This 2014 World Cup has certainly lived up to its billing as the biggest sporting show on the planet providing plenty of goals and excitement to fans all over the globe. A total of 167 goals have been scored in the tournament so far, starting with the 2-1 win of Brazil over Croatia on opening day up to the 7-1 demolition handed out by Germany to the hosts Brazil yesterday. And we’re not done yet with three more games still to be played including the semifinal game between Argentina and Netherlands later today (you can read the preview of that game here).
Out of these 167 goals, a handful of them have proved to be a cut above the rest. We rank the top 10 goals scored in this tournament so far as we count the days until the championship match of this historic and eventful World Cup takes place next week.
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Top 10 Goals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup
10) Wesley Sneider vs. Mexico
With time winding down, the Netherlands were in danger of missing out on another World Cup. They were trailing 1-0 to Mexico with two minutes remaining when Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder unleashed a stunning volley inside the box that helped resuscitate the Netherlands’ campaign.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Considering the enormity of the situation, Sneijder was calm and collected as he dispatched the volley with the power and accuracy that has been the trademark of his entire playing career.
9) Jermaine Jones vs. Portugal
With the United States down 1-0 against Portugal in the second half, Jermaine Jones struck a 30-yard thunderbolt into the far corner as his effort left Portuguese goalkeeper Beto flat-footed. The Americans went on to draw 2-2 with Portugal but were eventually sent packing by Belgium in the round of 16.
8) Xherdan Shaqiri vs. Honduras
In a must-win match against Honduras following the 5-2 humiliation they suffered against France, Xherdan Shaqiri calmed the Swiss’ nerves when he dribbled his way past several Honduran defenders and then unleashed a venomous shot just six minutes into the game that went into the top corner. The Swiss won the match 3-0 and qualified from the group stages but were bundled out in the next match after losing to Argentina 1-0 in heartbreaking fashion in the round of 16.
7) David Luiz vs. Colombia
It’s hard to remember it now after their shambolic defeat to Germany in the semifinals but there was a time when David Luiz was the toast of the whole of Brazil. His stunning free kick from 35 yards sunk Colombia 2-1 in the quarterfinals as Luiz claimed that his genetic advantage was the reason he can score this fabulous goals. If only those genes could have prevented the seven goals that Germany scored on them.
6) Lionel Messi vs. Iran
With Argentina struggling to breach a stubborn Iranian defense, in stepped their captain Lionel Messi to save the day. Already in second half stoppage time, Messi unleashed a curling effort from outside the penalty area that went past the outstretched arms of Iranian keeper Alireza Haghighi and gave the Argentinians a vital 1-0 win.
Argentina is still alive in the tournament and will face the Netherlands in the semifinals later today.
5) Arjen Robben vs. Spain
What propelled the Dutch offense in their 5-1 hammering of Spain was their brilliant counterattacking. It was exemplified the best in their fifth and final goal against the Spanish when Arjen Robben flew out of his own half to latch on to a through ball setting a record in the process of fastest sprint ever recorded by FIFA at 37 kph. He easily went past a much slower Sergio Ramos as he toyed with the Spanish rearguard before blasting past a helpless Iker Casillas.
The Netherlands will hope Robben is in top form as they face Argentina later today.
4) Lionel Messi vs. Nigeria
The Argentinian genius is not only a master in making those dazzling runs with the ball at his feet, he is also adept at hitting spectacular free kicks as this goal against Nigeria shows. The accuracy of his free kick was perfection as he completely froze the Nigerian defense and its goalkeeper. Truly he is a one-of-a-kind player.
3) Tim Cahill vs. the Netherlands
Tim Cahill may have bid farewell to international football with the elimination of Australia in the group stages but he made sure he had a lasting imprint in this year’s tournament with a stunning volley with his weaker foot that helped Australia cancel out Robben’s opener for Holland a minute earlier.
Comparisons were quickly made with Dutch legend Marco van Basten’s famous strike against Russia in the Euro 1988 finals and based on this evidence it’s hard not to agree.
2) James Rodriguez vs. Uruguay
Colombia may have been booted out by hosts Brazil in the quarterfinals but their star striker James Rodriguez has clearly impressed in this World Cup. The current Golden Boot leader with six goals to his name, it is his goal against Uruguay that is the pick above the rest. He perfectly controlled a ball on his chest before hitting a spectacular volley outside the box on the spin that sent the Colombian fans rocking.
1) Robin Van Persie vs. Spain
With one magical moment, Robin Van Persie helped shape the destiny of two nations in this 2014 World Cup. The defending champions Spain seemed to be on their way to a successful title defense with a first half penalty that Xabi Alonso converted for a 1-0 edge. With Spain in complete control of proceedings, it was a stunning goal by Robin Van Persie on the counter-attack that turned the match on its head.
The goal had several unique qualities to it. The first was the great cross delivered by Danny Blind that went behind the Spanish defense. Then the great positioning of Van Persie as well as the perfect timing of his run helped him in getting to the ball first. Next was Van Persie’s presence of mind in seeing Iker Casillas was off his line before he even made contact with the ball. Finally, Van Persie’s header was top notch (a swan-like diving header) as he left Casillas, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, particularly clueless.
It was a fantastic goal to say the least but the impact it had on the entire tournament makes the goal even more special. Netherlands went on to score four more goals after Van Persie’s opener and sent the Netherlands on their way to a famous 5-1 victory and on to this special run which will see them face Argentina in the semifinals next. Spain, the defending champs, on the other hand failed to recover from that stinging defeat losing again to Chile in their next game and was eliminated completely from the tournament.
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