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I'm gonna do a few of these end of decade threads, I've decided to start with:
Goals of the decade, a thread
Goals of the decade, a thread
Rooney vs Man City (2011)
A vital goal in the title challenge, this ended up winning United the game, putting them 7 points clear at the front of the pack. They won 33/36 points in the next 12 matches and secured their 19th league title.
A vital goal in the title challenge, this ended up winning United the game, putting them 7 points clear at the front of the pack. They won 33/36 points in the next 12 matches and secured their 19th league title.
James vs Uruguay (2014)
En route to becoming the standout rising star of the 2014 WC, as well as a golden boot, James did this in the R16. Chest, turn volley, exquisite.
En route to becoming the standout rising star of the 2014 WC, as well as a golden boot, James did this in the R16. Chest, turn volley, exquisite.
Ronaldo vs Juventus (2018)
This goal pretty much forced Juventus to spend £100m on a player in his thirties - it's that good. Juve are one of the best defensive team in world football, but they couldn't stop Ronaldo becoming the first player to score in 10 straight CL games.
This goal pretty much forced Juventus to spend £100m on a player in his thirties - it's that good. Juve are one of the best defensive team in world football, but they couldn't stop Ronaldo becoming the first player to score in 10 straight CL games.
Zlatan vs England (2012)
I remember watching this live, seeing Joe Hart spoon his header and thinking, he's gonna score here. The result is that this goal will make an entirely unforgettable game for England, live long in the memory.
I remember watching this live, seeing Joe Hart spoon his header and thinking, he's gonna score here. The result is that this goal will make an entirely unforgettable game for England, live long in the memory.
Messi vs Bayern (2015)
Peak Messi, floors one of the best defenders in the world (at that time), and proceeds to lob the best keeper of the decade - but that's a conversation for another thread.
Went on to win the treble, sublime.
Peak Messi, floors one of the best defenders in the world (at that time), and proceeds to lob the best keeper of the decade - but that's a conversation for another thread.
Went on to win the treble, sublime.
Messi vs Real Madrid (2011)
Imagine turning up to the Bernabeu, facing Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, sending half the team for a hotdog and walking away with a 2-0 win.
This was the reality for Messi as he doubled Barca's lead en route to the CL final and the treble.
Imagine turning up to the Bernabeu, facing Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, sending half the team for a hotdog and walking away with a 2-0 win.
This was the reality for Messi as he doubled Barca's lead en route to the CL final and the treble.
Bale vs Liverpool (2018)
The other two goals were avoidable, this was simply unstoppable.
Gareth Bale, Madrid's forgotten man comes off the bench in a CL final and does that. Ruined One Kiss for Liverpool fans across the globe.
The other two goals were avoidable, this was simply unstoppable.
Gareth Bale, Madrid's forgotten man comes off the bench in a CL final and does that. Ruined One Kiss for Liverpool fans across the globe.
Giroud vs Crystal Palace (2017)
What a way to welcome the new year. Giroud attempts the kind of thing I'd try at the park growing up but wouldn't even make contact with. Not only did he make contact, but he scored - and it always look better off the bar, so fair play Olivier.
What a way to welcome the new year. Giroud attempts the kind of thing I'd try at the park growing up but wouldn't even make contact with. Not only did he make contact, but he scored - and it always look better off the bar, so fair play Olivier.
Messi vs Bilbao (2015)
Once again, Messi scores a goal that would be the peak of most player careers - but it's just another goal for him. What makes this goal even better is it happened in a cup final, otherworldly.
Once again, Messi scores a goal that would be the peak of most player careers - but it's just another goal for him. What makes this goal even better is it happened in a cup final, otherworldly.
Umtiti vs Spurs (2013)
I can imagine most people would have forgotten about this goal, fair enough it happened in a nothing Europa League game and Lyon got knocked out anyway. But just look at how he catches it poor Friedel had no chance.
I can imagine most people would have forgotten about this goal, fair enough it happened in a nothing Europa League game and Lyon got knocked out anyway. But just look at how he catches it poor Friedel had no chance.
Pavard vs Argentina (2018)
It just occurred to me that this is basically Umtiti's goal from the opposite side of the pitch, and on a much bigger stage.
It just occurred to me that this is basically Umtiti's goal from the opposite side of the pitch, and on a much bigger stage.
KP Boateng vs Villareal (2016)
I love everything about this goal, it's so unorthodox, the chip into the box, the flicked cross and the finish - improvisation at it's finest.
I love everything about this goal, it's so unorthodox, the chip into the box, the flicked cross and the finish - improvisation at it's finest.
Stankovic vs Schalke (2011)
Inter fans probably don't want to be reminded of this game considering they lost 5-2, but it's going on the list anyway.
If you look closely you can see Joel Matip furious with a young Manuel Neuer.
Inter fans probably don't want to be reminded of this game considering they lost 5-2, but it's going on the list anyway.
If you look closely you can see Joel Matip furious with a young Manuel Neuer.
