Goal events in football: an investigation into how football performance is impacted in a given time-period preceding a goal event

Football has evolved into a fast-paced, time-constrained sport. Over the last two decades match analysis has become a useful tool to utilize objective information that can subsequently improve performance. Defined as the ball successfully crossing the goal line, goal events are the ultimate objective of the sport. Goal events are arguably fundamental to a team’s success in football, thereby understanding the physical and technical performance in periods preceding these moments can play a pivotal role in obtaining consistency. The present study aimed to identify key aspects of football performance that may predict goal outcomes. Physical and technical performance data were collected from one professional team in their opening ten matches of their 2021/22 season. Performance indicators were analysed across offensive (goal-scoring) and defensive (goal-conceding) outcomes, as well as playing position. The data collected in the full-match, as well as the 5 minutes preceding a goal event were analysed statistically. Passing frequency, penalty area entries and shooting accuracy were most prominent in goal-scoring (p<0.05) whilst passing accuracy, crossing accuracy, sprint count and tackling success were seen to be pertinent to goal-conceding (p<0.05). The present study also confirmed significant differences for scored and conceded goals in relation to positional physical performance. A team’s ability to keep custody of the ball whilst penetrating the opposing teams most vulnerable areas of the pitch was found to relate to goal-conceding and goal-scoring, respectively. Across playing position given goal events seemed to be a consequence of differing match demands. The key performance indicators explored in this investigation highlighted what most often contributes to positive and negative match events, instead of simply what implicates winning and losing.