Photographs: Jeff Gross/Getty Images Rediff Sports Desk
Goals are flying in by the bucketload at World Cup 2014. Fans, having waited four years to watch and drool over their favourite football players, have already been rewarded.
The ongoing World Cup in Brazil has seen more goals scored in the group stages than at any other with 32 teams competing.
The sporting extravaganza has already seen 172 goals, an average of 2.69 goals per match.
1
Robin Van Persie (Netherland) vs Spain
Down 0-1 against World champions Spain, Robin van Persie stole in between Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba to meet a searching Daley Blind cross with a powerful diving header that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas rooted.
The Dutch forward's flying header in the 5-1 rout of the Spanish set a standard that few could match.
Van Persie earned the nickname of ‘Flying Dutchman’ for his effort.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
-Complete coverage of the football World Cup
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Tim Cahill of Australia celebrates after scoring his team's first goal against the NetherlandsPhotographs: Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Tim Cahill (Australia) vs Netherlands
Tim Cahill's left-footer, on the volley, left fans singing his praise.
At the 21-minute mark of their June 15 match, the roving striker crashed a fantastic 20-metre volley into the roof of the net for what will be a strong contender for goal of the tournament.
The Aussie's volley was so powerful that it beat the Dutch goalkeeper. Jasper Cillessen. for pace and crashed into the top netting.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Germany's Mario Goetze shoots to score a goal past Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero during extra time in their 2014 World Cup final at the Maracana stadium in Rio de JaneiroPhotographs: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Mario Goetze (Germany) vs Argentina
Germany forward Mario Goetze, who plundered the extra-time winner in the World Cup final against Argentina, is a wonder boy with immense qualities, coach Joachim Loew said on Sunday.
Substitute Goetze scored the all-important goal in the 113th minute, combining with another sub Andre Schurrle, who provided him the assist, leaving thousands of Argentine fans at the iconic Maracana Stadium heartbroken and the Germans, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, ecstatic.
The winning goal came when Schurrle made inroads down the left hand side and played a cross towards the near post for Gotze, who took it on his chest before placing it into the back of the net with his left foot.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: James Rodriguez of Colombia scores his team's second goal and his second of the gamePhotographs: Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images
James Rodriguez (Colombia) vs Uruguay
The opening goal of the last-16 game against Uruguay was one of the best from James Rodriguez.
Uruguay were content to cede possession to their opponents, sitting deep on the edge of their own box, but their defences were breached in the 28th minute by a goal of jaw-dropping splendour.
After Abel Aguilar saw a chipped pass cleared back to him, he headed the ball up to Rodriguez, who was standing just outside the penalty area.
The Colombia number 10 controlled the ball on his chest, turned, and unleashed a magnificent dipping volley that crashed in off the crossbar.
Rodriguez, who has now scored in each of his last six international games, celebrated with appropriate abandon, screaming 'Vamos!' at the hordes of jubilant yellow-shirted fans in the front-row seats.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Brazil's David Luiz (No 4) scores from his free-kick past Colombia goalkeeper David OspinaPhotographs: Marcelo Del Pozo/Reuters
David Luiz (Brazil) vs Colombia
A sensational David Luiz free-kick took Brazil into the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Colombia.
Brazilian nerves were settled in the 69th minute when Luiz sent a wonderful dipping free-kick high past Ospina from 30 metres.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Brazil's Neymar, right, celebrates with teammates Marcelo, left, and Hulk after scoringPhotographs: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
Neymar (Brazil) vs Croatia
A lot was expected from Brazil forward Neymar and, certainly, he delivered.
The country's 22-year-old poster boy got the home side on level terms when he intercepted the ball in mid-field, surged forward and fired home a grounder from 40 yards in the 29th minute.
Oscar started the move by beating two men in midfield before finding Neymar, who advanced a few metres and despatched a low left-foot shot that went in off the base of Pletikosa's left-hand post for his 32nd goal in his 50th international.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Andranik Teymourian of Iran (left) challenges Lionel MessiPhotographs: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Iran
Lionel Messi saved Argentina's blushes with a brilliant stoppage time winner against unheralded Iran to seal the South Americans' spot in the last 16.
With some of the most dogged defending that has been witnessed in this edition, the Iranians nearly pulled off a memorable draw before the Argentine skipper produced a precision left-footer from 20 metres out that curled past goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, who had been brilliant under the bar.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Andre Schuerrle of Germany scores his team's seventh goal past Julio Cesar of BrazilPhotographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images
Andre Schurrle (Germany) vs Brazil
Germany pumped five goals within 18 first half minutes to thrash shell-shocked hosts Brazil 7-1 in a truly astonishing one-sided World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
Andre Schurrle got a brace in the second half as the shambolic Brazil defense caved in for once.
Germany’s seventh against Brazil saw most of the traumatised native fans off their feet and applauding. Schurrle smashed his volley past Julio Cesar’s near-post to seal the most one-sided semi-final.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Image: Arjen Robben acknowledges the fans after the Netherlands beat SpainPhotographs: David Ramos/Getty Images
Arjen Robben (Netherlands) vs Spain
After the break the Dutch poured forward and went ahead after 53 minutes when Arjen Robben got on the end of another superb Daley Blind lobbed pass before turning Spain's Gerard Pique and holding off Sergio Ramos to fire home from seven metres.
Robben stunned a raucous crowd as he toyed with the Spanish defence and Iker Casillas before belting home in the 80th.
Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
Move on to the next slide and register your vote on the last page.
Vote for Best goal of 2014 World Cup
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images
So who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup?
Take the poll below and have your say.
Comment
article