The top five moments in soccer of 2014
2014 has been a great year for soccer all over the word with some of the best moments of the last decade happening within the last 365 days. Of course, the fact there was a World Cup last summer, in Brazil of all places, helped a lot to make 2014 a more than memorable year, so lets take a look back at the moments that defined the the year: Sergio Ramos’ 93 minute goal Spanish defender Sergio Ramos would find himself a spot in Real Madrid and Champions Leagues history thanks to a very last minute header in the final of the tournament to help the Merengues top Atletico Madrid. His goal gave way to overtime, in which Ancelottis men would prevail and beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 to win their 10th Champions League title 12 years after winning their 9th. SEE ALSO: 2014: A year to remember for Real Madrid Pope Francis helps San Lorenzo win the Copa Libertadores San Lorenzo was there, in 1960, when the first Copa Libertadores took place. Only thing was, between then and now, the fifth big team in Argentina had never actually won the top continental tournament in America. But 2014 would be the year. Without the big stars of the past, Edgardo Bauza put together a squad that released the cracking all over South America, and ended up beating Paraguays Nacional to clinch their first Libertadores in history. The victory gave them a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, and a chance to be crowned the best team in the world. Although the full dream was not achieved, the year will become the best in the clubs history after the Libertadores victory. Luis Suarez gets acquainted with Chiellini Things couldnt be looking any better fro Uruguay. They were the surprise of the World Cup, playing very serious soccer and having in Luis Suarez their main star. The Uruguayan had already announce he was leaving Liverpool and a good performance in Brazil would help him get the contract of his dreams with whatever team he desired. Then, against Italy, he decided to reenact his episode with Ivanovic and he bit Giorgio Chiellini in the shoulder. The game ended, Uruguay beat Italy, but FIFA reviewed the play and suspended the forward for 4 months, and almost a year at the International level. Surely, Suarez will not forget 2014. SEE ALSO: Jose Gimenez takes Europe by storm Colombia stuns the world in Brazil The round of 16 of the World Cup saw Colombia face off against Uruguay, a team devastated after Luis Suarezs suspension. Still, Uruguay –top team in South America until 2013, winner of the Copa America in 2011 and fourth place team in the world in 2010– seemed strong enough to beat a team that had surprised everyone with their fresh style of play and some irreverent young players, like James Rodriguez, but which didnt seem solid enough to break through the robust Celeste defense. But that all changed with Rodriguez himself unleashed a tremendous strike that would become the best goal of the tournament, and likely of the year. The Cafeteros proved the world they were here to stay, as they boast one of the top generations in the countrys history, and have a coach at the helm keen on making his team play like the angels. Lionel Messi keeps on scoring — a lot Its been, arguably, Lionel Messis worst year as a professional. The Argentine has not won a single title, with his team, his National Team or at an individual level except for the World Cup Ballon dOr, which made him blush when he got it, knowing full well other German players probably deserved it much more. But even in an off year, Messi broke records incredible records. Spaced out by just a few days, Messi became the top goalscorer in Champions League history, crushing Rauls previous mark of 71, and also in La Liga, overpassing mythical Athletic Bilbaos forward Telmo Zarra. It doesnt really matter if he wins a lot or not, Messi is reliable enough to always be present, and while he surely would have liked for 2014 to be a much more memorable year –possibly lifting the World Cup also–, these two records will make his year unforgettable in its own.The post The top five moments in soccer of 2014 appeared first on Voxxi.
2014 has been a great year for soccer all over the word with some of the best moments of the last decade happening within the last 365 days. Of course, the fact there was a World Cup last summer, in Brazil of all places, helped a lot to make 2014 a more than memorable year, so lets take a look back at the moments that defined the the year:
Sergio Ramos’ 93 minute goal
Spanish defender Sergio Ramos would find himself a spot in Real Madrid and Champions Leagues history thanks to a very last minute header in the final of the tournament to help the Merengues top Atletico Madrid.
His goal gave way to overtime, in which Ancelottis men would prevail and beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 to win their 10th Champions League title 12 years after winning their 9th.
SEE ALSO: 2014: A year to remember for Real Madrid
Pope Francis helps San Lorenzo win the Copa Libertadores
San Lorenzo was there, in 1960, when the first Copa Libertadores took place. Only thing was, between then and now, the fifth big team in Argentina had never actually won the top continental tournament in America. But 2014 would be the year.
Without the big stars of the past, Edgardo Bauza put together a squad that released the cracking all over South America, and ended up beating Paraguays Nacional to clinch their first Libertadores in history.
The victory gave them a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, and a chance to be crowned the best team in the world. Although the full dream was not achieved, the year will become the best in the clubs history after the Libertadores victory.
Luis Suarez gets acquainted with Chiellini
Things couldnt be looking any better fro Uruguay. They were the surprise of the World Cup, playing very serious soccer and having in Luis Suarez their main star.
The Uruguayan had already announce he was leaving Liverpool and a good performance in Brazil would help him get the contract of his dreams with whatever team he desired. Then, against Italy, he decided to reenact his episode with Ivanovic and he bit Giorgio Chiellini in the shoulder.
The game ended, Uruguay beat Italy, but FIFA reviewed the play and suspended the forward for 4 months, and almost a year at the International level. Surely, Suarez will not forget 2014.
SEE ALSO: Jose Gimenez takes Europe by storm
Colombia stuns the world in Brazil
The round of 16 of the World Cup saw Colombia face off against Uruguay, a team devastated after Luis Suarezs suspension.
Still, Uruguay –top team in South America until 2013, winner of the Copa America in 2011 and fourth place team in the world in 2010– seemed strong enough to beat a team that had surprised everyone with their fresh style of play and some irreverent young players, like James Rodriguez, but which didnt seem solid enough to break through the robust Celeste defense.
But that all changed with Rodriguez himself unleashed a tremendous strike that would become the best goal of the tournament, and likely of the year.
The Cafeteros proved the world they were here to stay, as they boast one of the top generations in the countrys history, and have a coach at the helm keen on making his team play like the angels.
Lionel Messi keeps on scoring — a lot
Its been, arguably, Lionel Messis worst year as a professional. The Argentine has not won a single title, with his team, his National Team or at an individual level except for the World Cup Ballon dOr, which made him blush when he got it, knowing full well other German players probably deserved it much more.
But even in an off year, Messi broke records incredible records. Spaced out by just a few days, Messi became the top goalscorer in Champions League history, crushing Rauls previous mark of 71, and also in La Liga, overpassing mythical Athletic Bilbaos forward Telmo Zarra.
It doesnt really matter if he wins a lot or not, Messi is reliable enough to always be present, and while he surely would have liked for 2014 to be a much more memorable year –possibly lifting the World Cup also–, these two records will make his year unforgettable in its own.
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