Yun free kick vs tomorrow's opponent, Birmingham. 💫

What a beauty it was! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Njhy92xxww

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) March 19, 2022

While Ji So-yun is one of the better free-kick takers, she can also score and create chances for her teammates. So-yun will have support from a few Korean stars who also play in England, but everything for South Korea starts and ends with Ji So-yun. A glorious free-kick goal would get people’s attention at the World Cup. 

 

Sherida Spitse – Netherlands

The Netherlands will be without Vivianne Miedema at the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the talent to advance to the knockout stages. Lieke Martens and Danielle van de Donk will be critical, but Sherida Spitse is their captain and the most-capped player with 215 appearances. Not only is she their leader, but she’s one of the best long-distance free-kick takers in the world. 

This goal against Switzerland is incredible because she managed to fool the keeper at the same post she should’ve been covering. 

sherida spitse really does make magic with her free kicks pic.twitter.com/rbsfJM6sUb

— 🐐 (@dashfan08) August 15, 2019

If there’s anyone who wants to doubt her set piece skills by saying that video is from four years ago, here’s one from last year while playing for Ajax. 

Finally, a Sherida Spitse free kick goal again !💥 pic.twitter.com/3Y8DMuuQJ3

— Ray (@rayxwfc) October 21, 2022

That’s world-class watching her stick that ball in the top corner with bend and power. Assuming Lieke Martens draws a couple of fouls or two, Spitse should get her chance to score another trademark free-kick at the World Cup. 

 

Honorable Mention: Alexia Putellas – Spain

It’d be impossible to leave the consensus best player in the world off this set piece specialist list. Still, the only reason she’s being placed here is because of the ongoing situation with the Spanish Football Federation. Putellas returned to play for Barcelona, but there’s no guarantee that we’ll see her at the World Cup this summer unless either side budges. As of a month ago, both sides seem to be at a stalemate making it an absolute shame if we didn’t see Alexia Putellas at the World Cup. Here’s one of her best free-kick goals to enjoy anyway. 

the only goat who scored their free kick today, Alexia Putellas: pic.twitter.com/Oqyfevydnl

— andrɘa (@andreaxfc) June 27, 2021

 

Featured image via Getty Images

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