Caleb Yirenki's Late Goal Gives Ghana a 1-0 Victory over Panama in the World Cup

FIFA's introduction of mid-half hydration breaks at the World Cup has sparked significant criticism, with many arguing they are killing the game's momentum. The breaks, designed to help players manage the intense heat in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, have been labeled a "novelty" with unintended consequences.

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I actually felt sorry for them. They scored and then it was maybe 30 seconds after that it stopped. So it’s killed their momentum.

Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, expressed sympathy for teams like Curaçao, who conceded two goals after a hydration break disrupted their momentum in a match against Germany. "They scored and then it was maybe 30 seconds after that it stopped. So it’s killed their momentum," Shearer stated.

Critics suggest these breaks are not solely about player welfare. Some believe they provide coaches with an opportunity to deliver tactical instructions, effectively acting as extended timeouts. Former Ireland international Roy Keane, co-hosting The Overlap podcast, voiced similar concerns, stating, "We love football because of the pace of the game... what it’s doing is stopping the flow of the game, the momentum."

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We’re in America, right? So, it’s like it is it’s like it’s a timeout. We love football because of the pace of the game ... what it’s doing is stopping the flow of the game, the momentum.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman acknowledged the tactical advantage, saying, "You can use the break to tell the players what they need to improve or what is good or what they should do better... So you can use it in different ways to your advantage, and this is what we will be doing." Evidence from early games shows goals being scored within 10 minutes of the break's conclusion, with teams like Morocco and Curaçao losing their advantage after stoppages. Fans have also expressed displeasure, with boos heard during a break in the Iraq vs. Norway match.

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You can use the break to tell the players what they need to improve or what is good or what they should do better. So you can use it in different ways to your advantage, and this is what we will be doing.