The World Cup in Qatar continues apace as we head into the final round of group fixtures, but just in case you’ve been overwhelmed by the four fixtures we’ve had each and every day (RIP) and missed some of the action, this is the only thing you need to catch up: a countdown of all the best goals.
Here are the bangers, the screamers, the crรจme de la crรจme of all the World Cup goals scored from Friday through Monday. Enjoy.
Where else to start? Given what was at stake for both Argentina and Lionel Messi this is probably the goal of the tournament so far. It’s certainly the moment of the World Cup. Just look at those celebrations from the Argentinian players.
The goal itself isn’t bad, either.
Messi took the headlines but on any other night, 21-year-old Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez would have earned the lion’s share of plaudits for this beauty. The feet were dazzling, the finish even better. A decent first goal for his country, truth be told.
What a finish this is. It’s like something a fifteen-year-old would do to you on FIFA.
Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to devastating effect for Cameroon against Serbia, leading the comeback from 3-1 back to 3-3. This ridiculous scoop – likely a ‘why not?’ decision because Aboubakar thought he was offside – belongs in the Louvre. Stunning.
Whereas that goal was all Aboubakar, this one is about the team as Serbia surge forward in numbers and keep their composure to create an easy tap-in for Aleksandar Mitrovic. This is football how it’s meant to be played.
This left-footed rasper to open the scoring against Ecuador was a beauty from Cody Gakpo. The boy is a surefire star and has two goals in two games for the Netherlands so far. Coming soon to a Premier League near you.
There’s only one word to describe Niclas Fullkrug’s dramatic equaliser against Spain: BOSH.
The Werder Bremen striker came off the bench to earn a valuable point for the Germans and keep them in the tournament. Head down and laces through it, just like he was taught. Unai Simon had no chance.
Iran’s first goal wasn’t bad but due to suspect goalkeeping, I’m plumping for their second from the exhilarating stoppage time win over Wales. This chipped finish from Ramin Rezaeian is just *chef’s kiss*. He made it look easy.
Some technique for a defensive midfielder. Casemiro’s gorgeous volley against Switzerland makes it despite a slight knick off Manuel Akanji’s rear end, but really, who cares about that? This is how you win a tight match in the 82nd. An individual moment of brilliance.
Never the easiest on the eye, Mitchell Duke finds his way into this week’s best goals with a superb improvised header. How often do you see a deflected cross bounce up to meet the striker? Duke’s timing was perfect and this goal gave Australia a huge 1-0 win against a fancied Tunisian side.
And we’ll end on a high note, with Zakaria Aboukhlal’s hammer blow to Belgium. It’s great work by Hakim Ziyech in the build-up and smashed home in style to secure Morocco a momentous 2-0 win over Belgium.
Just look at those limbs behind the goal. Spine-tingling stuff, exactly how the World Cup is meant to be.
Credit: 90min.com