Time wasting in football is a skill that many try to pull off, some succeed in, but very few excel at.
South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns weren't afraid to reach into the book of dark arts in 2020, but they turned it up to a new level that football's most polarising managers would be proud of.
For all of the flak the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Diego Simeone receive for their reliance on winning by any means necessary, there's nothing better than being a fan of that side and seeing such gamesmanship pulled off to perfection.
Typically, holding the ball in the corner to run down the clock is one of the very last tricks in the book. You've got to nail every aspect of it, from the number of players committed, to drawing the fouls, and to the timing of it.
We see it all the time in major European football, from Premier League sides trying to clinch precious points, to Champions League classics where a side is on the verge of advancing.
It's the last attempt to eke out a result. As soon as the injury time goes up and there's a narrow win that needs securing, get that ball as far away from your own goal as possible and keep it out of play where you can.
However, as we said, the Sundowns went too far with their efforts to run down the clock in 2020, and it created what is quite possibly the greatest and most sensational sequence of time wasting we will ever see in football.
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, tells the referee to check his watch during the FA Barclays Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United at Ewood Park on August 28, 2004 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
The clip of the most absurd example of running down the clock in football has resurfaced on Reddit and absolutely blown up, due to the efforts of the Sundowns, who were playing against Bloem Celtic and leading 2-1 with little over seven minutes of normal time still to play.
For some context, the following occurred in February 2020 with the Sundowns embroiled in a battle for the South African top flight title with Kaiser Chiefs, and needing a win to keep the gap between them and top of the table Kaiser Chiefs down to just four points.
Having won a corner with just shy of 10 minutes to play, the Sundowns were ready to sit out their result. The footage is unbelievable. Be sure to watch it below.
WATCH: Mamelodi Sundowns produced the most shameless feat of time wasting ever
Absolutely ridiculous. The Sundowns managed to suck a solid two minutes out of the game with their devilish antics, which saw number 10 Gaston Sirino place the ball down to take the corner, before walking away and letting number 11 Sibusiso Vilakazi take the set piece instead, resulting in a booking.
At this point, only four yellow shirts are up to attack the ball. And after Vilakazi adjusts the ball and his run up several times, he is also booked for pretending to take the corner, wasting time, and then walking away.
Man Utd sign Christian Eriksen (Football Terrace)
So when Hlompho Kekana stepped up to take the corner finally - at the third attempt - and then repeated the antics of his previous two teammates, you can see why Bloem Celtic's players and staff were boiling over at this point.
Amazingly, after Kekana is booked, the Sundowns then twist the knife further by signalling to make a substitution, while Bloem manager Lehlohonolo Seema laughs in outrage at what has just been allowed to happen. In and among all that carnage, Sirino returns to take the corner after being the one to start off the commotion. What a wild few minutes.
Let's take a look at some of the fan reaction, as the video prompted some incredible responses.
Incredible. While it must have been infuriating for opposition fans, you can't help but laugh at the lengths the hosts went to in order to secure the points.
It's even better knowing that it worked, and Sundown held on for the win.
Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say 'fair play' in unforgettable moments of madness like this one.