Ayari is one of those who has shown what can be done with this year's World Cup ball. In the opening match against Tunisia, he scored two goals, both from long shots, as Sweden won 5–1.
It's quite light. So when you shoot, it moves quite quickly. You don't have to hold back that much when you shoot, because it lifts off quite quickly, says Yasin Ayari.
Perhaps the “Trionda”, as the ball is called, is part of the explanation for the high number of goals scored in this year’s tournament. In the group stage alone, a total of 215 goals were scored, an average of almost three goals per match. This is already a new record for the total number of goals in a World Cup tournament, but it is also the first time that 48 teams have participated.
“Can cause it”
Swedish attacking star Viktor Gyökeres also feels that there is something special about the ball.
If you get a good hit, I think it goes quickly to the target and that can cause it, says Gyökeres.
But there are other possible explanations for the goal-rich championship, where Sweden is currently preparing for tonight's round of 16 final against France in New Jersey.
Malmö FF winger Taha Ali watches as many World Cup matches as he can and has concluded that the weather also plays a role.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the heat. A lot of teams are pretty low in the first 60 minutes, but it opens up in the second half and I think the heat has an effect. You might not be able to move all the way in the 80th minute or the 90th minute. And you might not make the best decisions," says Taha Ali.
Kick-off late tonight
Sweden has also contributed to the goal celebration. First with the 5–1 victory against Tunisia, then with the 1–5 loss against the Netherlands.
Back Gustaf Lagerbielke has another theory about why the nets rattle so frequently.
"I think it's mainly because there are so many good offensive players. There's just an extremely high quality of football in all the teams. All the teams have good players in good leagues, and it can happen at any time," says Lagerbielke.
France–Sweden kicks off at MetLife Stadium at 11 p.m. tonight, Swedish time.
