The purpose of this study was to provide an objective and quantitative analysis of crossing and shooting in elite soccer from the 1998 World Cup, and compare the results with the 1986 World Cup to examine how tactics and styles of play have changed in this period. The study was conducted using a system designed to analyse crossing and shooting, with the use of a database, within which the data was inputted. A reliability study using the test-retest method (conducted one week later), was carried out on the Semi Final between England and Spain of Euro 96. All 64 matches from the 1998 World Cup were notated post event over a period of 90 minutes plus injury time, although extra time and penalty shootouts were omitted from the analysis. The time the cross occurred, event leading, team, area crossed from, area crossed to, type of cross, infront or behind the defence, result of cross, if applicable: whether or not a pass was made, number of passes in sequence, shot type, height of shot, direction in relation to goalkeeper, speed and intent of shot, contact, direction GP, Outcome and Possession, were analysed, which enables the frequency of the actions to be recorded. A Chi-Square test was used as a statistical process to determine if differences occurred between the 1986 and 1998 World Cup Finals. The results gained from this study found that there were some differences between the 1986 and 1998 World Cups. Statistical analysis showed that differences occurred between the two World Cups, with the number of crosses that were played behind defenders, and with crosses that were blocked or no contact was made, (P<0.05). However the same principles still apply as the most effective type of cross to produce a strike on goal is still the cross that is played as early as possible to give the defence and goalkeeper little time to get into a position to clear the ball. The cross should be bent round, low, behind the defence with pace, into the prime target area with enough swerve to stay clear from the goalkeeper. The most effective type of shot was found to be that which is placed with the foot, low towards one of the posts, as this is hard for the goalkeeper to cover.
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