In this post, I will throw more light on the concept of a brace in soccer. A brace is an individual record of performance in a game in the world of football. But before I delve into the main topic, soccer which is also known as football is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires a great level of skill and athleticism.
A brace is one of the most impressive displays of skill and prowess on the pitch and can be a great way to help your team win. It requires a player to be composed and confident in their ability to record a brace in a single match, which can be a difficult task if you are not a goal poacher.
However, In this post, I will explore what a brace is which will include:
- Why do they call it a brace in soccer
- Fastest brace in football history
- The player with the most braces in football history
And lots more. Let’s brace up.
What Is A Brace In Soccer?
In soccer, when a player records 2 goals in a single match is called a brace. According to official record-keeping rules, if the 2 goals are scored at the regulation of 90 minutes then it will be considered a brace, and if the 2 goals are completed in extra time or a penalty shoot-out, then it’s not a brace.
However, on the regulation of 90 minutes, if a player scores 1 goal in halftime, and scores another in the second half time, then it’s a brace.
A player could complete his/her brace in the first half or second half aside from an extra time or a penalty shoot-out.
Why Do They Call It A Brace In Soccer?
The word, Brace is an old English word that means a pair of something killed or damaged e.g Animal. Also, the brace has its origin in the French language which means a couple of arms. For instance, in hunting, I could chase, and kill a brace of goats in a twinkle of an eye.
That means I could chase, and kill 2 goats in a twinkle of an eye. And this implies to the world of soccer, when a player score 2 goals in regulation time, then he or she has recorded a brace.
Fastest Brace In Football History
The fastest brace in football history is scored by Toni Kroos in a World Cup game against Brazil where they won 7:1. It took just 69 seconds for Toni Kroos to complete a brace against one of the best national teams in the world, Brazil. It was an outstanding performance and a lifetime accomplishment for Germain means to.
The Players With the Most Braces In Football History
In this chapter, I will share with you the players with the most brace in football history. Brace has become a common record for great players most especially in modern football. And if you check out the level of these players, they are probably the most valuable player in their team.
However, here are the players with the most brace in football history.
- Lionel Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Robert Lewandowski
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Kareem Benzema
1. Lionel Messi
Messi is regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. Having won 7 Ballon d’Or awards, and 6 European Golden shoe awards, and a FIFA World Cup. He has proven himself in every bit of the game, winning 35 trophies with Barcelona where spent most of his career.
However, Lionel Messi is a creative playmaker with exceptional goal-poacher talents. His technical abilities have made him a nightmare for opponents recording 205 braces so far in his career. And his last brace was against Clermont Fc where he scored a superb bicycle kick to complete his brace.
With no debate, Leo is one of the greatest players of all time with over 750 career goals for club and country, and the most goals recorded by a player for a single club, 672.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo has a record 205 brace in the game. The year 2002 was his breakthrough during his spell at Sporting CP. And ever since then, he has established himself as one of the greatest players to have played the game for both club and country records.
He has proven himself in every club he has played for with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has created fame for himself with his wow talents.
And his rivalry with Leo Messi is one that clearly defines modern-day football. However, Ronaldo has won 5 Ballon d’Or honors, and 4 European Golden shoes Including 32 trophies recording over 800 career goals for the club and country.
In fact, he is the only male player to ever score in 5 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
3. Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski has proven to be a great striker recording 135 braces to his name. I mostly love him for his positioning and finishing ability, he is a true definition of a striker.
His statistics in the game have drawn a lot of praise from football fans and pundits, regarding him as one of the best strikers of all time recording over 500 goals for the club and country.
However, he has lots of individual honors to his name like European Golden Shoe 2020-21, and 2021-22, and Best Ballon d’Or striker in 2021-22 to mention a few.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arguably one of the greatest strikers and most decorated players to have ever played the game. So far, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 98 braces in his career winning 34 trophies and scoring 570 career goals for club and country.
Many football fans love Ibrahimovic for his qualities, especially his acrobatic strikes and volleys, he is probably the best at doing this, nobody does it better. He is tall and a powerful striker possessing one of the best finishing and ball control in the game.
5. Kareem Benzema
Kareem Benzema has scored 87 braces, making him one of the players with the most braces in the history of football. Many football fans were not aware of what Benzema could do not until he lost his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
Without a doubt, Benzema enjoyed his time with Ronaldo on the pitch but just couldn’t get the accolades he deserved. And now, he is enjoying his performances, scoring crucial goals, and helping the team to move forward.
Being the second all-time highest goal scorer and assist provider for his club, Real Madrid and winning 23 trophies, and scoring over 220 goals for the club is a massive feat. In addition, he is currently the best player in the world after emerging winner at the concluded Ballon d’Or event in 2022.
Final Thoughts
A brace In soccer is an exceptional feat recorded by a single player after scoring 2 goals in a single match. As tournaments and leagues are getting competitive, a brace is now a rare feat even for a skilled striker whose job is to hunt for goals.
However, scoring a goal and providing an assist Is not a brace. And for you to score 2 goals in a single match, you have to possess a high quality of skill and luck.
