10 Best Golazos from World Football This Weekend
On a weekend where Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the season for the fifth consecutive year and Lionel Messi bagged his 400th Barcelona goal, neither superstar scored a golazo. However, world football provided us with plenty of stunning strikes that would have been befitting of either player.
Honourable mentions this week go to Celtic's Virgil van Dijk for his wonderful free-kick, Sebastian Rode for his curling effort through traffic against Hoffenheim, Leroy Sane's solo run against Wolfsburg and Manolo Gabbiadini's lovely finish against Cagliari.
With the also-rans taken care of, here are the 10 best goals of the weekend...
10. Tony Watt (Charlton) vs. Leeds
1 of 10[Skip to 0.28 to see the goal]
Tony Watt has scored a few special goals in his time at The Valley, and the Scottish striker added another to his highlight reel during Charlton's 2-1 win over Leeds.
In the 75th minute, Watt connected perfectly with a Johann Gudmundsson cross to volley into the bottom right corner.
9. Reece James (Huddersfield) vs. Derby
2 of 10[Skip to 0.20 to see the goal]
Everybody loves an Olimpico.
Deep in first-half injury time of Huddersfield's action-packed 4-4 draw with Derby on Saturday, James Reece managed to score directly from a corner.
Our friends at 101GG note that it was the Manchester United loanee's first professional goal—not a bad way to open his account.
8. Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven) vs. Heerenveen
3 of 10PSV Eindhoven put their name on their 22nd Eredivisie title on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Heerenveen.
The best of the goals was scored by the man with the best name in football, Memphis Depay, in the 23rd minute.
The precocious 21-year-old showed one of the reasons why he is a Manchester United target with an absolute rocket of a free-kick.
7. Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) vs. Colorado Rapids
4 of 10Obafemi Martins scored his fourth MLS goal in five appearances on Saturday in Seattle's 3-1 win at Colorado.
The former Newcastle striker controlled a long ball from teammate Andy Rose with an incredible touch before neatly tucking the ball past Rapids keeper Clint Irwin.
6. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid) vs. Malaga
5 of 10Real Madrid's tie with Malaga resulted in disappointing injuries for Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, but Los Blancos fans did get a 3-1 victory and yet another beautiful goal from James.
In the 69th minute, the Colombian drove toward goal and played a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot.
5. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) vs. Deportivo La Coruna
6 of 10Atletico Madrid warmed up for their crucial Champions League tie against their aforementioned city neighbours Real with a 2-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
Antoine Griezmann took care of the points with a brace, the first of which was a perfectly executed bicycle kick after just five minutes of play.
4. Nicklas Pedersen (Gent) vs. Standard Liege
7 of 10Gent are leading the Championship playoff stage of the Belgian Pro League after a 3-1 win at Standard Liege on Friday evening.
Danish striker Nicklas Pedersen stole the show with two goals, the first of which was a stunning drive from distance.
The 27-year-old controlled the ball with his chest and proceeded to blast an unstoppable out-swinging drive into the top-right corner.
3. Sergio Pena (Indy Eleven) vs. San Antonio Scorpions
8 of 10There are few better ways to win a match than a last-gasp golazo.
Sergio Pena of American NASL (second tier) side Indy Eleven knows the feeling after his 89th-minute long-ranger that gave his side a 2-1 win over the San Antonio Scorpions.
2. Steven Ribery (Bayern Munich II) vs. Garching
9 of 10Steven Ribery joined his older brother Franck at Bayern Munich this year after failing to earn a contract at Lens.
The 19-year-old showed that world-class skill clearly runs in the family with a sensational volley for Bayern Munich's reserves on Friday night.
1. Lee Beattie (Prestatyn Town) vs. Bangor City
10 of 10The Welsh Premier League doesn't often trouble the B/R golazo rankings, but Prestatyn Town provided the best strike of the weekend during their 3-1 loss to Bangor City on Sunday.
In the 83rd minute, midfielder Lee Beattie scored an incredible consolation when the ball fell to him at the edge of the box. Take a bow, son.
