The top 5 goals of the 2014 World Cup
The World Cup has come and gone, but great memories still remain. Those memories come in the form of goals and there were a lot…
In this June 28, 2014, file photo, Colombia’s James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Never before has the star-crossed nation made the quarterfinals. There is even waxing poetic about World Cup unity accelerating the pace of 18-month-old peace talks to end a half-century of conflict that has claimed some 220,000 lives. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
The World Cup has come and gone, but great memories still remain. Those memories come in the form of goals and there were a lot to be excited about.
From diving headers to ridiculous volleys, here are the top 5 goals of the World Cup.
#5. Jermaine Jones’ rocket against Portugal
Jermaine Jones made the US dream with his right-footed blast from far out. The shot drew the game even between the US and Portugal. The result helped the “Stars and Stripes” advance from the group of death.
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#4 Arjen Robben twists and turns against Spain
The Netherlands already sat comfortably with a 4-1 score over 2010 World Cup Champions Spain when Arjen Robben went on a 50-yard run and left a helpless Iker Casillas sprawled on the floor.
#3 Tim Cahill’s volley against the Netherlands
The Netherlands had just gone up 1-0 on the Australian. The Socceroos did not wait, and just a minute later Tim Cahill took a Ryan McGowan looping pass and hit it one-time with his weaker left foot from 11 yards out.
SEE ALSO: Brazil and the World Cup: the end of a campaign, and a dream
#2 Robin van Persie takes flight
Robin van Persie scored the first spectacular goal of the World Cup. The Dutch striker got on the end of a (ridiculous) long ball by Daley Blind. The Dutch number 9 met the ball mid-flight as he launched himself and looped the ball over a helpless Iker Casillas.
#1 James Rodriguez’s wonder-goal against Uruguay
Colombia was playing in their second-ever Round of 16 World Cup match. With emotions running high and a pressing Uruguayan defense, Colombia knew they would need something special to break through, and that was exactly what they got. James Rodriguez, in one motion, chested down an Abel Aguilar header, turned -while glancing over his shoulder- and struck a left-footed volley from outside of the box. An outstretched Fernando Muslera got a hand to it, but it was not enough to keep the wonder-strike out of his net.
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Honorable mention
While Mario Gotze’s World Cup winning goal wasn’t the most visually beautiful goal of the tournament, but the sheer importance of the goal needs a special mention.
