The Run of Play - Attacking Football

The Run of Play is a blog about
the wonder and terror of soccer.

We left the window open during a match in October 2007 and a strange wind blew into the room.

Now we walk the forgotten byways of football with a lonely tread, searching for the beautiful, the bewildering, the haunting, and the absurd.

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Our Times Are Tendrils

A World Cup keepsake book.
The Puzzle

The failure of Africa and the fall of Europe: two burgeoning World Cup mysteries.
Out of Tune and Harsh

What do we mean when we say a referee’s decision is “harsh”?
Epoch of Days

The destruction of France clears the way for the future of football.
Foul Enough

Alan Jacobs on Koman Coulibaly, Alex Massie, and the Bigger Picture.
Not Watching the World Cup

What does it mean to watch a game that’s already happened? By Ryan O’Hanlon.
As Yet Within That House

On the first round of World Cup games, and the salvation of Spain-Switzerland.
Fans on TV

Watching people watching the World Cup.
Hundreds and Thousands

A World Cup golden treasury.