Best Golazos from World Football This Weekend
As the world's top players returned from the international break to resume domestic duties over the weekend, the standard of golazos was exceptionally high.
Such is the quality of our ranking that there's no room for brilliant free kicks by Edinson Cavani and Neymar, Mohammed Abu's wonderful hit in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, Carles Gil's beauty for Aston Villa and Fredy Guarin's solo effort in the Milan derby.
With the honourable mentions taken care of, let's get to the main event...
10. Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta) vs. Sassuolo
1 of 10Mauricio Pinilla scored both of Atalanta's goals during their draw with Sassuolo on Sunday.
The best of the Chilean's brace was his first: A delightful overhead kick in the 15th minute.
9. Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) vs. Everton
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Chelsea suffered yet another miserable Premier League outing over the weekend, but they may have drawn a quantum of solace from their consolation goal.
In the 36th minute, the Serbian midfielder launched a speculative screamer past Tim Howard in the Everton net.
8. Oliver Norwood (Reading) vs. Ipswich
3 of 10Reading comprehensively dealt with Championship rivals Ipswich on Friday night by dishing out a 5-1 drubbing.
The Royals' finest striker was their last, a 30-yard rocket from Oliver Norwood with three minutes on the clock.
7. Fabian Lustenberger (Hertha Berlin) vs. Stuttgart
4 of 10Hertha Berlin kept Stuttgart winless after four games with a 2-1 win at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
The winning goal was a stunning volley from Fabian Lustenberger—a cracking finish for a defender!
6. Talisca (Benfica) vs. Belenenses
5 of 10Benfica needed only 60 minutes to go 5-0 up over Lisbon rivals Belenenses on Friday night.
They added a sixth to the tally when Talisca hit a beautiful 30-yarder.
5. Jaroslaw Fojut (Pogon Szczecin) vs. Piast Gliwice
6 of 10Polish Ekstraklasa leaders Piast Gliwice were defeated 3-1 by second-place Pogon Szczecin on Sunday—and the final goal must have been a bitter pill to swallow.
In the 82nd minute, Jaroslaw Fojut put the result beyond doubt when he took a very quick free kick from inside the centre circle, catching the unsuspecting keeper off his line.
4. Christian Benteke (Liverpool) vs. Manchester United
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Manchester United's teenage debutant Anthony Martial scored a fantastic goal that stole all the headlines during his side's 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
However, the goal at Old Trafford that earns a spot on a ranking that celebrates the ostentatious and the sublime is Christian Benteke's incredible overhead kick consolation that David de Gea picked out of the net in the 84th minute.
3. Paulinho (Flamengo) vs. Chapecoense
8 of 10Flamengo's 3-1 win at Chapecoense on Sunday was kicked off in style by Paulinho (no, not that one).
In the 11th minute, the 27-year-old striker was completely unmarked in the area when a cross came in, and he took the opportunity to hit one of the sweetest volleys you are ever likely to see.
2. Ciaran Kilduff (Dundalk) vs. Sligo Rovers
9 of 10Irish eyes were smiling on Dundalk striker Ciaran Kilduff on Friday night, as he scored a potential Puskas Award contender during his side's FAI Cup win over Sligo Rovers.
The 26-year-old Irishman met a free kick with a sublime backheel—Zlatan, are you watching?
1. Raido Roman (Tulevik) vs. Tammeka
10 of 10This. Goal. Is. Bananas.
Our friends at 101GG unearthed a stunner from the Estonian top-flight match between Tulevik and Tammeka on Friday evening.
The game was tied at 2-2 in the 71st minute when Tulevik's Raido Roman received the ball on the corner of the area, controlled it on his chest and sent a superb volley over the keeper.
What a way to win a game!
