Are World Cup hydration breaks ruining momentum in games? We looked at the data

Hydration breaks have become the pantomime villain of this World Cup . England fans actually loudly booed the intervals against Croatia , while players and managers have called out the three-minute pauses 22 minutes into each half. The mandatory rule, which has prompted a growing backlash , has been accused of being a contrived way of turning football into four quarters to benefit US broadcasters who can make more money off additional commercials.