Top Goals: Ranking World Football's Top 25 Scores in 2010

With just a week and a half left in 2010, it is time to compile the best goals of the last year, and what a year it was.

Punishing volleys, dizzying dribbles through defenders, laser strikes from long range and curling shots fitted around keepers all make the list.

Taken from last year's Champions League stages, this year's group stages, this summer's World Cup and a fine mixture of domestic league play, here are the 25 best goals of 2010.

Siphiwe Tshabalala

It was the goal that opened the 2010 World Cup, and Siphiwe Tshabalala will forever be known for that left-footed laser into the top corner.

Fernando Torres

This is Fernando Torres when his form is best, curling a legitimately unstoppable curler into the side netting. Liverpool fans await the return of such brilliance and sheer skill.

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben displays incredible pace, touch, awareness and a great finish, all in one majestic run. Typical Robben.

Hamit Altintop

Hamit Altintop unleashes a powerful volley from a corner kick into the top corner, leaving no chance for the opposing keeper.

Linus Hallenius

Linus Hallenius combines his chest, a clever flick on and an even better volley off the far post to record a magical goal for the Swede.

Felipe Mattioni

Current Espanyol defender Felipe Mattioni has just one goal in his career, this volleying effort for Mallorca earlier in 2010.

Clint Dempsey

It may have been during last year's Europa League competition, but Clint Dempsey's lofty strike at the net paid off with a wonder goal for the American.

Danny Rose

Tottenham's Danny Rose does not see the pitch very often, but this goal-bound volley surely belongs in England's top flight.

Diego Forlán

Uruguay captain Diego Forlán had a World Cup to remember, as the ultra-talented striker netted five goals in South Africa, including this dipping power shot against the host nation.

Juninho

Juninho puts away a gem from the MLS, this time a curling strike from long range that tails away from the keeper.

Logan Pause

Chicago's Logan Pause launches a firecracker from very deep that curls away from the keeper. America's top flight can have some of the spotlight.

Edinson Cavani

Edinson Cavani's audacious attempt (in the first minute of the video) from outside the box near the touch line kicks off Napoli's high-scoring affair with Utrecht in the Europa League.

Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf does not score many goals playing out of the midfield, but this screamer across the face of the goal surely is one of Seedorf's top scores.

Rafa Márquez

The Mexican Rafa Márquez scores his first goal for New York Red Bulls after joining the club from Barcelona, bringing his power with him.

Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo may be old, but there is no doubting the Italian's superb class and touch with the ball.

Arjen Robben (Take Two)

Robben possesses a true magic touch with his foot, especially with his left, and he only needs the smallest of space to deliver a cannon from distance.

Kumi Yokoyama

An amazing individual dribbling display plus a composed finish holds its own with the some of the great weaves in recent memory. Kumi Yokoyama does her best Lionel Messi.

Arjen Robben (Take Three)

Not only was Arjen Robben's volleying strike for a goal an incredible display, it also sent Manchester United home and moved Bayern Munich into the Champions League final.

Maicon

Some say it was an accident, but all intentions aside, Maicon's toe poke across the face of the net was one of the more magical goals at the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo

It would not be a goals of the year compilation without an appearance from Ronaldo, with this long distance free kick against Marseille in last year's Champions League. It is definitely, absolutely magnificent.

Gareth Bale

Tottenham's Gareth Bale is a highly coveted asset going into the January transfer window, and his acrobatic first-time strike against Stoke City demonstrates why.

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri is transforming into one of the more dangerous midfield scoring options in the world. This individual display of talent and footwork put Arsenal through to the quarterfinals of last year's Champions League.

Lionel Messi

What is a top goals list without Lionel Messi? His weave through these Zaragoza defenders and cool finish leaves little doubt why he is considered one of the best in the world.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

This summer's World Cup provided a handful of wonder goals. A long-ranged magic shot from the Netherlands' Giovanni van Bronckhorst was no exception.

Maicon (Take Two)

Inter Milan's form late last season culminated in a magical treble-winning season, and Maicon's spectacular juggling volley for a goal was a splendid part of it.

Late Additions

Unfortunately, the following goals were left off the list by way of accident or ignorance. Nevertheless, they deserve recognition, especially Matty Burrows' exquisite back heel flick-on over the keeper.

Matty Burrows: http://www.youtube.com/v/KzAZTdyOXcA&hl=en_US&fs=1&

Edson Buddle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zah2w0fwB5Q

Wesley Sonck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FChp0sWy6P4