We continue our list of the best goals of the year as 2016 dawns to a beautiful end.
In the first part of our top 10 goals list, we had some brilliant goals which included Dmitri Payet’s sensational run and finish for West Ham and Faiz Subri’s brilliant free kick that will go down in this history books.
Now, we look at some goals that better even those brilliant pieces of skills, as we compile our list of the top 5 goals of the year.
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#5 Dele Alli vs Crystal Palace
One of the biggest shocks of the Puskas Award this year around was that this sensational goal by the then English teenager did not make its way into the top 10.
(Video Courtesy: SETTHEFIRE1337 YouTube Channel)
Alli’s sensational hit against Crystal Palace in his breakthrough season with Tottenham Hotspur was arguably the best goal in the Premier League last season, and its inclusion in this list is as such unquestionable.
The midfield prodigy controlled the ball with his first touch, lobbed it over his head with his second, turned his body and hit a shot from outside the box that beat the Palace defence and goalkeeper and showed the world exactly how brilliant this player was. An amazing hit from a player brimming with confidence.
#4 Marlone vs Cobresal
The home of football, Brazil, is never shy of producing great goals for the ages.
Marlone’s second goal for Brazilian heavyweights Corinthians was a thing of absolute beauty. His first goal for the club had come in the same game, and he followed that up with a stunner that will be remembered for some time by the fans of the club.
(Video Courtesy: Who Ate All The Pies YouTube Channel)
Marlone received a cross from his teammate down the right flank, and the midfielder controlled the ball with his chest inside the opponents’ box, and then he latched onto it in a jiffy as a defender was closing in, and hit an acrobatic scissor kick in mid-air which left the goalkeeper with absolutely no chance of saving the shot.
#3 Mesut Ozil vs Ludogorets
Mesut Ozil is often called a magician, and in this recent Champions League game, the German showed his incredible skills.
(Video Courtesy: Lionel Messi Fans YouTube Channel)
Ozil latched on to a ball, chipped it over the advancing keeper, got it back and dummied past two defenders before finally just deftly passing it into the back of the net as the scurrying goalkeeper behind could only hold his head.
This goal turned out to be the winner of the game and is surely an undisputed entry into the top 3 of the year.
#2 Saul Niguez vs Bayern Munich
A sensational goal from a sensational player against a sensational team.
Too many adjectives? Forgive me, but this goal deserves no less than the utmost respect and appreciation.
(Video Courtesy: Highlights football YouTube Channel)
Atletico Madrid is a team that is defined by their collective prowess and the tactical nuance of coach Diego Simeone, but this goal is a moment of individual brilliance that humbled the mighty Bayern Munich.
A goal that no one saw coming and a run that dribbling legends like Mane Garrincha would be proud of, Saul picked up the ball inside the Bayern half with the entirety of the Bayern defence staring at him. Choosing to do the impossible rather than pass the ball, the Spaniard cut through the likes of Tiago Alacantra, Xabi Alonso and David Alaba to dance pass the Bavarian defence and put the ball past Manuel Neuer who could just look on in despair.
A goal against the mightiest of opponents that came in a competition for the elite, and hence this deserves its place here.
#1 Daniuska Rodríguez vs Colombia, Women’s U-17 Sudamericano Championship
Choosing the best goal of the year is nigh impossible. Every year, there are hundreds of brilliant goals scored by players from several countries in tens of different competitions. However, this effort deserves the highest of accolades and it warrants its place here as well as in the Puskas top 3 where it stands a real chance of winning the prestigious award. What is even more impressive is the fact that this comes from the feet of a teenager.
Daniuska Rodriguez bombarded through to the Colombian penalty area before dancing and twisting around two defenders, finally putting the ball into the roof of the net with a shot of high ferocity.
Not only was the amount of skill involved before the goal beautiful, the shot itself was one that is as powerful and accurate as a player could hope for.
In a year of terrific goals, this one takes the cake.
Honourable mentions
Pierrick Capelle vs Angers (Ligue 1) – A terrific hit from the player as he controlled the ball with his chest, turned around and sent it flying into the back of the net from outside the box.
Gonzalo Higuain vs Frosinone – One touch and an acrobatic scissor kick that saw the ball guide over the keeper, this was one of the best efforts of the year and one of the goals that got Higuain his big money move to Juventus.
Jamie Vardy vs Liverpool – Latching on first time to a bouncing ball given to him by Riyad Mahrez, the player scored a beautiful goal from some distance as Simon Mignolet was beaten. A ferocious strike scored by a player brimming with confidence.
