..to The Tap-Inn. Where you can tap in to the world of soccer with me, your first-gen Irish Tap-Inn head bartender, Joe.

No time for chit-chatting this week, lets get into it 👇

If you grew up on a diet of American sports, the idea of a game ending in a tie would be akin to drinking a pint of Guinness that hasn’t fully settled yet: it’s just not right. But in soccer, ties — or “draws,” as the rest of the world calls them — are a completely normal part of the game.

Here’s the deal: soccer’s built for tight scorelines. With a big field, few subs and 90 minutes of non-stop running, the goals don’t come easy. That means ties are to be expected. Each team grabs a single point each which over the course of a season can make all the difference to the final league table.

In knockout (elimination) games however, there’s no settling for even. If it’s tied after 90 minutes, you get extra time: two 15-minute halves to find a winner.

Still level after 120 minutes of play? It’s a penalty shootout, baby. Each team picks five players to take turns shooting from the penalty spot, one-on-one against the goalkeeper. The team that scores more out of those five, wins.

If it’s STILL tied after five each, it goes to sudden death — each team takes one shot at a time until one scores and the other misses.

Here’s an example of a famous game that ended in a draw that did need a winner:

Q: True or False. Instead of extra-time and penalty shoot-outs, soccer games used to end with a ‘Golden Goal’ - where after normal time, the team who scored first, won.

No, I’m not talking about the Trade Agreements Act. I’m talkin’ Trent Alexander Arnold, the former homegrown Liverpool right-back, who was once the darling of Liverpool FC. Last summer he ran down his contract to sign for Real Madrid, this did not go down well with the Anfield faithful.

Tomorrow, TAA’s Real Madrid play Liverpool in the Champions League, his first time facing his former club. I’m expecting he gets a reception similar to that of when I announce we’re closing up on a Saturday night. Frosty.

Former Arsenal Striker and TV personality 'Wrighty' or Ian Wright was born on November 3rd 1963. One of footballs good guys, and most fashionable. 

Tottenham Hotspurs XG vs Chelsea last weekend was 0.05. Their lowest XG on record. I didn't even think it was possible. I've poured stronger shots than Spurs took on Saturday. 

Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest. This game had it all - dubious goals, turnarounds and a late equalising goal of the season contender. You can see the highlights below. 

A: True. ‘Golden Goal’ was used between 1993 and 2004, including in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup’s.

Thanks for stopping by The Tap-Inn.

If you enjoyed this, forward it to that friend who knows nothing about soccer and help spread the good word.

I’ll be behind the bar every week, Monday and Friday, serving up soccer. Sláinte.

— Joe