2014 FIFA World Cup: Ranking the Top 10 Goals of the World Cup So Far
With the World Cup Finals just days away, soccer fans have some time to take everything in. We've witnessed some of the most memorable goals in recent history. From amazing bicycle kicks to diving headers. Some goals were game-winners, while others left their mark in World Cup history.
10. Robin van Persie Goes Airborne
It didn't have a huge impact on the game, because the Netherlands dominated 5-1 in this Group B contest. However, this was one of the most exciting and skillful shots of the World Cup. After receiving a remarkable pass up the left side from Daley Blind, Van Persie then headed the ball past Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. A great way to kick off this World Cup.
9. David Luiz Scores Insurance Goal Against Colombia
James Rodriguez did everything he could for Colombia, but it just wasn't enough. For a 62 minute period, Brazil led just 1-0 and Colombia came close multiple times to tying up the game. David Luiz scored making it 2-0, pretty much securing Brazil a trip to the quarterfinals. Rodriguez would score later in the game, on a penalty kick but it was too little, too late.
8. James Rodriguez Becomes a Superstar
Rodriguez is only 22 years old and this was just his first World Cup appearance, but he played at an elite level. The young Colombian emerged as the leading goal scorer of this tournament, thus far, and his presence was most felt in the round of 16 against Uruguay. Rodriguez had already scored once, and in the 50th minute he put the ball again in the back of the net. His second goal would prove to be too much for Uruguay and Colombia would win 2-0.
7. Miroslav Klose Passes Ronaldo
It was a really disappointing ending for Brazil. Not only did they lose 7-1, but their hero Ronaldo had his record broken by Klose. Klose scored the second goal of the game giving him 16 career World Cup goals, the most ever in the tournament's history. Klose's 16 goals have been accumulated over the course of four World Cups, but he still hasn't won the big one like Ronaldo did in 2002.
6. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Eliminates Mexico
The Netherlands and Mexico met in the Round of 16 and Mexico led for the majority of the game. Eventually, with regulation winding down, a penalty kick was rewarded to the Netherlands in the 94th minute (four minutes into injury time). Huntelaar would score, giving the Netherlands a 2-1 advantage and no time left for Mexico to recover.
5. Matt Hummels Lone Goal Sends French Home
France and Germany have a long rivalry on the soccer field so tensions will always be running high between the two squads, especially at the World Cup. The two teams met in the quarterfinals and only one goal would be scored in the entire game. Matt Hummels scored early in the game to give Germany a 1-0 lead and a trip to the semifinals.
4. Ángel di María Scores Game-Winner Against Switzerland
Argentina and Switzerland played each other in a slobber-knocker in the Round of 16. Neither team was willing to budge with both squads on the brink of elimination. At the end of regulation, both teams remained scoreless and we headed to overtime where, with just two minutes left in extra time, it looked like we were heading into a shootout. Ángel María scored in the 118th minute and that would be the only goal of this game, sending Argentina to the quarterfinals.
3. Neymar Kicks Brazil Past Chile
Chile really did put up a great fight this year, especially considering not many picked them to do very well and labeled a "dark horse." Unfortunately for Chile, they wouldn't make it past the Round of 16 as they were defeated by Brazil in a shootout. Chile gave Brazil all they could handle. Both teams scored on two of their first four shots. Neymar took the fifth shot and scored, while Chile missed their fifth attempt after Gonzalo Jara shot the ball into the post.
2. Rodriguez Sends Argentina to the Finals
What a game between two truly fantastic teams this really was. For just over 120 minutes, both teams remained scoreless, thus a shootout proceeded. The Netherlands' high-scoring offense against the possession-oriented Argentines gave fans their money's worth. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero made the best save of the World Cup when he denied Wesley Sneijder on the Netherlands' third attempt. Soon after, Maxi Rodriguez capitalized by scoring the fourth goal for Argentina, clinching them a fifth World Cup Finals berth.
1. Wesley Sneijder Ties the Game in the 88th Minute
What a devastating defeat this really was for Mexico. Finally, for the first time since 1986, Mexico was going to advance past the Round of 16. They were leading the Netherlands 1-0 with the hopes of moving forward to play another game, when the unthinkable happened. With just two minutes left in regulation, Wesley Sneijder found the back of the net to tie the game. Huntelaar would go on to score the eventual game-winner in extra time, but this was the most clutch game-saving goal of the tournament. Without this goal, the Netherlands wouldn't make it out of the Round of 16.