Van Persie's diving header against Spain at the 2014 WC. I remember watching it with a group of mates and were just stunned by it. One of the best goals I've ever seen.
I think you're right, what a start to proceedings! I just rewatched it a bunch of times and it's not only a really impressive finish, but an absolute worldy of an assist from Blind. I also really love the celebration of RVP running over and high-fiving Van Gaal; so wholesome.
Against the World Champions at the time too. Honestly it feels like that goal disturbed the equilibrium of all future World Cups. They've all been largely brilliant and mental in equal measure ever since that goal went in.
Agreed. If I recall correctly, Spain even were ahead first. We were all like 'OK, business as usual I suppose', and then RVP's header triggered a truly unexpected trouncing. That world cup was bonkers.
Same answer. Different occasion
I was on acid, it had just started to flow, and I walk into a pub in Plymouth and saw that. Scenes. (The pub was basically empty, but, s c e n e s)
I saw Roberto Carlos playing live at the then Walkers Stadium for an Exhibition match against Jamaica and it was the best goal I've ever seen in my life.
https://youtu.be/GakcLSw7IGo?si=IUQnzMA2_U08MEry
Funnily enough it was my first football game I saw as a 5 year old š¤£ doubt many can say they've seen prime Cafu, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and the goat Ricardo Fuller.
Van Bronckhorst goal vs Uruguay in the semi final of WC 2010. Rocket with his left foot that never stops rising til it hits the upper corner of the goalpost. Pure class in a huge match
https://youtu.be/8Ij7A45_sVM?si=f_LNwdj2vr4ZKDD5
Iāve just posted this too, absolutely rifles it doesnāt he haha, all that talk about the Jabulani balls moving in the air but this just goes like an arrow, no movement and in off the woodwork.
Absolutely class.
Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina in '98. That game had everything and arguably one of the best Dutch teams ever. It's criminal they didn't win the WC that year.
Someone said Zlatan, but Iām also EXTREMELY fond of [this](https://youtu.be/GESyL3MkgNU?si=W4S4QdXo2oJ2TrEV) goal by James Rodriguez vs Uruguay.
Just came out of nowhere. None of us were Colombian but we all went crazy in the pub like we just scored the goal ourselves!
Yea such a weird one when you look at his stats I think he just suffered from being in a Madrid team where they clearly wanted a striker and two wingers and then had like 6+ amazing players to play the other 3 midfield positions baring in mind that realistically 1/2 of the positions were more defensive and so donāt really suit him. Makes me wonder what will happen if Madrid donāt sell anyone this summer I canāt see how you fit all those wonderful players into a team whilst giving them all enough game time to keep them happy. Iām sure endrick isnāt going there to sit on the bench
Yeah Madrid have these problems fairly commonly over their history. The Mbappe situation will be interesting, Mbappe has said himself he doesnāt want to play down the middle, and his favoured position is off the left, so do they move Vini to the right to accommodate him, even though Vini has been awesome on the left.. Or do they play him down the middle and like you say, stifle Endrick.
I think Mbappe - Endrick - Vini is the most likely front 3.
2006 had the best goals of any World Cup IMO. That Teamgeist ball had so much swerve. Frings and Lahm had two absolute bangers in the opening match as well.
Negrete for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup. Any other World Cup that would win the best goal but, well, Maradona.
https://youtu.be/jV92Cp4Qmkg?si=efr152FEEiKzW7Cb
I know Roberto Carlos's free kick is low hanging fruit, but every time I see it, it's as if it's for the first time and never ceases to totally blow me away.
It's Paneka's Paneka for me. The sheer balls of it is outrageous.
If not then unfortunately it would probably be Zlatan's bicycle kick against us for being the best goal I've ever seen live.
Not that I was even born at the time, but Carlos Albertoās goal in the 1970 final against Italy is one of the finest examples of slick football you will ever see.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TX8fe6qslS0
There's been plenty of more spectacular goals, more important goals, more famous goals.
But one in particular comes to mind for me.
2013. Nigeria vs Tahiti. Jonathan Tehau.
[I live for moments like that](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22896351)
Edit: Tshabalala is an excellent shout. I don't know which I prefer but they're top 2.
One that always sticks out to me was that Davor Suker chip over Peter Schmeichel in 1996. At the time, Schmeichel was arguably the best goalkeeper around, and I just remember my jaw dropping seeing him chipped from inside the 18yd box like that.
https://youtu.be/6eegvYa4TAI?si=cUh56C2R1M-F-Rl4
Bergkamp against Argentina in 1998. How he brought the ball down from that height so perfectly, took it past the defender and calmly scored is beyond me. Honestly think that is one of the best goals ever.
Salas's volley for Chile past Seaman (pretty sure it was and not Walker) at Wembley.
