Abstract
Background: Scoring first seems to be a determinant in professional football playing; several factors could influence the development of the match and the outcome. This study aimed to identify which factors could influence scoring first and impact match outcomes in professional European female football. Methods: There were 504 official matches held on 74 match days during the 2018–2019 professional female European football seasons (Primera Iberdrola, D1 Féminine, and Frauen-Bundesliga), analysed using a notational and inferential assessment. Results: There was a direct positive relationship (p < 0.05) between scoring first and winning the match; 75.9% of the winning teams scored first. Moreover, those teams that usually scored first had a better final league classification (p < 0.05). These relationships were not influenced by home or away conditions. Conclusions: Scoring first is a determinant in the outcomes of professional European female football matches. Physical and tactical training and programming should focus on those variables, leading female teams to score first.
Highlights
Football is well-known as one of the most played and popular sports worldwide.This sport attracts millions of fans, and the economic and social interest in related events, tournaments, and matches continues to grow
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Several studies analyse the impact of scoring first in male football [3,4,5]; but little studies focused on female teams [3]
Summary
Football is well-known as one of the most played and popular sports worldwide.This sport attracts millions of fans, and the economic and social interest in related events, tournaments, and matches continues to grow. Football matches have an average of 2.7 goals per game [1] This reduced number of goals, which determines the final match result is the primary rationale of a study on the influence of scoring first in professional football [2]. Scoring first seems to be a determinant in professional football playing; several factors could influence the development of the match and the outcome. Results: There was a direct positive relationship (p < 0.05) between scoring first and winning the match; 75.9% of the winning teams scored first. Those teams that usually scored first had a better final league classification (p < 0.05). These relationships were not influenced by home or away conditions
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