10 Best Golazos from World Football for Weekend of August 30-31
The third weekend of the Premier League produced an average of 3.2 goals per game—a tally raised by Chelsea and Everton's nine-goal thriller at Goodison Park. Four of those 32 goals were special enough to make our weekend golazo roundup, where they are joined by bobby-dazzlers from the Netherlands, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the USA.
We kick off this week with a very special effort at Eastlands, which made a topless Stoke fan very happy.
Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) vs. Manchester City
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In their 12 previous Premier League visits to Manchester, Stoke had never earned a point (per the BBC). On Saturday, however, they registered a shocking 1-0 win over reigning champions Manchester City.
The only goal of the game came in the 58th minute, when Senagalese striker Mame Biram Diouf made a stunning 70-yard run that he completed by nutmegging City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Wayne Routledge (Swansea) vs. West Brom
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Swansea head into the international break having earned their best start to a season since 1923 (per The Guardian). Their 100 per cent record was maintained in a 3-0 win over West Brom at the Liberty Stadium thanks to a brace from Nathan Dyer and an incredible half-volley from Wayne Routledge.
Latching onto a poor defensive clearance on the edge of the box, Routledge showed perfect balance and technique to beat Ben Foster with a first-time strike that will surely be a Goal of the Month contender.
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) vs. Tottenham
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Liverpool recovered from their drubbing at Manchester City last week with a rousing 3-0 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The game was put out of Spurs' reach on the hour mark, when Alberto Moreno dispossessed Andros Townsend in his own half and proceeded to dart down the left flank. Nobody could catch the Spanish left-back, who broke into the box and beat Hugo Lloris at his far post.
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) vs. Everton
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The award for the most bonkers Premier League Game in recent memory goes to Everton vs. Chelsea, which finished 6-3 to the visitors.
During a period in which five goals were scored in 10 minutes (per the BBC), Nemanja Matic scored the best of the lot.
In the 74th minute, the Serbian midfielder made space on the edge of the area before striking into the bottom-right corner of the net, via a slight deflection from Sylvain Distin's shin.
Juan Arango (Tijuana) vs. Leones Negros
5 of 10The best goal from Mexico's Liga MX this weekend was struck by Tijuana's Juan Arango during their home tie with Leones Negros.
In the 23rd minute, the Venezuelan midfielder picked up a defensive header and struck the ball beautifully from around 35 yards. The powerful shot beat the 'keeper and somehow managed to hit the underside of the bar twice before going in.
Eder (Braga) vs. Estoril
6 of 10Wayne Routledge may have scored a sublime acrobatic volley this weekend, but there may have been an even more impressive one in the Portuguese top flight.
Portugal national team striker Eder scored the winner in Braga's 2-1 victory over Estoril on Saturday with a stunning chest control and volley combination.
This GIF from 101GG provides a better view of the action.
Cameron Lancaster (Stevenage) vs. AFC Wimbledon
7 of 10[Clip does not contain goal footage]
Stevenage made a trip to Kingsmeadow on Saturday for their League Two bout with AFC Wimbledon. The visitors came away 3-2 victors, thanks in part to an implausibly good strike from Cameron Lancaster.
From near the touchline around 35 yards out, Lancaster turned toward goal and sent a looping shot over goalkeeper James Shea.
After the game, Lancaster claimed he meant to shoot (see clip above), but his manager Graham Westley told the BBC that it was "a well delivered ball towards the back post that happened to go in."
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) vs. Real Sociedad
8 of 10Despite holding 2 -0 lead at Real Sociedad, Real Madrid slumped to a shocking 4-2 defeat on Sunday evening.
Los Blancos can seek a quantum of solace from a superb goal from Gareth Bale. After picking up a square ball on the edge of the box from Luka Modric, the Welshman cheekily nutmegged a Sociedad defender before placing the ball into the net.
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) vs. Colorado Rapids
9 of 10Seattle Sounders earned a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, courtesy of a golazo from former Fulham star Clint Dempsey.
In the 52nd minute, Deuce met a corner with a fantastic volley into the top corner.
Granted, the Colorado defence gave him acres of space, but it's still an impressive finish.
Jeff Stans (Excelsior) vs. Heracles
10 of 10[Clip does not contain goal footage]
Not only do Excelsior have one of the greatest names in European football, but the Eredivisie side boasted one of the greatest goals of the weekend too.
Excelsior beat Heracles 3-1 on Saturday evening, with their second goal coming from Jeff Stans.
The Dutch midfielder brought down a long ball from on the edge of the area with a single touch and proceeded to half-volley it into the top corner.
Superb tekkers from the 24-year-old.