Mexes vs Aderlecht (2012)
I think Mexes went to the Michael Essien school of finishing, where they teach players to exclusively score worldies. He's had a few over the years, but I feel this is the most deserving of the list.
I think Mexes went to the Michael Essien school of finishing, where they teach players to exclusively score worldies. He's had a few over the years, but I feel this is the most deserving of the list.
Vardy vs Liverpool (2016)
Leicester's two talismen from the title winning season combined for this peach of a goal. Caught Mignolet off his line and caught the ball perfectly.
Leicester's two talismen from the title winning season combined for this peach of a goal. Caught Mignolet off his line and caught the ball perfectly.
Neymar vs Villarreal (2015)
Back when people used to like Neymar, what a time that was. He clearly had no regard for the defenders in this clip, three touches, the ball didn't touch the floor once and one career ended.
Back when people used to like Neymar, what a time that was. He clearly had no regard for the defenders in this clip, three touches, the ball didn't touch the floor once and one career ended.
Van Persie vs Spain (2014)
Spain haven't been the same since this goal. RVP single-handedly ended Spain's monopoly over international football. To paraphrase Muhammad Ali: "float like a salmon, sting like a bee."
Spain haven't been the same since this goal. RVP single-handedly ended Spain's monopoly over international football. To paraphrase Muhammad Ali: "float like a salmon, sting like a bee."
Cahill vs Netherlands (2014)
In the words of an Australian commentator that I don't know the name of: "That's an unbelievable strike, Timmy Cahill, that is the goal of this tournament."
In the words of an Australian commentator that I don't know the name of: "That's an unbelievable strike, Timmy Cahill, that is the goal of this tournament."
Pogba vs Udinese (2013)
If you didn't see this goal from the fan's perspective all over social media, you must have lived under a rock.
Back when Paul Pogba was a youngster with the world at his feet, now he's just Graeme Souness' verbal pinata.
If you didn't see this goal from the fan's perspective all over social media, you must have lived under a rock.
Back when Paul Pogba was a youngster with the world at his feet, now he's just Graeme Souness' verbal pinata.
Shaqiri vs Poland (2016)
Says everything about Switzerland's finishing this game that it took the goal of the tournament for them to finally score. Despite creating the better opportunities they still ended up going out on pens. Still scored this banger though.
Says everything about Switzerland's finishing this game that it took the goal of the tournament for them to finally score. Despite creating the better opportunities they still ended up going out on pens. Still scored this banger though.
Carroll vs Crystal Palace (2017)
In execution, it doesn't get much better than that, shame this didn't happen in a more high-profile game otherwise it would be spoken about much more often.
In execution, it doesn't get much better than that, shame this didn't happen in a more high-profile game otherwise it would be spoken about much more often.
Hamsik vs Russia (2016)
Back before the WC was held in their country and the Russians were losing to Slovakia rather than beating Spain. Hamsik sealing the win for Slovakia with an unstoppable strike.
Back before the WC was held in their country and the Russians were losing to Slovakia rather than beating Spain. Hamsik sealing the win for Slovakia with an unstoppable strike.
Payet vs Romania (2016)
When to score your first competitive international goal:
Last minute to win the game
On home soil
In the opening game of a tournament
Doesn't get much better than that, just ask Dimitri Payet.
When to score your first competitive international goal:
Last minute to win the game
On home soil
In the opening game of a tournament
Doesn't get much better than that, just ask Dimitri Payet.
Van Bronckhorst vs Uruguay (2010)
Even better than Payet's winner above, is GVB's opener here. In a WC semi-final.
Behave Gio.
Even better than Payet's winner above, is GVB's opener here. In a WC semi-final.
Behave Gio.
Wilshere vs Norwich (2013)
Never has a goal personified Arsene Wenger’s Arenal more than this. Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud and Wilshere combining around the edge of the box before Wilshere slots it home.
Never has a goal personified Arsene Wenger’s Arenal more than this. Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud and Wilshere combining around the edge of the box before Wilshere slots it home.
Lamela vs Asteras (2014)
If you’re going to walk all over some minnows from Greece, you might as well do it with a bit of the ol’ razzle-dazzle, Lamela took that into consideration as he doubled Spurs’ lead with a rabona from outside the box.
If you’re going to walk all over some minnows from Greece, you might as well do it with a bit of the ol’ razzle-dazzle, Lamela took that into consideration as he doubled Spurs’ lead with a rabona from outside the box.
Salah vs Roma (2018)
Obviously, I had to have a Liverpool goal in here. Salah’s performance in this game was next level. Two goals, two assists in a CL final – but it took this peach to open the scoring.
Obviously, I had to have a Liverpool goal in here. Salah’s performance in this game was next level. Two goals, two assists in a CL final – but it took this peach to open the scoring.
End of thread (for now).
I've put way too much time into this. If there are any I've missed (which there deffo are), let me know and they might get added.
I've put way too much time into this. If there are any I've missed (which there deffo are), let me know and they might get added.
