The best individual goals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup saw the dominance of the favorites. Brazil was the host nation and were considered favorites to win the competition along with Germany and Argentina. However, the Germans thrashed host nation 7-1 in the semi-final of the competition and booked their meeting with Argentina in the finals. In the final, the Argentine players failed to capitalize on the numerous occasions and the match went to extra-time.

The National Eleven hit back and they didn’t miss this opportunity of winning the game and the tournament. Mario Gotze scored the winning goal and helped his nation in winning their fourth FIFA World Cup and first since the German reunification in 1990.

In this World Cup, many teams progressed to further stages due to phenomenal performances of their key player. Lionel Messi scored four goals and carried Argentina on his shoulders till the final of the World Cup. Also, due to leading his team from the front, the Argentine captain was awarded the Golden Ball award at the competition. Other players who contributed a lot to their team and helped them in going ahead in this World Cup were: Neymar, Thomas Muller, Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Above all these players, we consider the contribution of James Rodriguez of the same level as Lionel Messi. The Colombian striker was not a known figure in the competition and didn’t have a strong squad. Despite all of this, Rodriguez managed to score six goals and won the Golden Boot award.

Now, as we are talking about the efforts of individual players. Let’s have a look at top-five individual goals that made the 2014 World Cup more memorable:

5) Lionel Messi goal vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina were playing their first World Cup game ever in the history. This memorable match soon turned into a nightmare as they scored an own goal in the 3rd minute of the match. After this, Bosnia became firm and kept the Argentines silent for few minutes.

We all know that one can keep La Albiceleste quite but not Lionel Messi. The Argentine captain played one-two-one with Gonzalo Higuain and then received the ball right outside the Bosnian box. Messi then cut the ball towards his left, leaving behind two Bosnian defenders down on the pitch. The Argentine forward then fired a shot that clinked the left pole and ended at the back of the net.

4) Arjen Robben goal vs Spain

Spain were the defending champions and were being considered to retain the World Cup in the 2014 competition. However, the hopes of retaining the Golden Trophy almost vanished in their first game against the Netherlands. The Clockwork Orange after conceding one goal from the penalty spot made a comeback and scored five goals in their first game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The fifth goal that was scored by Arjen Robben gathered the headlines due to the pace and skills involved in the goal. Wesley Sneijder was the playmaker, the Dutchman played a through ball from left flank towards the right flank. The Dutch striker galloped towards the Spanish box, outpacing Sergio Ramos in the process and then dribbled past Iker Casillas. Robben then fired the ball from the center of the box towards the top right corner of the goal. There was nothing one could do to stop the shot and the ball ended at the back of the net.

3) Mario Gotze goal vs Argentina

The final battle to win the Golden Trophy was going on between Germany and Argentina. None of the sides were able to get a breakthrough in the 90 minutes and the match went into extra-time.

In the 113th minute of the game, Andre Schurrle galloped on the left flank and then delivered a perfect ball inside the 30-yard-box. The ball reached Mario Gotze, who got the ball down using his chest and then fired on the second touch from his left feet. The ball went past Sergio Romero and ended on the right side of the net. This was the only goal that separated both the sides at the end of the game and the Germans got their hands on their fourth World Cup trophy.

2) Robin Van Persie goal vs Spain

In the opening game of the Netherlands in the 2014 World Cup. The Clockwork Orange ran a riot against the defending champions, Spain. The Spaniards got the lead from the penalty spot early in the game, but that lead couldn’t last for a long time.

Daley Blind played a brilliant ball from the center of the left flank. The ball found Robin Van Persie, just inside Spain’s box. The Dutchman flew in the air and headed the ball that sailed over the head of Iker Casillas into the back of the net.

1) James Rodriguez goal vs Uruguay

Colombia were up against Uruguay in the round of 16 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Tri Colors emerged as the winners but there was just one Colombian, who eliminated Uruguay with his individual performance. We are talking about the Golden Boot winner, James Rodriguez.

Abel Aguilar headed the ball towards Rodriguez from the center of the pitch. The Bayern Munich player took the first touch with his chest and got the ball down to his feet. Then launched it towards the Uruguayan’s goal. The ball rattled the crossbar and ended at the back of the net. This goal from Rodriguez was considered the best goal of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.