The current England side have scored eight of their 11 World Cup goals via set-pieces, but who else have based their success around such a record?

Getty1WEST GERMANY 1986 & 1990

Under Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany had a great record for scoring at will from open play in group stages, netting 12 of their 13 first-round goals in 1986 and 1990 from free movement. However, when it came to the latter stages they became far more methodical in attempting to dissect the opposition.

Over the course of the two tournaments they scored 10 goals in knockout football, with seven of them coming via set-pieces. Their successes in the 3-2 loss to Argentina in 1986 came from Andreas Brehme corners, and it was the full-back who netted the revenge winner four years later from the penalty spot having also scored via a deflected free-kick in the semi-final against England.

AdvertisementGetty2INGOLSTADT 2015-16

After winning a first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga by clinching the second-tier title in 2014-15, Ingolstadt manager Ralph Hasenhuttl knew his side were going to have to be hard to beat and liable to take whatever chances came their way if they were to survive in the top-flight the following season. Hasenhuttl proceeded to oversee a season-long defensive masterclass, with their 42 goals against being bettered by only three teams.

But what was even more phenomenal was the fact that of their 33 goals scored – which happened to be the second-worst return in the entire division – they netted a league-best 18 from set-pieces. Hasenhuttl was promptly snapped up by RB Leipzig and Ingolstadt were relegated the in 2016-17.

Getty3TONY PULIS PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE

Having originally made his name as a more than competent lower-league manager, Tony Pulis brought his organisation-first tactics to the Premier League when achieving promotion with Stoke City in 2008.

Since then, sides managed by Pulis have scored a total of 119 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League in what amounts to around eight-and-a-half seasons of football. His five years in the top flight with Stoke garnered 68 goals from dead balls, including 18 in 2011-12. He would later match that figure with West Brom in 2016-17, his final full season at The Hawthorns.

Getty4GEORGE GRAHAM'S ARSENAL

George Graham’s spell as Arsenal manager was notorious for his side’s uncompromising style, with many being switched off by the one-dimensional and dull approach. One thing that existed throughout his tenure, though, was an ability to make the most of set-piece chances.

Even when clinching the League title in dramatic fashion against Liverpool in 1989, Alan Smith’s often-forgotten opening goal came thanks to a well-worked free-kick. Their three finals in 1993 when completing the first-ever cup double also included set-piece goals in every game, including Andy Linighan’s 122nd-minute winner in the FA Cup final replay against Sheffield Wednesday.