World Cup 2018: 5 best goals from the last edition of the World Cup

Modified Jun 12, 2018 07:34 GMT

The Winning Moment — The winning moment - Mario Gotze's

The 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup is less than a week away. The hosts Russia are gearing up for arguably the most viewed sporting event in the world.

Germany will be looking to create history by defending their cup which they won four years ago, whereas dark horses like Belgium and Columbia would be aiming for their first title.

From Lionel Messi to James Rodriguez, World Cup 2014 saw a plethora of great goals being scored, both by veterans and the newbies of the game.

Each of the 32 teams had something to remember, and they are sure to cherish those moments for years to come.

Because the tournament in Russia is just around the corner, let's revisit the top 5 goals in the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Honorable mentions: Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Iran, David Luiz (Brazil) vs Columbia

#5 Arjen Robben (Netherlands) vs Spain

Entering into the fifth place is Arjen Robben's 80th minute wonder goal. The Netherlands were already 4-1 ahead against Spain, but the best was yet to come.

How many people can boast of fooling three all-time greats in Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and Gerard Pique in just one dribble?

Robben did it with ease and composure and sprinted with the ball from halfway down the line and squeezed the ball into the net to extend the team's lead to a huge difference of four goals.

Thus, Robben and his team handed Spain a defeat they will probably never forget.

Enjoy the goal here.

#4 Tim Cahill (Australia) vs The Netherlands

Clearly, Australia wasn't the strongest team going into the World Cup. Fair enough, the country was never known for producing footballing talent like her European counterparts.

Trailing 0-1 to the Netherlands, Tim Cahill scored a marvelous goal that genuinely put Australia on the map, at least for that particular game.

Just after a minute of Robben's solo beauty, Cahill launched a weak-footed volley in the 21st minute which saw fans erupting into cheers. Left unmarked inside the penalty box, Cahill saw an opening and wasted no time in capitalizing on it and equaling the score.

The goal certainly was a career highlight for Tim Cahill and was a great moment for the Australians.

Relive the moment here.

#3 Robin van Persie (Netherlands) vs Spain

The Flying Dutchman is not just a ghost ship. Robin Van Persie's header against Spain should fetch him a title equivalent of that.

A truly one of a kind goal, RVP's diving header got him a Puskas Award nomination, and deservedly so.

What started as a great assist from Daley Blind, caught Van Persie in the perfect position, he chipped in the goal from a diving header from almost 15 yards out.

The strike left one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Iker Casillas, dumbstruck. Unique is just an understatement to describe how awesome the goal was.

Here is how the incident went.

#2 Mario Gotze (Germany) vs Argentina

A goal which is scored at a crucial and vital moment should also be recognized as a great one. Mario Gotze's left-footed shot took Germany home with the World Cup, it was a 113th-minute goal which shocked everyone and sent Argentina packing.

Imagine the situation, two of the best teams in the world fighting in the finals. The second half of extra time; Andre Schürrle making the most of a great dribble and a perfect pass to Gotze who makes no mistake in receiving the ball on his chest before a well-timed volley to take the lead 1-0.

Sergio Romero could hardly do anything, and the entire Argentina squad just hung their heads in helplessness, in what could have been an astounding World Cup victory for their main man, Lionel Messi.

Here is the moment that made the difference.

#1 James Rodriguez (Columbia) vs Uruguay

If the 2014 World Cup did any favors for a single player, it has to be Columbia's, James Rodriguez. The man who was unheard of before turned into an overnight sensation, thanks to his superb performances in almost all his matches.

Perhaps the best goal of the tournament came in the Columbia vs Uruguay match, when the man of the hour stunned everyone with a picture perfect volley which sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Positioned in between 6 defenders, James controlled a header from his teammate and hit a rocket into Uruguay's net to which the goalkeeper could do nothing.

The goal earned him a well-deserved Puskas award, and a lot of respect and admiration from fans worldwide.

Enjoy the moment which changed everything for Rodriguez.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.