Rematch delivers a fresh take on soccer, providing players with a new way to engage with the sport they love. Focusing on team play, it introduces distinct mechanics for dribbling, scoring, defending, and goalkeeping—each tied to specific buttons or key combinations depending on your input method.
Players can assume different roles on the field, just like in real football matches, with each position providing opportunities to fully utilize these mechanics. With that in mind, here are all the Rematch mechanics you need to know and master to dominate the field. Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you can combine them to elevate your overall gameplay performance.
Should You Play Rematch With a Keyboard or Controller?
Rematch requires a lot of fast, precise inputs, so many players are torn between using a controller or a keyboard for their matches.
Updated January 7, 2026, by Joe Grantham: With Rematch joining a long list of top-tier games on Xbox Game Pass, more players can enjoy the arcade football experience and attempt to climb the ranked ladder. While it might look easy, new players jumping onto the pitch will be surprised at how many mechanics the game has, giving players more control over the ball than is usually the case in similar titles. For returning players, there is also a new ball cannon in freeplay to practice with; it is particularly good for working on volleys and headers.
How To Sprint & Use Extra Effort With The Ball In Rematch
To sprint in Rematch, players can hold LB or L1 with a controller or Left Shift on PC. This will decrease the larger stamina bar at the bottom of the screen.
Goalkeepers who rush out of the box will have an unlimited stamina bar until they cross the halfway line or another player takes the gloves.
When the smaller bar to the right is full, they can double-tap the same button for a burst of speed, known as Extra Effort. This can help players reach the ball before an opponent, either for a shot, pass, or tackle.
Extra Effort can also help the player lock onto certain actions and gain priority over opponents. It is used in many advanced tricks.
How To Move Faster With The Ball In Rematch
Players are slower with the ball in Rematch, meaning it is imperative to constantly push the ball forward while dribbling, unless an opponent is in the way.
To do so, press A or Cross on a controller or Spacebar on PC when the ball is at your feet. This should be done while sprinting, and players should see a blue diamond around the ball when it's time to push. This will turn green if done correctly.
The Gates Track workshop is a great way to practice pushing the ball and dribbling both faster and more accurately in Rematch.
How To Pass In Rematch
To perform a ground pass on a controller, players will need to hold down or tap Square/X. Holding the pass button will put more power into it.
They will also need to aim the Left Stick to choose the direction of the pass. Unlike shots, passes can be played in any direction without having to readjust the camera. This means passes are more flexible and can even be used to score tap-in goals.
How To Lob Pass in Rematch
To perform a Lob Pass, hold the Right Bumper and press Square/X. This sends the ball in an elevated pass to a teammate, helping avoid opponents by passing over them. It’s especially useful when you’re surrounded by defenders and need to clear space or set up an open teammate to continue or finish an attacking play.
On keyboard and mouse, lobs are done with the RMB and F or X for normal lobs and light lobs, respectively.
How To Perform A Header in Rematch
Headers in Rematch are essentially passes when the ball comes in high. Before the ball arrives, press Square/X or RMB. Players can also use the lob pass buttons to make the header go higher.
One of the best uses of headers is in defense, to deal with long balls coming forward or crosses. As with all passes, headers can also be sent in any direction, without the character needing to look that way.
Players can also jump to block the ball by pressing Triangle/Y or Q. This is useful when directly in front of the player about to cross or play a long ball. It can also be used to deflect keeper kicks.
How To Shoot & Curve The Ball In Rematch
One of the most effective mechanics in Rematch is mastering how to curve the ball using the Magnus Effect during offensive shots to score more goals. After holding RT or R2 to shoot. Players can use the Left Stick to make the ball curve, indicated by a small dot. Aim left or right, and it will curve sideways, while a down input adds a downward curve for a quicker drop. Using an upward input can make the ball travel further, with this often being used for long balls up front, rather than shots.
For those using a mouse, simply move the mouse while holding LMB.
How To Perform A Volley in Rematch
To perform a volley in Rematch, players must intercept a poorly executed pass or clearance from the opponent or goalkeeper, or just a pass from a teammate, and press the shoot button (RT/R2/RMB) roughly 0.3 to 0.6 seconds before the ball hits the ground. This requires anticipating the ball’s trajectory and positioning your character correctly.
