Goals are the currency of football. And the World Cup, thankfully, served up lots of it. But then, there are ordinary goals and then goals which make you go ‘wow’ with agog – like the James Rodriguez effort against Uruguay. Here’s a list of some of the best:
James Rodriguez (against Uruguay): If ever a goal was made to watch on an endless loop on YouTube, this will be it.
After a bit of head tennis in the Uruguay third of the pitch, the ball looped towards James Rodriguez, who in one fluid motion chested the ball down, swivelled and fired an unstoppable left-foot volley that screamed off the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net.
The Monaco man also stole a glance to check out the positioning of the Uruguay keeper. Genius in motion.
Rodrsiguez could well lay claim to scoring one of the cheekiest goals as well when he came on as a second-half substitute against Japan. After classy build-up play by the Colombians, the Monaco attacker picked up the ball near the D, drove at the keeper before his lovely, little dink left the custodian with no choice but to admire the sheer outrageousness of the Colombian’s act.
Robin van Persie (against Spain): The goal that sent shockwaves across the world before the result that sent seismic waves across Spain.
Spain were leading 1-0 and were chuntering along well before Van Persie launched himself like a grenade from a its launcher to send a looping header over Iker Casillas that brought the Dutch level.
The goal was even more remarkable because the header was from well beyond the penalty spot.
Lionel Messi (vs Nigeria): There is something charming about a freekick that is stroked over the wall. Some go wide off the post but this gave keeper Vincent Enyeama no chance.
Messi usually takes his freekicks around the wall or over and seldom goes for power and he again showed why. Enyeama assumed he had the left hand side covered but the Argentinian nonchalantly goes over the wall and sees the ball bulging the onion bag.
n Tim Cahill (vs the Netherlands): Having the idea to execute a rasping left-foot volley from a right wing cross is one thing but having the technique and the finesse to actually carry it out is a completely different thing.
The Australian’s first-time effort from eight yards out gave the keeper no chance as it crashed in off the crossbar.
David Luiz (vs Colombia): There are several ways to skin a freekick and the Brazilian here went for the sidefoot piledriver, and he succeeded with aplomb.
A long way out from goal and with Los Cafeteros trailing 0-1, Luiz’s goal effectively sealed the deal for the hosts.
Mario Goetze (vs Argentina): A goal worthy to win any final. After Argentina had wasted a couple of gilt edged chances in regulation time, Germany super-sub Andre Schuerrle raced down the left hand side before putting in a cross for the onrushing Mario Goetze, who had surprisingly been a bit part player for the Germans.
After trapping the ball, Goetze unleased a superb left foot effort that left keeper Sergio Romero with no chance. The Cup was sealed then and there.
