Best World Football Moments of the Weekend

South America figures heavily in this installment of the Best World Football Moments of the Weekend.

We’ve selected a trio of goals from the CONMEBOL region, and for the first time, a goalkeeper cracks our top five as well.

Naturally, you’ll have been impressed with some other performances from the past few days, and you’re welcome to describe them in the forum below.

Once again, what we’re concerned with in this space are moments of magic—whether offensive or defensive—from any match, anywhere in the world.

No region is out of bounds. That’s the beautiful thing about football—it is everywhere, all the time with us.

Lucas Silva, Cruzeiro

With Botafogo drawing Sao Paulo on Sunday, Cruzeiro moved two points clear atop the Brasileiro standings after beating 11th-place Vasco da Gama in Porto Alegre.

Twenty-year-old midfielder Lucas Silva scored twice in the 5-3 win—both tallies coming from nearly the same spot nearly 30 yards from goal.

Willian, Julio Baptista and Vinicius also found the back of the net for the hosts, while Willie, who bagged a brace, and Andre Felipe answered in a losing effort for Vasco.

Erick Torres, Chivas USA

It’s been a long season (again) for Chivas USA, although Erick Torres—signed on loan from Chivas Guadalajara—has provided a rare bright spot with six goals in seven matches since joining The Goats during the summer.

On Sunday, the 20-year-old scored both goals in a 2-2 draw away to the Vancouver Whitecaps—finding the back of the net twice in the opening 15 minutes and opening the scoring with a spectacular bicycle kick just three minutes in.

Naturally, Chivas allowed Vancouver back into the contest through a Gershon Koffie goal just after the hour mark, and Tom Heinemann equalized in the final minute of normal time.

Alexandre Pato, Corinthians

Facing increasing pressure for poor form and questionable fitness this season, Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato answered his critics with a brace against Flamengo that included this exceptionally-worked goal to open the scoring in the 24th minute.

Following an eye-of-the-needle ball from teammate Romarinho, who had scampered into the area to the goalkeeper’s right, Pato was on hand to receive the pass and bundle the ball into the back of the net, after which he proceeded to kiss his badge in an emotional celebration.

Pato has now scored 15 goals in all competitions for Corinthians this season, including seven in the Brasileirao.

Leandro Desabato, Estudiantes

A Saturday draw kept Estudiantes within two points of hosts Newell’s Old Boys and the top of Argentina’s Torneo Inicial, and the result couldn’t have come in more dramatic circumstances.

The equalizer, which answered Pablo Perez’ 53rd-minute opener, came in the final minute of normal time and was scored by Leandro Desabato, although Patricio Rodriguez did the legwork that earned this goal a place on our list.

Torturing the opposition right-back, Rodriguez dummied inside and out, this way and that, before releasing an inch-perfect cross that Desabato headed into the back of the net to finalize a 1-1 draw in Rosario.

Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester City

No doubt Leicester fans will want to forget Saturday’s 2-1 loss away to Charlton Athletic as quickly as possible. After all, it was Addicks pair Michael Morrison and Yann Kermorgant that scored for the hosts against their former club, which was reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute.

But Kasper Schmeichel at least kept his side in the contest until the bitter end, making several highlight-reel saves, including these two in quick succession against Kermorgant and Simon Church.

The Foxes are presently fifth in The Championship after five rounds, while Charlton, with the win, moved out of the relegation zone and into 18th spot.