Big-Time Soccer Records

By Bruce Berglund

GOOAALL! Nothing thrills soccer fans more than a ball sailing by the goalie’s outstretched hands for the game-winning score—except when that big play sets a new record! Behind every big-time soccer record is a dramatic story of how a player or team achieved greatness on the field. From mind-boggling goals to the greatest fingertip saves, here are the record-setting moments that will keep soccer fans turning the page for more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781977159076

Bruce Berglund

Bruce Berglund is a writer and historian. For 19 years, he taught history at Calvin College and the University of Kansas. His courses included the history of China, Russia, women in Europe, sports, and war in modern society. He has earned three Fulbright awards and traveled to 17 countries for research and teaching. His most recent book is The Fastest Game in the World, a history of world hockey published by the University of California Press. Bruce works as a writer at Gustavus Adolphus College, and he teaches writing classes at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. His four children grew up reading books from Capstone Press, especially the graphic novel versions of classic literature. Bruce grew up in Duluth and now lives in southern Minnesota.

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Sports Illustrated Kids Big-Time Records: Big-Time Soccer Records by Bruce Berglund

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Introduction: The World’s Most Amazing Game

Chapter One: Big-Time World Cup Records

Chapter Two: Big-Time Champions League Records

Chapter Three: Big-Time European League Records

Chapter Four: Big-Time North American Records

Chapter Five: Soccer’s Greatest Scoring Records

Chapter Six: The Most Popular Game in the World

Big-Time Moments in Soccer

Glossary

Read More

Internet Sites

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

INTRODUCTION

THE WORLD’S MOST AMAZING GAME

On June 15, 2018, more than 40,000 people filled Saint Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia. Around the world, millions more people were watching on TV. Two great rivals, Spain and Portugal, faced off in the first round of the 2018 World Cup.

In the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals to give Portugal the lead. But Spain pulled ahead 3–2 in the opening minutes of the second half.

As the game entered its final minutes Portugal pressed into Spain’s end, trying to get the equalizer. Then Ronaldo was brought down outside the box. He set up for a free kick from 25 yards out. The ball curved around the wall of defenders and bent into the upper corner of the net. Portugal earned a draw in a spectacular opening match.

Cristiano Ronaldo shoots a soccer ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a total of four goals in the first two matches of the 2018 World Cup.

There was something even more special about Ronaldo’s goal. At age 33, he was the oldest player to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup match. While celebrating, he rubbed his chin—like he had an old man’s beard.

Soccer has often been called the beautiful game. When a player bends a free kick into the net or sends a 45-yard pass to the foot of her teammate, it is beautiful to watch.

Soccer is also called the world’s game. It is the most popular game in the world. More people around the globe play and watch soccer than any other sport.

Known in much of the world as football, soccer is an amazing sport. Some of the world’s greatest athletes play soccer, such as Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe. Over the years, some players have become soccer legends by setting incredible records. Some records may never be broken, but soccer fans keep watching their favorite players to see if they can make history.

The Legendary Pelé

The youngest player ever to score a hat trick in the World Cup tournament was the amazing Pelé. In 1958, Pelé was only 17 years old when he played for Brazil. In the semifinal game against France, he scored three