10 Best Golazos from World Football This Weekend
Another weekend, another spate of high-quality goals to rank.
Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both kept their respective match balls, The Mighty Zlatan returned to form, and Porto's Jackson Martinez showed why several Premier League sides are keeping tabs on him.
Such was the quality of this weekend's offerings that Victor Vasquez's delightful flick with the outside of his boot didn't make the cut. Neither did Cyril Thereau's lovely half-volley against Internazionale and Marc Stendera's fantastic volley against Werder Bremen.
With the honourable mentions out of the way, lets begin the rankings with a certain popular Argentinean who plies his trade in Catalunya...
10. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) vs. Espanyol
1 of 10The career-long game of one-upmanship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi continued this weekend. When the Portuguese star struck a hat-trick on Saturday, the Argentinean scored three of his own on Sunday in Barcelona's 5-1 annihilation of Espanyol in the Catalan derby.
Messi's first goal was his 400th in a Barca shirt (including friendlies, as per @Messistats) and the first instalment of his 21st La Liga hat-trick. After a pass from Xavi, the diminutive superstar picked up the ball outside the area and put the perfect amount of curl on the ball to squeeze it inside the post.
That's shot placement at its very finest.
9. Joel Veltman (Ajax) vs. Willem II
2 of 10Ajax stormed to a 5-0 win over Willem II in Amsterdam on Saturday. The third goal was a beauty, scored by centre-back Joel Veltman.
The 22-year-old charged down the right wing and played a neat one-two with Lasse Schone before finishing with a very cheeky chip.
8. Jackson Martinez (Porto) vs. Academica
3 of 10Jackson Martinez was on top form during Porto's 3-0 victory at Academica on Saturday evening, scoring twice in the first 24 minutes. The second was a wonderful strike from outside the box that will do his potential transfer value no harm.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain) vs. Nantes
4 of 10The Mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two second-half goals to sink Nantes at the Parc des Princes on Saturday afternoon.
His first was a thunderous free-kick in the 34th minute that fit perfectly through a gap in the wall and into the top left corner.
His second, fourteen minutes later, deserves credit for having a celebration incorporated into it.
6. Maor Buzaglo (Hapoel Beer Sheva) vs. Hapoel Haiva
5 of 10Here's a golazo from the Israeli top flight you probably haven't seen.
Midfielder Maor Buzaglo put Hapoel Beer Sheva ahead against Hapoel Haiva on Saturday with a tremendous 30-yard drive that tucked in under the crossbar.
5. Robert Tesche (Nottingham Forest) vs. Charlton
6 of 10Nottingham Forest went 1-0 down to Charlton at home on Saturday but earned a point in the second half through a spectacular strike from Robert Tesche.
The German midfielder picked up a clearance around 30 yards from goal and proceeded to blast it past Nick Pope in the Addicks goal.
Tesche's flip celebration was also top notch.
4. Alen Halilovic (Barcelona B) vs. Girona
7 of 10Dubbed the "Croatian Leo Messi," 18-year-old Alen Halilovic clearly has a bright future ahead of him.
The hotly tipped youngster did his reputation no harm Sunday when he scored a solo stunner for Barcelona's B team.
Picking up the ball near the halfway line in the Segunda Division match against Girona, Halilovic charged towards goal before unleashing a brilliant shot from outside the area.
3. Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes) vs. Paris Saint-Germain
8 of 10As previously noted, Zlatan was responsible for PSG's 2-1 victory over Nantes on Saturday. However, the visitors went ahead in style through Alejandro Bedoya.
The America midfielder struck an unstoppable 20-yard shot across goal in the eighth minute to silence the home crowd.
2. Julio Firch (Belgrano) vs. Independiente
9 of 10Belgrano caused an upset in the Argentinean Primera Division on Sunday by pulling off a 4-0 win against Independiente.
Julio Firch bagged a hat-trick, the second of which was quite a hit. In the 35th minute, the Argentinean struck a long-distance shot that any striker would be proud of.
1. Paulo Dybala (Palermo) vs. Torino
10 of 10Palermo earned a 2-2 draw against Torino on Saturday thanks in part to a ridiculously skilful goal from Paulo Dybala.
Shortly before the break, the Argentinean striker set himself up for a volley with a looping backheel inside the box.
One may argue that he didn't mean to set himself up in this fashion, but it is incredibly impressive all the same and worthy of top spot on this ranking for its originality.
