The phrase "against the run of play" is used in sports, particularly soccer and football, to describe a situation where one team scores a goal or achieves an advantage that was not expected based on the flow of the game. It means that the goal or advantage came at a time when things were going against them, such as being outplayed by their opponents or facing significant challenges in attacking or defending. The phrase is often used to describe a lucky break for one team or an unexpected turn of events that disrupts the balance of the game.