Cross examination: is old-fashioned wing play making a comeback?

What is behind the glut of goals from crosses at this World Cup? And will teams continue their aerial bombardments?

By Opta Analyst

Football is cyclical. Trends come and go. After the rise of inverted wingers, who tend to cut in and shoot, are we seeing the return of traditional wingers – those wide players who hug the touchline and send in crosses on their stronger foot?

We are seeing a lot of goals scored from deliveries into the box from out wide. In the first two rounds of games, 29 of the 48 teams at the tournament scored at least one goal within five seconds of a cross into the box.

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