goalmouth

noun

Etymology: From goal + mouth.

1. The area in front of the goal.

   “There were still 20 minutes remaining but the pace refused to relent. Kalou should have scored his second of the night after he was released by Anelka but his side-foot effort from inside the area struck both posts before spinning away from the goalmouth.”

2. The space between the goalposts through which the ball, puck, etc has to pass in order to score