GOALS THAT LIT UP RUSSIA
Goals light up football whether the match is played in a school ground or in a World Cup. Nothing is more satisfying for fans than seeing the net bulge. The World Cup in Russia has had its fair share of spectacular goals. Here is the list of the best ahead of the final.
ANGEL DI MARIA ( ARG) VS FRANCE: The PSG wide man lashed the ball home from 30 yards for a breathtaking goal against France. Di Maria had struck the ball so sweetly with his left foot that the French goalie Hugo Lloris had chance of touching it.
BENJAMIN PAVARD ( FRA) VS ARGE- NTINA: Pavard’s reply to Di Maria’s sensational goal was even more stunning as he hit the ball on the half- volley from the edge of the box. The spin on the monstrous shot captivated viewers all over the world. EDINSON CAVANI ( URU) VS PORTUGAL: The strapping forward curled the ball to the far corner with a regal first- touch from the left. It was his match because he had opened the scoring for Uruguay with a fine header. DENIS CHERYSHEV ( RUS) VS CROATIA: Scoring a sublime World Cup goal at home is every football player’s dream and Cheryshev realised it with an unstoppable, looping shot with his majestic left- foot from 25 yards in the quarter- final. The Fisht Stadium rocked in appreciation.
AHMED MUSA ( NIG) VS ICELAND: The wiry forward made it look so easy but the way he controlled a rightwing cross with an outstretched leg before slamming it home on the half- volley would even elude Messi and Ronaldo. It is certainly a contender for the goal of the tournament. TONI KROOS ( GER) VS SWEDEN: Germany’s World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread when the Real midfielder lined up a free kick from the left in the dying minutes. A difficult angle failed to prevent Kroos from firing a rocket into the far corner after a tee- up from Marco Reus. Pure class.
GRANIT XHAKA ( SWIT) VS SERBIA: You would not have seen a more powerful leftfooted shot than the one with which the Arsenal midfielder pulled Switzerland level with Serbia. It was a beauty that was struck with the sweetest of shots.
LIONEL MESSI ( ARG) VS NIGERIA: A rare pass from a midfielder got its proper treatment as
M es si controlled it with his left thigh and left foot before blasting the ball home with his weaker right foot. It was the little fella at his best.
ARTEM DZYUBA ( RUS) VS EGPYT: The towering forward controlled a raking pass from his own half on his chest and left a defender dead with a superb touch before shooting the ball in calmly. It was poetry in motion, although it is difficult for casual observers to appreciate the beauty of the goal.
RICARDO QUARESMA ( POR) VS IRAN: The man reputed for scoring spectacular goals came up with yet another one from the topdrawer with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the box. Quaresma was in the air when he hit the ball and even Cristiano Ronaldo had no choice other than congratulating him.