2014 FIFA WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL HYPOTHETICAL

Let's examine ADG with a semi final from the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a hypothetical example. (While the author believes that ADG after 90 minutes will be the optimal format, the players listed below are those who were on the field at the completion of extra time.) Both the Netherlands and Argentina have eleven players. The Netherlands have Huntelaar on a yellow card and Argentina have Demichelis also on a yellow card. The Netherlands win the toss and choose to attack in the first contest. Both teams receive an additional substitution.

The referee meets separately with the teams and records their five attackers and the order in which they will compete.

NETHERLANDS

1

2

3

5

7

10

11

15

16

19

20

Cillessen (GK)

Vlaar

De Vrij

Blind

Janmaat

Sneijder

Robben

Kuyt

Clasie

Huntelaar

Wijnaldum

ARGENTINA

1

2

4

6

10

11

14

15

16

18

20

Romero (GK)

Garay

Zabaleta

Biglia

Messi

Rodriguez

Mascherano

Demichelis

Rojo

Palacio

Aguero

Contest 1

Netherlands have Huntelaar as their attacker, while Argentina select Zabaleta as their defender. Romero is the goalkeeper. Huntelaar slides past Zabaleta and shoots from outside the penalty box. Romero makes a fantastic save to prevent the goal.

Contest 2

Argentina have Aguero as their attacker and Netherlands select Blind as their defender. Cillessen is the goalkeeper. Aguero hops past Blind and gets a long range shot away. Cillessen gets a hand to the ball and it’s enough to help it over the crossbar.

Contest 3

Netherlands have Sneijder as their attacker and Argentina select Garay as their defender. Sneijder only takes a few paces before he’s brilliantly tackled by Garay who then kicks the ball over the halfway line.

Contest 4

Argentina have Messi as their attacker and Netherlands select Vlaar as their defender. Messi tussles with Vlaar but eventually he’s away and has a clear path towards goal. Cillessen is near the edge of the six yard box when Messi delicately chips the ball over his head and into the goal.

Contest 5

Netherlands have Robben as their attacker and Argentina select Rojo as their defender. Robben is able to skip past Rojo and dribbles the ball into the penalty box. Robben gets a good shot off, but Romero manages to palm the ball out of play.

Contest 6

Argentina have Mascherano as their attacker, while the Netherlands select Clasie as their defender. Clasie stumbles slightly and Mascherano has a clear path towards goal. Cillessen is off his line, but a heavy touch from Mascherano allows the goalkeeper to sweep up the ball.

Contest 7

Netherlands have Kuyt as their attacker and Argentina select Demichelis as their defender. Kuyt is barely off the ADG mark when he’s fouled by a careless challenge from Demichelis. Kuyt hits his penalty low and hard. However, Romero guesses right and at full stretch manages to steer the ball around the goal post.

Contest 8

Argentina have Palacio as their attacker and Netherlands select De Vrij as their defender. De Vrij makes a strong challenge and gains possession of the ball before kicking it over the touchline.

Contest 9

Netherlands need to score in the ninth contest or Argentina will be the winners. Netherlands have Wijnaldum as their attacker, while Argentina select Biglia as their defender. Wijnaldum is away from Biglia and approaches the goal area. Biglia is in pursuit and just as the attacker is about to shoot the defender makes a perfectly timed tackle which forces the ball over the goal line. Argentina are through to the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup! View Completed Scorecard.

#AttackerDefenderGoalkeeperResultADG Score
1HuntelaarZabaletaRomero-NLD 0-0 ARG
2AgueroBlindCillessen-NLD 0-0 ARG
3SneijderGarayRomero-NLD 0-0 ARG
4MessiVlaarCillessenGoalNLD 0-1 ARG
5RobbenRojoRomero-NLD 0-1 ARG
6MascheranoClasieCillessen-NLD 0-1 ARG
7KuytDemichelisRomero-NLD 0-1 ARG
8PalacioDe Vrij
Cillessen-NLD 0-1 ARG
9WijnaldumBigliaRomero-NLD 0-1 ARG


"I don't think you can give anyone advice for penalty shootouts."

Gianluigi Buffon
Italian Goalkeeper