Despite the tournament being stained by Jabulani controversy, there have still been plenty of delightful goals. It has been a wonderful World Cup in terms of the number of goals scored – 145 in total – some through collective team work, while the others courtesy individual brilliance. Here’s a compilation of Top-10 goals scored in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Do remember to share your opinions in the comments section.
10. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s booming drive against Mexico
The opening goal of the 2010 World Cup is certainly one of the goals to leave a lasting impression. Kagisho Dikgacoi picked up Tshabalala with a defense-splitting long through ball across the midfield and after taking a couple of touches, Tshabalala fired a crashing shot into the top corner of the far post, leaving the Mexican goalkeeper with absolutely no chance to avert the goal. This goal set the tone of the tournament and sent the entire Rainbow Nation into frenzy.
9. Yasuhito Endo’s curling delivery against Denmark:
This was a wonderful strike from the Gamba Osaka starlet. Denmark defense conceded a needless free-kick right at the edge of their box. The Japanese midfielder, who seemed to have mastered the art of Jabulani to perfection, unleashed a curling delivery with optimum power that crashed into the corner of a outstretched Sorenson’s left post. Bend it like Endo; Ronaldo, Xavi – take a note!
8. David Villa’s long range overhead lob against Chile:
In a moment of bizarre madness, Chile goal keeper Claudio Bravo rushed out to intercept a Xabi Alonso pass. His sliding clearance fell straight to David Villa who took a sensational left footed first time chip from around 30 yards out over the goalkeeper and one defender’s head into the empty net.
7. Luis Suarez’s twisting shot against South Korea:
After a corner kick clearance from the right of South Korean goal fell for Nicolas Lodeiro, he chested the ball back to Luis Suarez on the left edge of the box. Suarez took a first touch to his right, dodged past one South Korean defender, and sent in a curling strike from around 20 yards out. The ball appeared to be missing the far post, before taking a surprising in-swing to kiss the inside of the post and into the Korean net. Swing it like Suarez – Gurindar Chadha, are you listening?
6. David Villa’s magical finish against Honduras:
With this wonder goal, Villa opened his goal-scoring account in South Africa. After receiving the ball on the left wing, Villa dissected two defenders, then cut inside to round off another one before striking an inch perfect attempt into the top right corner with a cool finish while falling down backwards. Undoubtedly one of the best individual field goals of the tournament.
5. Fabio Quagliarella’s clever little chip against Slovakia:
The only thing worth mentioning about the Azzurri in this world cup campaign is Quagliarella’s consolation goal. Quagliarella got the ball Just inside the box and noticing the Slovak goalkeeper coming off his line, instead of firing in a thunder-strike, he calmly slotted in a clever little chip over Jan Mucha’s head into the top of the left post. As cool as a cucumber!
4. Carlos Tevez’s scorcher against Mexico:
Six minutes into the second half, after his initial attempt rebounded invitingly into his own path, Tevez put the game well out of Mexican reach by unleashing an inexorable right footer from 25 yards out to score the third goal of the match for Argentina. Mexican goalkkeper Oscar Perez should consider himself fortunate, since he had the best seat in the stadium to witness and applaud one of the finest goals being scored in the world cup history. Certainly one of the most memorable goals of Carlitos’ career.
3. Diego Forlan’s swerving free-kick against Ghana:
Uruguay earned a free-kick on the edge of the Ghana box when Fucile was brought down unfairly by John Panstil. Diego Forlan stepped up and his lovely swerving delivery took an astounding dip at the very last minute to beat Ghanaian ‘keeper Kingson all ends up kissing the top of the far post. Diego Forlan, *RESPECT*.
2. Maicon’s cracker from an improbable angle against North Korea:
Brazil as a team might have disappointed this time around, but Maicon did manage to pull off an absolute gem. Charging into an overlapping run through the right wing, his thunderous strike from the toughest of angles beat the Korean keeper Ri Myong-Guk at his near post. Wait ! – did he intended to shoot or was he just looking for a cross? Highly debatable! Nonetheless, the stunned Korean faces and jubilant celebration from the Canarinhos truly portrayed the quality of that fabulous strike.
1. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s thunderbolt against Uruguay:
The goal of the tournament by far! This immaculate strike was preceded by a slick exchange of passes before the ball fell to van Bronckhorst. There were atleast five different players he could have passed the ball to – instead he choose to unleash a ferocious drive from around 45 yards out. It beat Uruguayan custodian Muslera and hit the inside of the post before crashing into the back of the net. Stupendo-fantabulously-fantastic strike!