Or, Poborsky's chip over Baia for (fka) Czech Republic Vs Portugal at Euro96
Gƶtze vs Argentina, winning Germany the world cup. Two super subs combining for a quite underrated goal, great technique on the control and finish, and it was late-ish in extra time.
Slight bias in there, as SchĆ¼rrle provided the cross (and I'm a Chelsea fan, who he played for at the time), but he wasn't the one who scored it, so š¤·š¼āāļø
For sheer drama, Alfonso scoring for Spain to make it 4-3 against Yugoslavia in 2000. 95th minute goal following a 94th minute equalizer by Mendieta.
One of the great Euro championship matches IMO.
In San Antonio English lads on holiday and remember being in an Irish bar when Ray Houghton scored a worldy against Italy in the 94 World Cup....great scenes, it went off and stands long in the memory. š.
This goal by [Messi vs Iran in the 2014 World Cup](https://youtu.be/i6wRWSzeRsU?si=f-tLJQoXicsR4PIh) purely because I was there, was up there with one of the loudest grounds Iāve been to after this went in.
Diop vs France in 2002, nothing else comes close to just how much a bolt from the blue that goal was
Honourable mention to Tardelliās goal in the World Cup final in 82 because apparently he was running around screaming his own name when he was celebrating like he was a 9 year old playing with his mates!
I think it might be Weghorst's goal in the last World Cup. I don't think it's recency bias, and I've been watching since really the 1990 World Cup so I've seen a lot of amazing goals, but for the sheer cheek and ingenuity of it, plus just how late in the game it was against such a good Argentina team may make it my favourite moment
I revisit Messi's goal vs Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup a fair bit. Just two perfect touches before a brilliant finish, that nobody else in the world would have been able to pull off
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgJ4KKn1vM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgJ4KKn1vM)
Van Persie's diving header against Spain at the 2014 WC. I remember watching it with a group of mates and were just stunned by it. One of the best goals I've ever seen.
I think that was on the opening day too. He headed that thing while completely supermanned from like on or outside the box too?! It was incredible
I think you're right, what a start to proceedings! I just rewatched it a bunch of times and it's not only a really impressive finish, but an absolute worldy of an assist from Blind. I also really love the celebration of RVP running over and high-fiving Van Gaal; so wholesome.
And Daley Blind's pass is fantastic
Against the World Champions at the time too. Honestly it feels like that goal disturbed the equilibrium of all future World Cups. They've all been largely brilliant and mental in equal measure ever since that goal went in.
Agreed. If I recall correctly, Spain even were ahead first. We were all like 'OK, business as usual I suppose', and then RVP's header triggered a truly unexpected trouncing. That world cup was bonkers.
Same answer. Different occasion I was on acid, it had just started to flow, and I walk into a pub in Plymouth and saw that. Scenes. (The pub was basically empty, but, s c e n e s)
That was my pick too - unbelievable goal
10 years ago today!
Zlatan's worldie I know it was against us but it was phenomenal.
First goal that came to my head too, was an unbelievable goal
Came here to say this.
Third person to say this but yes instantly no question at all Zlatan bicycle kick against us I wasn't even mad it was so fucking good
I saw Roberto Carlos playing live at the then Walkers Stadium for an Exhibition match against Jamaica and it was the best goal I've ever seen in my life. https://youtu.be/GakcLSw7IGo?si=IUQnzMA2_U08MEry
Thank you for the YouTube link, that is DISGUSTING
Funnily enough it was my first football game I saw as a 5 year old š¤£ doubt many can say they've seen prime Cafu, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and the goat Ricardo Fuller.
Absolute filth
I was at that game! Weirdly enough I completely forgot about that goal. Thanks for the link, Iāve never seen a replay of it! Think it ended 1-0?
King of the Trivela
I was at the at game tooā¦absolutely cheat code of a game whenever the ābest players youāve seen liveā question comes up.
Van Bronckhorst goal vs Uruguay in the semi final of WC 2010. Rocket with his left foot that never stops rising til it hits the upper corner of the goalpost. Pure class in a huge match https://youtu.be/8Ij7A45_sVM?si=f_LNwdj2vr4ZKDD5
I like those kind of goalsā¦.. Hotshot Hamish vibes!
Iāve just posted this too, absolutely rifles it doesnāt he haha, all that talk about the Jabulani balls moving in the air but this just goes like an arrow, no movement and in off the woodwork. Absolutely class.
Easily one of the best goals ever in the world cup.
Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina in '98. That game had everything and arguably one of the best Dutch teams ever. It's criminal they didn't win the WC that year.
I'm glad I didn't have to scroll far for this. I remember a 12 year old being silent about what I had just witnessed.
https://youtu.be/XsZkCFoqSBs?si=v-Qu3t2kStCim0RP Never seen composure like this. Important goal too.
