Ranking World Football's 20 Best Goals in October

Football brought us quite a show in October.

Players from all over the world gave their best to help their teams to glory and gave their fans some unforgettable moments.

From World Cup qualifiers to local league games, last month we had the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular goals. Here are the 20 best.

20. Pajtim Kasami, Crystal Palace vs. Fulham

Pajtim Kasami showed his superb ball control against Crystal Palace; he also helped Fulham to secure the biggest away win of the season.

The Cottagers defeated the Eagles, 1-4, and it was Kasami who opened what was going to be a festival of goals.

A perfect reception with the chest allowed him to leave Adrian Mariappa behind and shoot inside the box.

19. Paddy McCourt, Barnsley vs. Middlesbrough

Paddy McCourt hid the ball like few. The Northern Irish footballer scored the opener for Barnsley in the 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough.

This was McCourt’s first goal in six appearances, and it was a beauty. He left six players behind before putting the ball in the back of the net.

It seemed as if the box was not even guarded.

18. Tim Cahill, Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls

Score the fastest goal in MLS history. Challenge accepted. Tim Cahill surprised Tally Hall in the eighth second of the match.

Dax McCarty sent a long pass to the Australian who resorted to a self-pass, let the ball bounce once and sent a powerful shot to the back of the net.

The New York Red Bulls will face Houston Dynamo again, this time in the two-leg playoff of the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals.

17. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool vs. West Bromwich

Daniel Sturridge continued his scoring streak with a fantastic lob goal against West Bromwich.

Sturridge has found the back of the net in eight of his nine appearances in the Premier League, and in one of his two games of the Capital One Cup.

The England international is a beast, both physically and technically. He currently leads the Premier League top scorers table with eight goals to his count.

16. Jens Hegeler, Leverkusen vs. Real Sociedad

Just when Real Sociedad was about to get their first point in the UEFA Champions League, Jens Hegeler put the ball in the corner of the goal in the injury time.

This is the only goal Hegeler has scored this season for Bayer Leverkusen, but it was certainly worth it.

15. Pedro Leon, Getafe vs. Real Betis

Pedro Leon has an enviable long-distance shot and first-class technique. He is Getafe’s most valuable asset in set pieces.

Leon scored a brace against Betis before he left the pitch in the 34th minute due to an injury.

He has three goals to his count so far and is helping his team to secure a place in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.

14. Rafael Van Der Vaart, Hamburg vs. Nurnberg

Kung Fu moves are not exclusive of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Rafael van der Vaart also knows how to pull a few.

The Dutch midfielder came from behind to surprise Nurnberg with a scissors-kick goal.

It was van der Vaart’s third goal in eight matchdays. He has scored two more, plus he sits second in the Bundesliga assists table with five.

13. Jack Wilshere, Arsenal vs. Norwich

Jack Wilshere weaved a play that ended with the ball inside the goal after seven touches.

Wilshere’s creativity and vision were well rewarded, as he was the one who put the ball away.

The teamwork is absolutely flawless.

12. Willian Borges, Chelsea vs. Norwich

Willian Borges sent a rebound to the corner of the goal with ease.

The shot is very powerful for two reasons, Willian’s technique is impeccable and he comes running from behind with great speed.

The 25-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better first goal with Chelsea.

11. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire

Thierry Henry still has the touch, technique and power to marvel everybody.

In a counter-attack by the New York Red Bulls, the French chested the ball and sent it straight to the crossbar, and it ultimately ended in the back of the net.

This performance is the proof that experience can surpass age any given day.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid vs. Copenhagen

Teamwork was the key ingredient of this goal. Karim Benzema received the ball in the box but realized that Angel Di Maria was running behind him, and he played a backheel pass.

The Argentina international assisted Cristiano Ronaldo with a superb rabona that the Portuguese netted with a powerful header.

Real Madrid secured their second victory in this year's UEFA Champions League against Copenhagen.

9. Edinson Cavani, PSG vs. Bastia

Edison Cavani dribbled twice inside the box, took Mickael Landreau out and netted his sixth goal with PSG in style.

Cavani came in for Ibrahimovic in the second half of the match in which he also netted a penalty kick.

8. Camilo Sanvezzo, Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers

Last season, Camilo Sanvezzo received the MLS Golden Boot after scoring 22 times in 32 games. In the current campaign, he has proved it was no coincidence.

The Brazilian tied the game against the Portland Timbers twice. His second goal was a scissor-kick volley that must be considered as one of the best of the year.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG vs. Anderlecht

Someone said goal-scoring knack? Well, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could very well be the definition of it.

He starts the play with a pass to Maxwell, who automatically sends a cross but Anderlecht's defense rejects the ball.

The danger was not over. Ibrahimovic realized that he could win it and take his chances from outside the box. The result is superb.

6. Tobias Hysen, Sweden vs. Germany

Tobias Hysen shows us how a set piece should be executed.

The German defense couldn’t make the offside trap work, and the Swedish forward capitalized the error with a sweet volley.

Props to Sebastian Larsson for a fantastic pass.

5. Rene Steer, St Neots vs. Canvey Islands

And this is how you should kick the ball.

Rene Steer took a chance from 40 feet and notched up this beauty in a FA Cup match between St Neots and Canvey Islands.

Steer’s goal gave hope to his side, because they had been down in the scoring since the 56th minute.

Despite it all, St Neots lost in the injury time as Spencer Bellotti scored his second of the night.

4. Stephanie Roche, Peamount United vs. Wexford Youths Womens

There is a lady on this list, and she couldn’t deserve it more. Stephanie Roche received the ball and never let it touch the ground again.

Roche’s second goal of the season is an absolute brilliance.

3. Alexis Sanchez, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Who should start? Alexis Sanchez, Pedro or Cristian Tello? This issue has been constantly debated over the past year.

All of them have proved to be in shape and willing to give their best, but what Sanchez did in El Clasico is just impressive.

He realized that it would be very difficult to step into the box and instead he chipped the ball to defeat Diego Lopez.

Barcelona defeated Real Madrid, 2-0. Neymar scored the opener and also assisted Sanchez.

2. Raul Jimenez, Mexico vs. Panama

Mexico were on the verge of elimination when 22-year-old Raul Jimenez scored a bicycle kick just three minutes after Victor Manuel Vucetich had sent him to the pitch.

Jimenez’s goal will be remembered for generations not only for the execution but also for the crucial moment in which he scored.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG vs. Bastia

There is no stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Sweden international scored a brace against Bastia in Matchday 10 of the Ligue 1.

After just 10 minutes, Lucas Moura sent a cross that Ibrahimovic managed to put away with a backheel.

It seemed more like a martial arts move than a football shot, but either way, it was spectacular.

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