Cristiano Ronaldo and Four of the Craziest Flick-Goals Ever Seen

It's difficult for me to praise Cristiano Ronaldo, with his excessive sense of self-worth and former allegiance to Manchester United.

But I have to admit that his back-heeled goal Saturday for Real Madrid against Malaga was one of the most ingenious finishes I've seen.

While he has certainly improved his all-around game in recent seasons—he already has five assists to go with his 10 La Liga goals through just eight matches in 2011-12—the man is a natural-born goal scorer. That's what he will always do best.

And this finish against Malaga was just that. Instinct, and a well-devised flick that left keeper Ruben helpless.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Malaga

The dance with Marcelo capped off what was an altogether rollicking day for Cristiano Ronaldo—a hat trick against Malaga in which he waltzed his way around Spain's "newest" nouveau-riche club.

The final flick was the piece de resistance on a night in which Ronaldo was at his unstoppable self, giving the Malaga defense fits.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. Bologna

The industry down the left flank by erstwhile Inter star Adriano cannot be discounted, but the finish by Ibrahimovic was always going to earn the lion's share of plaudits.

It was a moment of divine inspiration from the oft-maligned Swedish striker, who simply has not been able to stop winning league titles during his career.

Say what you will about the man and his ability to turn up in the games that matter most, but he's got quite an illustrious curriculum vitae, filled with instances where the languid hit man has made the spectacular look surprisingly easy—like against Bologna.

Homare Sawa vs. U.S. Women's National Team

Japan simply didn't know how to quit in this incredibly taut World Cup final, coming back from one-goal deficits twice during 120 minutes of play before finally winning the game in penalty kicks.

It was this goal from Sawa that brought what had been a 2-1 U.S. lead in overtime back on level terms, dampening American hopes and perhaps foreshadowing what was to unravel in the extra period.

This team called upon reserves of strength and fortitude requisite of champions, and deserved their winner's medal.

Gianfranco Zola vs. Norwich City

"Instinctive, and absolutely brilliant."

There are no better words to describe this finish of top quality from the little Chelsea man. Gianfranco Zola scored 59 goals during his seven seasons with the London club and baffled Premier League defenses on a weekly basis.

The angle was tighter than leotard, but it mattered little when you've got that innate sense of timing Zola possesses. In one sweeping motion, he sent the ball past a baffled keeper and into the net.

Ibrahimovic (again) vs. Italy

Down 1-0 in the dying embers of their second Euro 2004 group stage match against Italy, Sweden had reached the point where a miracle was needed to unlock a steely Italian side coached a man with a master's sense of defense, Giovanni Trappatoni.

Enter Zlatan, the man with the sorcerer-esque name who provided the stroke of magic his side needed.

In a story run by the New York Times about the match, Ibrahimovic would label this goal "lucky", but that was shortchanging his uncanny effort.

The man who once baffled an entire Eredivisie side in his iconic one-man goal for Ajax pulled a bit of quality out of his endless reserve of ingenuity and provided a finish worthy of such a prestigious tournament.