I’ve been watching the World Cup. It is not surprising that soccer, a/k/a football, is so popular all over the world.
As the tournament enters into the “knock-out” phase there can be no draws. If teams end tied in regulation time, they play another two fifteen minute periods. If they are still tied, they go to a shootout.
In my view, the penalty kick shootout is, simply, the most exciting thing in all of sports. (With the exception of some of the Knicks recent games.)
Five shots each from twelve yards out. Kicker against goalie. One on one. In fact, the goalie does not have enough time to react to the kick and guesses whether it’s left or right.
The teams alternate in kicks. The best score wins. And if they’re tied, they keep going until one team wins.
Soccer is a team sport. In the shootout, it’s the individuals.