Pre-Match Poser time, folks!
Five Germans all became joint-first to do it, before one more did it 40 years later. Only one Italian did it, and technically, Thierry Henry was the last man to complete the set. What is it?
We'll reveal the answer this time next week in the next edition of The Pre-Match Poser – stay tuned for that – but for now, here's the answer to last week's conundrum…
Q. Charlton, Carlisle and Sunderland all managed it at one point or another – but Oxford, Chester and even Valencia have not. What is it?
A. Scoring against a club of the same name. Bobby Charlton’s first Manchester United goal was against Charlton Athletic; Clarke Carlisle netted a diving header in 1997 against Carlisle United; and Alan Sunderland scored against Sunderland in 1981. Reece Oxford has never scored against Oxford, though; James Chester never scored against Chester; and Antonio Valencia never scored against Valencia.
More football quizzes we know you'll love
Your deconstruction of that Pre-Match Poser proves you possess a level of footballing intellect that belongs in a technical director’s office: but the game’s narrative is woven from more than just isolated facts: so let's get into a new set of challenges drawn up for your consideration, courtesy of Kwizly.
We’re delving into the minds of the masters and the maps of the managers. We want you to step into the boots of an Italian maestro and identify who Andrea Pirlo said this about, before testing your scouting instincts by guessing the manager from their career path.
If your passion is rooted in the romance of the old school and the rare virtue of loyalty, we have two formidable tests waiting in the tunnel. You can dive into the deep archives of The Big FA Cup Quiz to prove your knowledge of the world's oldest competition remains as sharp as ever, or take a look at the game's most faithful servants by asking: how many of these football icons were one-club players? From the mud-soaked third-round upsets to the legends who never entertained a transfer request, let’s see if your footballing IQ is truly elite.
To wind down after that marathon of loyalty and legacy, find a quiet corner of the training ground for FourFourTwo’s Weekend Crossword 49, featuring clues on cities, stadios and Invincibles. It’s the perfect intellectual cool-down before the weekend’s tactical battles commence. To stay at the top of the league, subscribe to our newsletter for your essential afternoon briefing of curated trivia. You can also secure your status as a terrace icon by joining The Club: our free membership portal where you can unlock secret hints, earn digital badges for your trophy cabinet, and battle for the number one spot on our global leaderboards.
