On the professional level many goals in soccer are scored by heading and headers win many games. Just watch any soccer highlight show that covers professional league games and you will discover that many goals result from heading. The UEFA Euro 2012 was no exception. Headers were a factor in the very first game with the 1-1 draw involving Poland vs. Greece and in the Finals in which Spain defeated Italy 4-0. During the tournament there were 31 games played. 71 goals were scored in all. Out of the 71 goals, 22 of those were headers, which is nearly 31%.
One reason for large number of goals scored on headers is the fact that players who play the wing position are usually instructed to cross the ball into the penalty area when attacking. This happens quite often during a soccer match. Players in the penalty area will get many opportunities to head those high balls that are coming from the wings. The crossing of the ball and heading towards the goal is done very quickly; As a result, the goalkeeper does not have enough time to react to the headers. Players who have the courage and the skills to head the ball will have lots of goal scoring opportunities and if the desire is there, they will score lots of goals and win games for their team. Below is the breakdown of the headers scored during the Euro 2012 tournament which extended from June 8, 2012 through July 1, 2012.
Round Robin Games
- Attacking down the right, a Polish defender’s cross found the head of Robert Lewandowski. His classy header gave no chance to the Greece defenders and keeper and put Poland ahead by a margin of 1-0. Greece would later equalize to make the final score 1-1.
- Germany and Portugal was tied 0-0 until the 74th minute in which a cross from the right side after getting a deflection of a Portugal defender was headed in by Mario Gomez in the far corner. The game ended up in a 1-1 tie.
- In Croatia 3-1 defeat over Ireland, their first and third goals were headers. For the first goal, a loose ball in the penalty area was directed into the bottom corner by Mario Mandzukic from 11 yards out. Ireland equalized as Sean St Ledger drew Ireland level with a cracking downward header from a free kick on the left. The third goal for Croatia came as Mario Mandzukic beat his man and the keeper by heading a cross to the far post.
- England got off to a good start against France as Joleon Lescott gave England the lead by heading a ball from a free kick from the right. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
- Sweden was ahead 1-0 in the second half, but Andriy Schevchenko scored two headers in the 55th and 61th minute to give them a win over Sweden. The first header was from a cross from the right side of the pitch. The second from a left side corner which was headed near post.
- Russia was first to score in their second game against Poland, when Alan Dzagoev netted in the opener in the 37th minute on a header from a brilliant free kick that was curled inside the box. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Pepe rose to give Portugal a 1-0 lead by heading the ball near post from a swinging corner from the left side of the field. They would later score to make the game 2-0. In the 41st minute, Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner scored by heading a ball that was directed back in the penalty area. About 35 minutes later, Bendtner would score another header from a right side cross. Portugal scored a late goal and won the game 3-2. Out of total five goals scored, three were headers.
- Andy Carroll got England off to a good start by executing a clinical header from a cross from the right side of the field. As the game progressed to 1-1, Sweden capitalized from a direct kick from the left side of the field. Melberg headed in a cross making it 2-1. England would eventually end up winning the game 3-2.
- Germany scored in the 19th minute against Denmark. Five minutes later Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner headed a corner in the center of the six which was met by another header by krohn-Dehli that found the back of the net. Germany eventually ended up winning the game 2-1.
- Italy’s Antonio Cassano header in the 35th minute from a corner was too much for Ireland’s Goalkeeper to handle. His goal put Italy ahead by a margin of 1-0. They ended up winning the game 2-0.
- Steven Gerrad beat a defender on right side of the pitch and crossed the ball across the six yards box. The ball went through the Ukraine keeper’s hand, took a bounce and England’s striker Wayne Rooney was there to head the ball in at the back post. This would be the only goal as England would win 1-0 and advance to the Quarter Finals.
Quarter Finals
- After taking several shots on goal, hitting posts, causing all kinds of mayhem for defenders, Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the back of the net by a diving header from a cross from the right putting Portugal in front 1-0 against the Czech. This game winner advanced Portugal to the Semi Finals.
- Germany’s corner from the right side was met by Klose on a header just outside the six yard box. The wonderful striker got high above the central defender to find the back of the net. This was Germany’s third goal in their 4-2 defeat over Greece.
- Xabi Alonso 19th minute goal against France put them ahead 1-0. He scored on a header from a cross from the left while totally free and unmarked far post. He headed the ball in the same direction where it came from. This was the 20th header so far in the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Spain went on to beat France 2-0 and advanced to the Semi-Finals.
Semi Finals
- In the Semi Final with Italy and Germany, Antonio Cassano of Italy displayed great skills by taking on defenders on the left and made a beautiful cross in the six. Mario Balotelli received the cross with a breathtaking header which put Italy ahead. Balotelli would prove to be the Hero of the match by scoring another goal 15 minutes later with a powerful right footed shot. Italy would eventually beat Germany 2-1 and advance to the Finals to face Spain.
Finals
- Spain’s Cesc Fabregas received a pass on the run and attacked Italy’s goal line on the right side of the pitch. He made a cross to top of the six which was headed in by David Silva to the far post. This was the first goal of the game and proved to be the game winner as Spain defeated Italy 4-0 to win the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Once again header was a key factor.
Spain won the Euro 2012 by displaying great possession and tactics. Now many soccer playing countries will try to imitate and incorporate their style. But it is equally important to take note of how the goals were scored during this tournament. Headers played a significant role in the UEFA Euro 2012 and accounted for 31% of the total goals. Players, coaches and teams need to be aware of this and incorporate heading in their practices. It could determine the outcome of their next match.