Starting GOALS for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. Between packs, team management, challenges, formations, and online matches, it’s easy to wonder where you’re actually supposed to begin.
The good news is that the game already provides a fantastic roadmap through its Rookie Challenges. Instead of jumping straight into ranked matches, these beginner objectives gradually introduce every major mechanic while rewarding you with packs, points, and players along the way.
When I first started, I made the mistake of spending too much time browsing menus and comparing players before even learning the controls. The Rookie Challenges are designed specifically to prevent that. By following them in order, you’ll learn the fundamentals while steadily improving your squad.
Here’s the fastest way to complete the Rookie Challenges and get your club moving in the right direction.
GOALS Beginner Guide Wiki – Shot Challenge, Best Teams
The first thing you should do after launching GOALS is open the Challenges menu and find the Rookie Challenges section.
These beginner objectives serve as a guided tutorial and can often be completed simultaneously. More importantly, they reward packs and points that help improve your squad much faster than simply playing random matches.
Instead of rushing into online games, focus on these objectives first.
Enter the Practice Arena
Your first stop should be the Practice Arena.
Head to:
- Play
- Practice Arena
Before entering, take a quick look at your starting squad and identify the player with the highest Shooting stat.
Shooting is displayed as:
- SHO
The higher the number, the better your player’s finishing ability will be.
Choosing your best shooter makes the early challenges much easier.
Complete the Low Shot Challenge
One of your first Rookie Challenges requires scoring 20 low shots.
To perform a low shot:
- Charge your shot.
- Tap the shot button again before releasing.
Low shots are highly effective when close to goal and are generally easier to score than many beginners expect.
If you’re still getting comfortable with the controls, spend a few minutes practicing standard shots before attempting the challenge.
After scoring 20 low shots, you’ll complete one of your first Rookie objectives.
Complete the Curved Shot Challenge
The next challenge requires scoring 10 curved shots.
Curved shots, often called finesse shots, allow you to bend the ball around defenders and goalkeepers.
To perform them:
- Hold the finesse modifier button.
- Press the shooting button.
Don’t worry if these feel awkward at first.
Most players need several attempts before they start consistently placing finesse shots into the corners. The Practice Arena exists specifically for this kind of experimentation, so take your time.
Once you’ve scored 10 successful curved shots, another challenge will be completed.
Claim Your Rewards
After finishing the shooting objectives, return to the Challenges menu and claim your rewards.
You’ll receive:
- Points
- Packs
- Additional progression rewards
Always claim rewards immediately because they often help you complete other challenges faster.
Open Your First Packs
Next, visit the Store and open any packs you’ve earned.
At this stage, almost every player can improve your squad, so don’t worry too much about finding superstars.
One Rookie Challenge requires discarding a player.
To complete it:
- Open a pack.
- Identify the lowest-rated player.
- Move that player into the sell section.
- Confirm the pack.
This completes another easy objective while teaching you how pack management works.
Buy a Basic+ Pack
After claiming challenge rewards, you should have enough points to purchase a Basic+ Pack.
These packs provide one of the fastest ways to improve your squad early on.
Purchase:
- Basic+ Pack (2500 Points)
Then open it immediately and add the players to your collection.
At this stage, every upgrade matters.
Upgrade Your Team
Once you’ve opened a few packs, head into Edit Team.
Now is a good time to compare your newly acquired players with your current starting lineup.
Pay attention to:
- Overall rating
- Position suitability
- Key attributes
Many new players simply place the highest-rated cards into their team, but position fit is often just as important.
Even a slightly lower-rated player can perform better if they’re playing in their natural position.
Learn the Controls
Before jumping into matches, spend a few minutes looking through the How to Play section.
You don’t need to memorize everything immediately.
Focus on understanding:
- Passing
- Shooting
- Sprinting
- Defending
- Skill moves
You’ll naturally learn the finer details through gameplay.
Play Your First Match Against Bots
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start a match against AI opponents.
Go to:
- Play
- Play vs Bots
Beginner difficulty is the ideal starting point.
Your main goal here isn’t winning. It’s simply becoming comfortable with the controls while completing challenge objectives.
Try to score at least five goals during the match.
Use the low shots and curved shots you practiced earlier.
Continue Opening Packs
After your first bot match, you’ll likely have completed additional challenges.
Claim those rewards and use your points to purchase another Basic+ Pack.
Every pack gives you more opportunities to improve your squad rating and move closer to the final Rookie Challenge.
Play Your First Ranked Match
One Rookie Challenge requires entering Ranked mode.
Many new players get nervous about this step, but there’s no reason to stress.
The challenge only asks you to play.
Winning is not required.
Treat the match as a learning experience and focus on understanding how real players move, defend, and attack.
Even a loss provides valuable experience.
Reach Team Rating 60
The final Rookie Challenge requires your squad to reach a Team Rating of 60.
You’ll naturally achieve this by:
- Completing challenges
- Opening packs
- Upgrading your squad
- Replacing weaker players
Check your current team rating in the Edit Team menu whenever you’re unsure of your progress.
Once you hit 60 overall, you’ll complete the final Rookie Challenge and unlock its rewards.
Beginner Tips That Make a Big Difference
Prioritize Shooting Early
Goals win matches, and finishing is often the biggest difference-maker for new players.
Investing in strong attackers early will usually have a greater impact than upgrading defenders.
Don’t Ignore Practice Arena
Many players never return to the Practice Arena after the tutorial.
That’s a mistake.
It’s the best place to practice:
- Finesse shots
- Timing
- Skill moves
- Set pieces
A few minutes of practice can dramatically improve your performance online.
Keep Most Early Players
During the beginning stages, avoid discarding players unless a challenge specifically asks for it.
Even lower-rated cards can help fill positions or contribute to squad-building requirements later.
Don’t Fear Ranked
Every GOALS player starts somewhere.
Your first ranked matches are part of the learning process, and facing real opponents is often the fastest way to improve.
The Rookie Challenges are easily the best way to start your journey in GOALS. They teach the fundamentals, provide valuable rewards, and steadily introduce you to every major game mode without overwhelming you.
Focus on completing the Arena challenges first, open your packs, improve your squad whenever possible, and don’t be afraid to jump into Ranked once the objective appears.
By the time you reach a 60-rated team, you’ll have a much better understanding of the game’s mechanics and a solid foundation for building a competitive club.