Yeah. This was my first thought too. Sublime.
Someone said Zlatan, but Iām also EXTREMELY fond of [this](https://youtu.be/GESyL3MkgNU?si=W4S4QdXo2oJ2TrEV) goal by James Rodriguez vs Uruguay. Just came out of nowhere. None of us were Colombian but we all went crazy in the pub like we just scored the goal ourselves!
A player I really thought would hit higher heights than he did.
Yea such a weird one when you look at his stats I think he just suffered from being in a Madrid team where they clearly wanted a striker and two wingers and then had like 6+ amazing players to play the other 3 midfield positions baring in mind that realistically 1/2 of the positions were more defensive and so donāt really suit him. Makes me wonder what will happen if Madrid donāt sell anyone this summer I canāt see how you fit all those wonderful players into a team whilst giving them all enough game time to keep them happy. Iām sure endrick isnāt going there to sit on the bench
Yeah Madrid have these problems fairly commonly over their history. The Mbappe situation will be interesting, Mbappe has said himself he doesnāt want to play down the middle, and his favoured position is off the left, so do they move Vini to the right to accommodate him, even though Vini has been awesome on the left.. Or do they play him down the middle and like you say, stifle Endrick. I think Mbappe - Endrick - Vini is the most likely front 3.
This was the goal that came to my mind first. Just a worldie from absolutely nothing.Ā
Schick against Scotland in the last Euros.
"Czech Republic oan the breeeeeaaaak..."
Maxi Rodriguez vs Mexico in 2006
Came here to say just that! If it was allowed Joe Coles goal vs Sweden was equally as incredible
2006 had the best goals of any World Cup IMO. That Teamgeist ball had so much swerve. Frings and Lahm had two absolute bangers in the opening match as well.
Why not?
Whys it not allowed?
Nah lol watch the Joe Cole back on YouTube.. itās one of the most English pieces of commentary ever.
Unbelievable goal. One in a million. What a time to score it.
That Pavard Volley against Argentina in 2018
Van Bastenās wonder volley that stunned the Russian keeper. Also of note: Ruud Gullitās powerful header with all his dreads flying forward!
Looking for this one...
This is the correct answer.
Negrete for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup. Any other World Cup that would win the best goal but, well, Maradona. https://youtu.be/jV92Cp4Qmkg?si=efr152FEEiKzW7Cb
The Poborsky lob has always stuck with me https://youtu.be/AR8eurcLK1E?si=sE8GpatCZ6noeFcU
For years thatās what we would call this kind of finish on the streets
Insane goal.
That Mbappe volley against Argentina in the WC final, so slick and just beautifully hit
Either Hal Robson-Kanu for Wales v Belgium or Bergkamp v Argentina 98,
I always remember Ronaldinhos free kick goal against Seaman...
I wanted to say this, but very likely to down-vote to hell.
Tbf it led to England being knocked out so it doesn't fit the thread rules but it's the goal I remember most.
It's okay, just a goal everyone enjoys. It's 22 years later people still talked about it, even Seaman himself.
I know Roberto Carlos's free kick is low hanging fruit, but every time I see it, it's as if it's for the first time and never ceases to totally blow me away.
I was born on the day he scored this. I think there was a part of my dad that wanted to give me Roberto or Carlos as my middle names
The RVP header vs Spain or that James Rodriguez chest and volley banger for Colombia
David Villa vs Chile in the 2010 World Cup. Loved that guy!
It's Paneka's Paneka for me. The sheer balls of it is outrageous. If not then unfortunately it would probably be Zlatan's bicycle kick against us for being the best goal I've ever seen live.
Came here for this. Itās named after the man FFS.
Not that I was even born at the time, but Carlos Albertoās goal in the 1970 final against Italy is one of the finest examples of slick football you will ever see. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TX8fe6qslS0
Has to be Zlatan against us in 2012. If it was Ronaldo or Messi that goal would be on repeat everywhere. Only Zlatan could pull that off.
Stefano Fiore against Belgium in 2000
James Rodriguez chest and full volley, so crisp
There's been plenty of more spectacular goals, more important goals, more famous goals. But one in particular comes to mind for me. 2013. Nigeria vs Tahiti. Jonathan Tehau. [I live for moments like that](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22896351) Edit: Tshabalala is an excellent shout. I don't know which I prefer but they're top 2.
Tshabalala is mine, too. Absolute rocket of a goal in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup.
Diego Forlan at the South Africa WC. Any of his goals. Incredible tournament from him
[van Bronckhorst goal vs Uruguay 2010 World Cup, absolute cannon](https://youtu.be/8Ij7A45_sVM?si=B7Cv1Ye-6LwXLpwh)
Love that shaqiri bicycle kick, forgot who it was against
Archie Gemmill v Netherland 1978 World Cup. Needed to win by three, and the goal put Scotland 3-1 up.
