Can soccer midfielders go for goals?

Answer 1

Everyone can score a goal. It's even possible to shoot at the referee and have the ball ricochet into the goal.

It's a common occurrence for teams in dire straits (about to be eliminated or relegated) to send forward their goalkeeper (typically a tall player) to try and win a header in last minute corner or freekicks.

Some central defenders are so good in the air that they always go forward for these occasions and out-score some strikers, which is the case of Nicolas Otamendi.

Wing defenders haven't been nailed to their defensive duties since the 1980s, when they started participating in supporting their teams' attacking runs, providing safe backward pass options for the wing midfielders, and once the wing defender has the ball, he can cross or make a long shot. Good examples are Roberto Carlos, Fábio Coentrão and Carlos Secretário.

A lot of central midfielders are very good with long shots, either with power or with good placement.