7 World Cup goals that should be nominated for the Puskas award

The 2014 FIFA World Cup delivered on its promise of a footballing spectacle, with incredibly competitive and hilariously one-sided matches on display. There were quite a few stunning goals scored as well, and it is the opinion of this writer that of the five mentioned below, at least two merit a nomination for the Puskas award – given to the best goal scored during the calendar year.On that note, let’s dive in.

#1 Lionel Messi vs Bosnia

Type of goal – Shot from edge of the box

Degree of difficulty – 8/10

This is the typical Messi goal. The build-up starts in the opposition’s half, Messi does a give-n-go with one of his team-mates, collects the ball outside the box and finds the right moment to unleash a shot into the corner.

What makes this goal a bit more special is the fact that the Bosnian defense is well aware of what Messi is planning to do. The defenders don’t commit themselves, which is the right thing to do; instead, they try to crowd out Messi and cut out the scoring angle.

As many as four defenders are trying to put Messi off, and in fact they succeed, to an extent. Notice how Messi has three checks at a shot, decides to wait for a better angle and then when he is confident his shot won’t be blocked off, shoots it past the keeper.

He makes it look easy, but then that’s the sign of a great player.

#2 Arjen Robben vs Spain

Type of goal – Long run, 1-on-1 with keeper

Degree of difficulty – 8/10

For this one, we go back to that mother of all matches in the World Cup. You know, the one that was supposed to be a tight clash. Yeah, right.

The goal itself looks pretty straightforward and simple. Robben is one-on-one with the keeper and comes out on top. But it’s the build-up to the goal that makes it very special.

The through-ball from Nigel de Jong has Robben running a full 50m sprint, where he easily manages to beat Ramos despite the Spaniard having 10m on him. Robben has built up so much momentum that it seems he will have to commit for a shot on goal. But he has the composure and balance to stop at full-pelt, and jink past Casillas, effectively putting him out of the game for a moment.

Robben still checks his shot one more time, just to make sure it isn’t blocked by Ramos or Pique on the line. And then, when he has balance and angle, shoots it right into the net, high enough so that Pique can’t reach it.

Pace to beat the man, balance to control the ball and composure to finish it. Great goal.

#3 Xherdan Shaqiri vs Honduras

Type of goal – Shot from outside the box

Degree of difficulty – 8.5/10

Let’s face it. Left-footed players, when they shoot, look far classier than their right-footed counterparts. No one knows why, but it’s a fact we can all agree on.

Shaqiri’s effort against Honduras is one such shot that you can watch over and over again. Collecting the ball on the right edge of the box, Shaqiri swivels and starts his run towards the centre of the field. He had a marker on him at all times in the game, as can be seen by the Honduras player closest to him, frantically trying to get a hold of the Swiss winger.

Very much like the Messi goal against Bosnia, Shaqiri is being closed off by no less than three players, with a further defender in the box looking to block his shot.

The balance and the presence of mind to skip past challenges and find the perfect position to shoot from, is what makes this goal special. The shot is hard and high into the corner, out of the keeper’s reach and curling very late.

It’s a perfect trifecta of composure, strength and accuracy of shot.

#4 James Rodriguez vs Uruguay

Type of goal – Shot from outside the box

Degree of difficulty – 8.5/10

The goal that was voted as the “Goal of the tournament” comes in at No.4 on our list. James Rodriguez’s shot from outside the box against Uruguay was perhaps one of the highlights of the tournament.

Rodriguez, as all good no. 10s, stands between the lines, waiting for the ball to arrive. The game of head-tennis between the defenders and midfielders finally brings the ball close to him. While many would expect him to cushion the ball and look for a killer pass, Rodriguez surprises the entire Uruguayan defense, and perhaps his own strikers, by swivelling and in one motion strikes the ball into the top corner with his favoured left foot.

A truly spectacular goal, but certainly not the best of the tournament, as we will see in the list later.

#5 Gervinho vs Colombia

Type of goal – Dribble past players, shot from inside the box

Degree of difficulty – 9/10

Whatever your opinion about Gervinho, this goal is a testament to how quickly he has improved in the past two seasons since leaving Arsenal for Roma.

In Ivory Coast’s match against Colombia, Gervinho collects the ball on the left touchline and immediately sets off towards goal. He beats two defenders quite comfortably, and is challenged by a third as he enters the box.

The challenge from the defender in the box is enough for your average footballer to go down and claim a penalty for. But Gervinho stays on his feet and moves further towards the centre. He only has a defender and the goalkeeper blocking his path to goal.

The defender in the box positions himself to block off the shot to the far post, the usual shot that most strikers favour when cutting in from the left. Gervinho has the balance and presence of mind to change his shot destination at the last moment, and coolly strikes it into the near corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

A brilliant solo effort, and worthy of a Puskas award nomination

#6 Robin Van Persie vs Spain

Type of goal – Run behind the defense, diving header from inside the box

Degree of difficulty – 9.5/10

Perhaps one of the finest goals in recent memory in terms of technical ability, skill and timing & placement of the shot. The ball from Daley Blind travels at least 40 metres before Van Persie connects with it – a difficult distance to judge the ball’s trajectory and speed.

Not only does van Persie manage to do that, he also has a quick look at Casillas who has left his line in the hopes of getting closer to the ball. This is what makes the goal special. It’s not enough for van Persie to simply reach the ball. His decision to head the ball first time cuts down the time Casillas has to come closer to him.

Your average striker would consider taking a first touch, looking up at the keeper and then finishing. But that gives the goalkeeper the split second required to close down the striker.

The header is priceless and perfect, looping over the keeper and into the net. The timing, placement, balance, technique and skill required to pull this off makes this one a certain candidate for nomination.

Here’s the goal, from multiple angles:

#7 Tim Cahill vs Netherlands

Type of goal – Left-foot volley from inside the box

Degree of difficulty – 10/10

If you have ever played the game, then you know just how difficult full volleys are. Judging the ball’s trajectory while on the move and striking it in mid-air towards goal is the hardest things to do in football, for us mortals.

Thankfully for Australia, Tim Cahill is not a mortal but a legend that keeps on going, time after time. In the match against the Dutch, Brian McGowan puts a high ball into the box, in the general direction that Cahill is in.

The Dutch defenders are already closing in on Cahill, and it seemed for a moment that the Australian striker would be foiled.

But Cahill’s first-time volley with his weak foot stuns the defense and the goalkeeper and the element of surprise is what makes the goal stupendous.

The ball comes over his right shoulder, travelling from right to left. Cahill strikes it with his left foot, sending the ball in the opposite direction at full speed, where it hits the crossbar and falls in. It’s all over in 2 seconds.

A sensational effort from Cahill.