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Ever found yourself stuck on those “win by two goals” or “keep a clean sheet” matches? In Ultimate Gauntlet 3, the AI seems to go into overdrive – attacking relentlessly and defending like their lives depend on it. My advice? Do not rush forward straight from kick-off. Take a few minutes to settle into the game, keep possession in midfield and defence, and wait for gaps to open up. The AI will not press high forever, so you will get your chance. Use pace down the wings for simple crosses or cut-ins. Once you score, resist the urge to keep pushing – hold the ball and control the tempo. If the AI starts piling on the pressure, bring on a defensive midfielder or even waste time by keeping the ball at the back. It might not be pretty, but it works.

Squad restrictions? You can still make it work without spending big

Some challenges limit your squad – things like “no more than three gold players” or “must use League Two players”. Do not rush to the transfer market to buy overpriced cards. First, check your club for players who fit the rules – even low-rated silver or bronze cards can be surprisingly effective. In offline modes like Squad Battles, pace and agility often matter more than overall rating. A quick silver striker can outperform a slow legendary forward in these matches.

Loan players are lifesavers here. Many objectives and milestones reward you with high-quality loan cards – save them for these restricted matches. A loan Mbappé or Van Dijk can be a game-changer. Chemistry is also key: aim for high team chemistry even if it means sacrificing a bit of individual quality. A well-linked team often performs far better than a squad of random stars with poor chemistry – you will see the difference quickly.

Specific goal types? Pick the right players and methods

Objectives like “score a finesse shot from outside the box”, “score with a header”, or “get a goal with a defender” can be frustrating. They need patience and the right approach.

1. Finesse Shot: Use a player with the “Finesse Shot” or “Finisher” trait. The best spot is around the edge of the box at a 45-degree angle to goal. Hold R1/RB while shooting, and keep the power bar around two to three bars – too much power and it will fly over.

2. Header: The cross is everything here. Instead of the default cross (square/X), try L1 + cross for a lofted ball or R1 + cross for a driven one (sometimes the AI will still head it). Use a tall striker like Haaland or Weghorst and position them at the far post.

3. Defender Goal: The easiest method is during a corner – manually move your centre-back (like Van Dijk) to the penalty spot and aim the cross at him. Or, if you are already winning comfortably, push your full-back forward and cut inside for a shot – the AI defence will often relax.

General tips that always help

Beyond specific tactics, there are a few universal tricks. If you can choose the difficulty, go for the lowest – Gauntlet is about ticking off objectives, not proving how good you are. Make use of pauses – if the match feels like it is slipping away, pause to make substitutions, tweak tactics, or simply take a breather. And never underestimate your bench – bringing on three fresh “super subs” in the second half can completely change the game, especially when the AI players are tiring.

At the end of the day, Ultimate Gauntlet 3 is more about understanding the game and staying patient than spending loads of money. Break each objective down, use the right squad and tactics, and you will find it is not as bad as it first seems. Hopefully these tips help you grab that final reward sooner. And if building a specific squad feels like too much hassle, you can always look into picking up some fut 26 coins for sale to strengthen your club quickly.