It is almost two years since the world cup shattered the giant glass roof and brought a major sporting event to the Africa. The cradle of humanity put on a great showing at hosting it, the tournament itself will probably be remembered for off field events as much as on field play (cough, splutter French, cough) The Jabulani beach ball meant that the tournament wasn't filled with many long-shot goals. However, Africa's first World Cup will be remembered fondly as a major step forward in the closing of boundaries in the footballing world. Despite the lack of long shot goals there where still some pretty special goals. The top ten are...
Siphiwe TSHABALA vs Mexico Group Stage
The first goal at a world cup on African soil was a gem. Nominated for that years FIFA Puskas Award. A lovely counter-attacking goal, Mexico who had been dominant for most of the match where stretched at the back and a pinpoint through ball picked out the on coming Tshabalala,winning his 50th cap that day, he takes one touch and as Perez comes he leathers it into the top corner. A good goal, but a great goal in the circumstances. this goal really announced the African World Cup.
Valter BIRSA vs USA Group Stage
MAICON vs North Korea Group Stage
Mesut OZIL vs Ghana Group Stage
David VILLA vs Honduras Group Stage
Luis SUAREZ vs South Korea Round of 16
Carlos TEVEZ vs Mexico Round of 16
Giovani VAN BRONCKHORST vs Uruguay Semi-Finals
So a another World Cup lit up by some great goals. As always we have to rank them, though I think you can guess who will win, the top ten goals of world cup 2010 are:
Siphiwe TSHABALA vs Mexico Group Stage
The first goal at a world cup on African soil was a gem. Nominated for that years FIFA Puskas Award. A lovely counter-attacking goal, Mexico who had been dominant for most of the match where stretched at the back and a pinpoint through ball picked out the on coming Tshabalala,winning his 50th cap that day, he takes one touch and as Perez comes he leathers it into the top corner. A good goal, but a great goal in the circumstances. this goal really announced the African World Cup.
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| Look at his face... |
Not often included in top ten lists, but Slovenia were almost through to the last 16 had it not been for a USA come back. After beating Algeria in the first game this stunner set them on their way against the USA. Receiving the ball about 25 yards from goal, he turns into space and curls a magnificent shot past Howard. Though Slovenia didn't progress this goal was the highlight of their tournament.
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| Slovenia, Who are they? |
One of those "What the hell happened there?" moments. After being frustrated by a resilient North Korea side, Maicon, summoning the spirit of Cafu and Roberto Carlos, charges down the wing and former Man City player Elano feeds him. The North Korean keeper anticipates the cross but Maicon cuts across the ball getting enough swerve to bend it from the goal line into the net. An incredible goal, goalkeeping is questionable though.
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| Maicon bombs down the right, quite ironic against North Korea... |
Germany needed to beat Ghana to be sure of qualification and it had be one of there young stars that scored the goal to take them through. Combining to of the best players of the tournament good work by Muller (wearing the #13 shirt of his namesake) down the right cuts inside and gets the pass away to Ozil who flicks it up and smashes it into the top corner. Germany went through and the rest is history.
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| A star is born... |
After there shock loss to Switzerland in the first game, Spain needed to kick start there campaign and Villa's beauty against Honduras was like kick starting a Harley-Davidson. Piques crosses and Villa controls with his chest. Running at the defence he flip-flaps between to defenders on the corner of the box, cuts in side and fires it into the top corner. The best solo goal of the competition. The best goal of Spain's world cup winning campaign.
The shining light of Italy's disastrous attempt to retain the World Cup. 3-1 down to Slovakia and heading out of the World Cup, Quagliarella produced a goal worthy of the world champions, in added time he executed a beautiful chip over the keeper to give Italy a sliver of hope (though it didn't prove useful), getting just enough elevation to lift it over the goalie. Beautiful goal.
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One of the best players in the Premier League at the moment, this goal was what really drew the attention of Europe's elite. some fancy footwork on the edge of the box, before he curls a lovely shot in off the post leaving the South Korean keeper with no chance. But with Luis Suarez, anything is possible.
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| BUNDLE!!!!! |
Argentina didn't reach their full potential at South Africa, however they had the most formidable front three in international football of Tevez, Messi and Higuain, an attacking trident with enough talent to rip apart any defence in the world. A great goal sealed Argentina's passage to the quarter finals, Heinze squares it to Tevez who attempts to thread it through two Mexican defenders, it comes of the legs and Tevez leathers it into the top corner with enough power that it hit the net before you heard it leave his boot. Unstoppable.
This goal summed up Germany's world cup, youth and experience gelling perfectly, in a fast flowing attacking style (how dare they be exciting). Germany where rampant and where already 3-0 up, in the dying moments. Ozil collects the ball and lays it to Podolski, he has space ahead of him running forward he through balls it into Ozil on the edge of the box who executes a perfect chipped cross over two Argentinian players to Klose who volleys it into the bottom corner for his 14th World Cup finals goal, one behind Ronaldo (the Brazilian one). A fabulous team goal.
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| The celebration wasn't half bad either... |
Like Tshabalala's nominated for the 2010 FIFA Puskas Award, the very definition of the words 'thunderbolt' and 'screamer'. Villain of the tournament Mark Van Bommel clatters into a Uruguayan as the Dutch pay it across the park until it gets to the captain Van Bronckhorst. And from a seemingly harmless position on the left wing he hits and absolute peach into the postage stamp area of the opposite top corner. In 106 caps he scored 6 times for his country. Just an incredible strike, it didn't move or swerve, it wasn't a shot, it was a laser guided missile that nearly ripped the goal out of the ground.
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| Don't even bother goalkeeper... |
10. MAICON vs North Korea
9. KLOSE vs Argentina
8. VILLA vs Honduras
7. SUAREZ vs South Korea
6. QUAGLIARELLA vs Slovakia
5. TSHABALALA vs Mexico
4. BIRSA vs USA
3. OZIL vs Ghana
2. TEVEZ vs Mexico
1. VAN BRONCKHORST vs Uruguay
So there you have it, the best goals of a memorable world cup. If you disagree with the rankings then comment. Read next week for Top 10 Goals Champions League Group Stage 2011-2012.
Congratulations to Gypsy King for winning yesterdays caption competition, he has chosen Top 10 referee errors. I will post these on the Wednesday the 25th as I will be in Dubai on the friday.
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