A triangle above the ball will appear to indicate when a volley is possible. While volleys are typically used to shoot at the goal, they can also be used to pass or control the ball before taking a shot.
How To Rainbow Flick in Rematch
Dribbling past opponents is crucial for creating space during an attack, and the Rainbow Flick is one of the simplest and most effective moves to avoid being blocked. To perform a Rainbow Flick in Rematch, hold Right Bumper and press Cross/A while moving forward. This move lifts the ball over your player, making it harder for opponents to intercept.
On PC, this is done with C.
How To Use Skills in Rematch
To perform skills in Rematch, players must enter the Skill Stance by holding LT/L2 or Left Ctrl. While in this stance, they can move with the ball using the Left Stick or WASD.
Advanced skills require the player to also press Cross/A or Spacebar. Performing this input twice triggers a Roulette Dribble, helping players maneuver past opponents.
Rematch: Best Formations
Utilizing the best formations in Rematch will help teams maintain structure and be covered at both ends of the pitch.
How To Turn Back Over The Head In Rematch
To perform an over-the-head Turn Back in Rematch, players must hold Right Bumper and press Cross/A while facing forward and moving backward. Although similar to the Rainbow Flick, this move focuses more on maintaining possession than launching an attack. It’s an effective way to fake out opponents and regain momentum.
On keyboard and mouse, this is done with the C key.
It can also be used in defensive situations to avoid incoming tackles.
How To Ronaldo Chop in Rematch
Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature move is available in Rematch through a simple button combination. To perform the Ronaldo Chop, press Cross/A while pushing the Left Stick to the side. This executes the chop, allowing you to replicate the Portuguese star’s iconic move and swiftly change direction when under pressure from a defender.
On keyboard and mouse, this is by pressing Space while using WASD to move to either side.
How To Stand Tackle in Rematch
To perform a Standing Tackle, press Circle/B or E when the opponents approach with the ball to execute a quick, powerful dash and dispossess them.
The defensive stance and small dash can also be good for interceptions or getting in a better position to tackle. This is done with Left Trigger or Left Ctrl, and the small dash is Cross/A or Spacebar. Check out this complete Rematch defense guide for more tips.
How To Slide Tackle in Rematch
To perform a Sliding Tackle in Rematch, hold Left Bumper or Left Shift to start sprinting. When the opponent approaches with the ball, press Circle/B or E to execute a sliding tackle animation and dispossess them.
Failing a slide tackle will cost lots of stamina and time, so be careful with them.
All Rematch Ranks & Ranked Mode Explained
This guide will explain everything players need to know about ranked in Rematch and go over all the ranks.
How To Dive As A Goalkeeper in Rematch
As a goalkeeper, your key movement is diving to stop your opponent’s shots. To do this, anticipate the ball’s trajectory and choose the direction to dive. Once decided, press Triangle/Y on the controller or Space on the keyboard to have the character dive and collect the ball. This helps prevent a goal, maintain your team’s lead, or quickly launch a counterattack by passing the saved ball to a teammate.
Keepers can also rush out and sweep the ball up with Circle/B or E.
When the ball is coming directly at the keeper, they simply need to use the defensive stance, which is Left Trigger or Left Ctrl.
How To Distribute The Ball As A Goalkeeper In Rematch
After making a save, goalkeepers will need to distribute the ball to their teammates, and they have a few options. They can use the shoot controls RT/R2/LMB to perform a lock kick downfield, possibly adding curve too.
Rematch: How to Control the Ball
Getting that first touch right to control the ball in Rematch isn't as easy as it looks, especially from long balls.
Alternatively, they can use the normal pass button to pass along the floor. Better than this, though, is the controls for Lob Pass, which will throw the ball. These are RB + X on Xbox, R1 + Square on PlayStation, and RMB + F/X on PC.
It's also possible to drop the ball and dribble for a bit by pressing A/Cross/Spacebar.
Rematch
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 51%
- Released
- June 19, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone / In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Sloclap
- Publisher(s)
- Sloclap, Kepler Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Sports
