The World Cup is one of the most viewed events on the planet. Nations that have qualified from every continent gather every four years to battle for the most prestigious football title. There is one thing though that you can definitely count on to see at every World Cup: goals. We’ve seen some spectacular goals in this year’s World Cup in Qatar…but how about in the years before?
Richarlison (2022)
Brazil outclassed Serbia 2-0 in their World Cup opener as Richarlison scored two second-half goals, including a spectacular overhead kick. Richarlison created magic with this goal as he set himself up for an un-savable bicycle kick into the bottom corner. The young Brazilian has been in fine form when he wears the golden yellow kit of Brazil with a future so bright in the next World Cups.
Benjamin Pavard (2018)
Benjamin Pavard of France scored an incredible goal against Argentina in the round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Due to the length and technique Pavard used to score the goal, it was chosen as the 2018 World Cup’s goal in the tournament. The French defender saw the ball fall to him on the edge of the box, leaned back, and struck the ball with the outside of his boot with the cleanest of strikes into the top corner; satisfying is perhaps the best way to describe this goal.
Michael Owen (1998)
To this date, a lot of people debate that England’s best-ever World Cup goal was scored by 18-year-old Michael Owen. It was a goal that changed the teenage sensation’s life, propelling him to fortune and fame around the world. The funny thing is that people at the time were doubtful and even debated whether he should even be at the World Cup before the tournament started.
Saeed Al Owairan (1994)
Although some would disagree, Saudi Arabia’s goal versus Belgium’s is considered to be the best World Cup goal ever. The final shot was more difficult to score as Al-Owairan ran farther than Maradona, and it was enough to advance Saudi to the World Cup group stages in 1994 for the first and only time in their history.
Carlos Alberto (1970)
In the 1970 World Cup final match which featured Brazil playing against Italy, Carlos Alberto scored one of the coolest goals of all time as some people described it. Conveying style and elegance, the Brazilian delivered the full package of what a perfect goal would entail. The goal featured the whole Brazilian team passing the ball around to each other in their own half before the move advances and Pele through-passes the ball up Alberto to drill a low finish into the bottom corner.
Diego Maradona (1986)
Considered one of the greatest of all time, Diego Maradona scored a second goal against England in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup. Dubbed the goal of the century, Maradona’s goal portrayed the epitome of football genius. In that match, Maradona scored the famously dubbed “The hand of God” goal which saw him score with his hand. A lot of controversies erupted back then, but now people joke about it, and is very famous in the world of football.
Watch these goals, and if you’re not a big fan of football, then I guarantee you that you’ll fall in love with the sport. Each of these goals featured a star player that wrote history and left a legacy that will live on forever in the world of football.