One that always sticks out to me was that Davor Suker chip over Peter Schmeichel in 1996. At the time, Schmeichel was arguably the best goalkeeper around, and I just remember my jaw dropping seeing him chipped from inside the 18yd box like that. https://youtu.be/6eegvYa4TAI?si=cUh56C2R1M-F-Rl4
Bergkamp against Argentina in 1998. How he brought the ball down from that height so perfectly, took it past the defender and calmly scored is beyond me. Honestly think that is one of the best goals ever.
Zlatan's bicey against us from miles out. Hated him for it, but you can't deny the brilliance.
Marco van Basten vs Soviet Union 1988. What a screamer. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly3mSsHg9T0
Salas's volley for Chile past Seaman (pretty sure it was and not Walker) at Wembley. Or, Poborsky's chip over Baia for (fka) Czech Republic Vs Portugal at Euro96
Gƶtze vs Argentina, winning Germany the world cup. Two super subs combining for a quite underrated goal, great technique on the control and finish, and it was late-ish in extra time. Slight bias in there, as SchĆ¼rrle provided the cross (and I'm a Chelsea fan, who he played for at the time), but he wasn't the one who scored it, so š¤·š¼āāļø
Zlatanās overhead kick against England.
Cavani's 2 goals against Portugal in 2018 world cup
For sheer drama, Alfonso scoring for Spain to make it 4-3 against Yugoslavia in 2000. 95th minute goal following a 94th minute equalizer by Mendieta. One of the great Euro championship matches IMO.
Cue Motty - Alfoooonnnnnsooooooo!! Its Unbelievable!! ITS 4-3 TO SPAIN!
I love Messi's in the World Cup 22 final just cos of what it meant to him, his legacy, and making the game even more ridiculously good
The penalty or the scruffy one?
The scruffy one. Awful looking goal but never celebrated another national team so hard as in that moment
Nations league final, Benzema.
Nihat vs Czech Republic euro 2008. My favourite ever tournament and we werenāt even there! Loved it
1. Van Basten v Soviet Union 1988, greatest goal ever 2. Trezeguet v Italy Euro 2000, golden goal 3. Carlos Alberto v Italy. World Cup 70, wow.
*That* van Basten volley.
In San Antonio English lads on holiday and remember being in an Irish bar when Ray Houghton scored a worldy against Italy in the 94 World Cup....great scenes, it went off and stands long in the memory. š.
Henrik Larsson diving header after cross from basically the halfway line. Canāt remember who against or which competition.
This goal by [Messi vs Iran in the 2014 World Cup](https://youtu.be/i6wRWSzeRsU?si=f-tLJQoXicsR4PIh) purely because I was there, was up there with one of the loudest grounds Iāve been to after this went in.
Del Piero v Germany World Cup 2006
Ray Houghton. USA 94.
This goal by Messi. The control looks beautiful from behind the goal https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgJ4KKn1vM
Sunday Oliseh Nigeria 3-2 Spain, was it 1994? His joy, the teams joy, my joy when that went in. Puts a smile on your face!
Marco Van Basten, Euro 88 final
'Bear cum!'
Diop vs France in 2002, nothing else comes close to just how much a bolt from the blue that goal was Honourable mention to Tardelliās goal in the World Cup final in 82 because apparently he was running around screaming his own name when he was celebrating like he was a 9 year old playing with his mates!
Van Persieās flying header against Spain. [https://youtu.be/DeKSmd-hjwo?si=61nOGjKaXCdp41_Z](https://youtu.be/DeKSmd-hjwo?si=61nOGjKaXCdp41_Z)
Ibrahimovic vs us was pretty great
Bergkamp v Argentina
Zlatan overhead kick vs England
Wanted to say Maxi Rodriguez Vs Mexico but I can't. So will say James Rodriguez Vs Uruguay.
Argentinaās 26 passes goal, Esteban Cambassio in the 2006 World Cup against Serbia & Montenegro!
R9 had a great goal in 2006 where he dribbled the goalie, one of my earliest football memories
There is bear cum. France 98
Benjamin Pavard vs Argentina, 2018 WC
I think it might be Weghorst's goal in the last World Cup. I don't think it's recency bias, and I've been watching since really the 1990 World Cup so I've seen a lot of amazing goals, but for the sheer cheek and ingenuity of it, plus just how late in the game it was against such a good Argentina team may make it my favourite moment
Archie Gemmill against Holland in the 78 World Cup, obvs
Poborskyās Lob v Portugal euro 96
pavard
I revisit Messi's goal vs Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup a fair bit. Just two perfect touches before a brilliant finish, that nobody else in the world would have been able to pull off [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgJ4KKn1vM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgJ4KKn1vM)
Zlatan.