10 Best Golazos from World Football This Weekend
There was no shortage of quality goals over the weekend, with efforts from England, Germany, France, Mexico, Spain and Portugal making our top 10 ranking.
Honourable mentions go to winger Mitchell Weiser for earning his first Bayern Munich goal in style, Nikica Jelavic's excellent volley against Queens Park Rangers, Francesco Totti's long-ranger against Hellas Verona, Antonio Candreva's winner for Lazio against Palermo and Zoltan Stieber's neat effort for Gladbach at Hamburg.
With the close contenders out of the way, it's time to enjoy the ranking...
10. Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain) vs. Toulouse
1 of 10Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 3-1 home victory over Toulouse.
Midfield prodigy Adrien Rabiot scored the opening two goals, the first of which was an excellent one-touch finish on the edge of the area.
The beauty of the goal, however, was also found in its buildup, which saw a wonderful passing move put together by Javier Pastore and a superb flicked assist from the mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
9. Marco Fabian (Guadalajara) vs. Cruz Azul
2 of 10Liga MX leaders Cruz Azul were shaken by a 2-1 home defeat to Guadalajara on Saturday.
With the scores level in the 83rd minute, Marco Fabian put away a free-kick worthy of winning any game. The 25-year-old managed to tuck the ball in top right corner, beating the 'keeper at his near post and making the home side wish they had put more than two players in their wall.
8. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) vs. Newcastle
3 of 10
David Silva was the star of the show in Manchester City's 5-0 demolition of Newcastle on Saturday evening, with the little Spanish magician claiming two goals and a fantastic assist for Edin Dzeko.
In the 21st minute, Silva played an inch-perfect through ball to the Bosnian, who controlled it with his chest and neatly volleyed past Tim Krul.
7. Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim) vs. Freiburg
4 of 10
Hoffenheim earned a 1-1 draw at Freiburg on Saturday thanks to a stunning equaliser from Kevin Volland.
In the 39th minute, the 22-year-old striker hit an unstoppable 25-yard half volley for his fourth league goal of the season.
6. Anaitz Arbilla (Espanyol) vs. Getafe
5 of 10Espanyol suffered a 2-1 defeat at Getafe on Friday night, but their consolation goal was an 89th-minute screamer from Anaitz Arbilla.
Picking up the ball around 25 yards from goal, the Spaniard launched an unstoppable shot into the top-left corner—not a bad finish for a defender!
5. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) vs. Southampton
6 of 10
Before Sunday, Philippe Coutinho already had a few excellent goals under his belt in this campaign. He needed only three minutes of Liverpool's 2-0 win at Southampton to add another to his highlight reel.
The in-form Brazilian kicked things off at St Mary's with a thunderbolt that rattled in off Fraser Forster's crossbar.
4. Edwin Cardona (Monterrey) vs. Queretaro
7 of 10Edwin Cardona made an 89th-minute substitute appearance for Monterrey in the Liga MX tie with Queretaro on Saturday, with the scores level at 1-1.
Within a few seconds of being on the field, the 22-year-old midfielder picked up the ball on the left flank, dribbled towards the centre and unleashed a ferocious shot into the top corner.
As far as cameo appearances go, this was a strong one.
3. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) vs. Atalanta
8 of 10Juventus went a goal down to relegation-troubled Atalanta in Turin on Friday evening but bounced back to secure a 2-1 lead that put them 10 points clear at the top of Serie A.
The winner just before half-time by Andrea Pirlo, who lived up to his reputation for stunning goals, was an absurdly good 30-yard drive.
2. Oliver Rathbone (Manchester Utd U18s) vs. Derby County
9 of 10Oliver Rathbone is a name to look out for in the future.
During the Manchester United U18s' visit to Derby on Saturday, the young midfielder hit a glorious volley that proved to be a 90th-minute winner.
This will certainly put a smile on the faces of Manchester United fans, who may be needing a boost after the senior side's loss at Swansea.
1. Nani (Sporting) vs. Gil Vicente
10 of 10
In January, Nani scored his first league goal for Sporting since returning from Manchester United on loan against Gil Vicente.
On Sunday night, the Portuguese winger managed another landmark against Gil Vicente, scoring one of the finest goals of his career.
After controlling a throw-in with his head, the 28-year-old launched a sensational volley to give Sporting a 2-0 lead.
