So far, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been one of the greatest World Cup’s of all-time. Filled with absolute stunning goals, unthinkable upsets, and miraculous extra-time winners, it has truly been a pleasure to watch. With the group stage complete, it’s time to honor the best goals that we have seen so far. Here are my top eleven goals from the group stage of the World Cup, in no particular order:
1. Nacho vs. Portugal
This goal was pure magic from the fullback. A failed clearance by Portugal gave Nacho--who was cleverly lurking on the top of the box--the perfect, uncontested chance to have a go at the half volley. It was a perfectly-timed strike by the young defender, who hit an absolute laser of a strike to the bottom left corner of the goal. The shot ricocheted off the left post, then hit the right, only to rebound perfectly into the back of the net. What a way to score your first international goal, Nacho!
2. Ronaldo vs. Spain
Late in a tight opening match against Spain, Portugal were in need a hero. And there was only one man capable of delivering in such a tense moment: Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player on the planet. Before taking the free kick, Ronaldo lined up in his trademark stance--legs spread apart, shorts rolled up, hands to his side--perfectly setting the stage for a dramatic goal. Once he began his run-up, it was all but over. The Portuguese and Real Madrid star proceeded to hit an absolute missile of a strike into the top right hand corner of the goal, perfectly evading Spain’s wall. The ball had power, speed, dip, and curl--all of which were simply too much for Spanish goalie De Gea to handle, who didn’t even bother diving for it.
3. Kolarov vs. Costa Rica
Aleksander Kolarov--the captain of Serbia--is known for his set-piece prowess, and he proved why with this strike. It was a beautiful left-footed free-kick, which perfectly curled over the wall and dipped into the top right corner, giving Costa Rican goalie Keylor Navas no chance.
4. Coutinho vs. Switzerland
Coutinho opened up Brazil’s scoring at the 2018 World Cup with a top-class strike from just outside the box. The strike was a perfect mixture of finesse and power, and it was placed perfectly in the far right corner of the goal, giving Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer no chance. Slowly but surely, Coutinho is proving himself as one of Brazil’s top players.
5. Xhaka vs. Switzerland
Following Shaqiri’s blocked shot, the redirection sent the ball rolling temptingly to the outside of the box, only to be met by incoming Serbian midfielder Granit Xhaka, who beautifully struck the ball with his left boot, sending it curling into the corner of the net fueled with immense power. The only thing disappointing about this wonder goal was Xhaka’s celebration… what on Earth was he doing?
6. Son vs. Mexico
It was a goal that meant very little to South Korea, but nonetheless served as a moment of brilliance that South Korean fans will cherish for years to come. Son--the only real threat to a strong Mexican side--picked the ball up easily at the top of the box and wasted no time getting a shot on goal. After a deft scissor move around one Mexico defender, he created enough separation to unleash a shot--and what a shot it was. Son sent the ball curling into the far left corner of the goal in picturesque fashion. A goal well-deserved by Son, who has continued to make a name for himself over the past few years for both South Korea and his club, Tottenham Hotspur.
7. Kroos vs. Sweden
Moments such as Kroos’ goal are the moments that soccer fans live for. A win was necessary for a struggling German side, who had lost their first game to Mexico. Yet again, Germany found themselves in a adverse predicament--tied one to one with an untalented Sweden side late in extra time. In the last minute of extra time, Germany were rightfully given a free kick just outside the right side of the box; Toni Kroos immediately lined up over the ball, and teammate Marco Reus was situated directly in front of him. Before long, Kroos rolled the ball to Reus, who deftly stopped the ball in its tracks, giving Kroos the perfect deadball to hit. What followed was unexpected. Despite an unfavorable location for a shot, Kroos skillfully curled the ball into the top right corner of the goal, giving Germany the lead with only a few seconds left on the clock. Germany went on to win the game--exactly what they needed--which gave them a realistic shot of advancing out of the group; too bad that didn’t go too well!
8. Lingard vs. Panama
For the first time in years, England has finally managed to field a team that looks capable of going far in a World Cup, and they are living up to expectations. A big part of their success is due to their youngsters--who have shown incredible maturity on the pitch-- including emerging British star Jesse Lingard. Lingard added an absolute beauty of a goal in England’s thrashing win over Panama, playing a Messi-esque give-and-go and then having a rip at the top of the box, which curled into the roof of the net. The celebration that ensued was just as classy.
9. Quaresma vs. Islamic republic (IR) of Iran
The outside-of-the-boot strike is an art that few soccer players can rightfully claim to have mastered, but Quaresma is one exception. The explosive Portuguese winger is known for his affinity for the outside-of-the-boot strike--which he is incredibly talented at--and gave us a moment to remember with his goal against IR Iran, which gave Portugal the lead. After a well-played give-and-go on the right side of the field, Quaresma found himself with the ball at the top right corner of the box--the perfect place to unleash an outside-of-the-boot strike; and what a strike it was.
10. Messi vs. Nigeria
While Messi had a relatively poor showing at this World Cup, he did give soccer fans a moment to remember with his goal in Argentina’s fixture against Nigeria. Messi began his run after skillfully collecting a ball played over the top to him from Banega, perfectly bringing the ball into control with his thigh, while at the same time managing to keep ahead of the pressing Nigerian defense. It only took Messi one more touch before getting his shot off, and before long the ball soared into the top left corner of the goal. Golaso.
11. Januzaj vs. England
What a wonderful goal from Adnan Januzaj, who scored Belgium’s first and only goal in their victory against England. After failing to live up to expectations at Manchester United, Januzaj found himself hopping from club to club in Europe, his name becoming more and more faint with each transfer. However, this strike put him back on the radar for soccer fans across the globe. After receiving the ball just inside of the box, Januzaj put on a tight--and very skillful--move to find room for a shot on his favored left foot; he proceeded to unleash a curling effort that found itself in the top left corner of the net.
Honorable Mentions:
Dzyuba vs. Egypt
Great goal by Dzyuba, who skillfully brought the ball down with his chest, evaded an Egypt defender, and then carefully slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net all within a few seconds.
Modric vs. Argentina
Top-class goal by Modric, which came in Croatia’s jaw-dropping win over Argentina.
Toivonen vs. Germany
Great effort by Toivonen here, who brought the ball down skillfully with his chest and then chipped German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, stunning the soccer world.
Cheryshev vs. Saudi Arabia (goal #2)
What a goal to score in the opening game of the Fifa World Cup, not to mention by a player who didn’t even start the game! Cheryshev exhibited great technique with this strike, using the outside of his boot to carefully place a half volley in the top right corner of the net.
Musa vs. Iceland (goal #1)
Take a bow, Ahmed Musa. The pacy Nigerian forward beautifully took the ball out of the air following a cross by Victor Moses and powered the ball into the roof of the net before it had time to touch the ground.
Stay tuned for the best goals of the knockout stages! Allez les bleus.
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