World Football's 25 Most Astonishing Goals of 2011

If you like astonishing goals, 2011 was a good year for you.

In addition to all the regular leagues and tournaments across Europe, South America and the rest of the world, the women also held their World Cup.

And the ladies definitely scored some beautiful goals when they had the spotlight.

The following is a list of the 25 most astonishing goals of 2011. If you think one got left out, let us know in the comments.

25. Abby Wambach, USA vs. Brazil

This wasn't a technically astounding goal. But it makes the list for being both incredibly clutch and incredibly important to the United States women's team.

Trailing Brazil late in stoppage time, in extra time, of the World Cup quarterfinals, the US needed a goal and needed one fast. Wambach popped up at the back post and powered her header into the net two minutes into stoppage time.

The US went on to win on penalties and finished second.

24. Thierry Henry, Red Bulls vs. Toronto

Yep, Thierry Henry still has it.

This one came in an MLS game against Toronto. Enjoy.

23. Mesut Özil, Germany vs. Belgium

Mesut Özil is usually the guy who sets up goals.

This one, though, was all him. It was an unstoppable first-time strike into the top corner from just outside the box.

Smokin'.

22. Iñigo Martinez, Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao

If you're having trouble spotting Martinez, look at the left side of the center circle. That's him, scoring from his own half.

Strangely enough, this isn't the only time Iñigo Martinez, a defender, has scored from his own half.

This one happened in October. A month later, he did it again against Real Betis.

And all this comes from a guy who's also renowned for beautiful own goals.

21. Dejan Stankovic, Inter vs. Schalke

This goal, from last season's Champions League, has received a lot of attention, including a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award.

It's awesome, but let's be real here: It didn't require an unbelievable amount of skill. It was more opportunistic than anything.

Still, it was pretty amazing.

20. Erika, Brazil vs. Equatorial Guinea

The Women's World Cup brings us another great goal, this time from Brazil's Erika, whose nice pullback and sweet shot easily beat the Equatorial Guinea keeper.

Honestly, though, the goalie didn’t really look as interested in saving the shot so much as looking cool while diving for it.

She did look pretty cool, though.

19. David Villa, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Like most David Villa goals, this one against Real Madrid doesn't require much commentary.

Just sit back and enjoy watching one of the smoothest operators on the planet doing his thing.

18. Marta, Brazil vs. Norway

Nice push.

Nicer goal.

17. Lionel Messi, Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

El Clasico brings out the best in both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

For proof, watch this outstanding dribble and goal from the best player in the world, Barcelona's Argentine wizard, Lionel Messi.

This one gets extra points because Messi managed to unlock a tough Real Madrid defense and beat Iker Casillas.

16. Heather O'Reilly, USA vs. Colombia

How about that lineswoman, eh?

Anyway, Heather O'Reilly can't seem to believe she scored this bomb of a goal.

But she did, and it was quite a beauty.

15. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan vs. Lecce

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is kinda like the Terrell Owens of European soccer. He's a terrible teammate, but he's a heck of a player.

And like TO, he can do amazing things that make you scratch your head.

Kinda like this goal, a sweet volley with a defender hanging all over him.

The dumbfounded look of the old man in the crowd says it all. Geez.

14. Xherdan Shaqiri

The new Shaq, FC Basel's Xherdan Shaqiri, gave us this goal in 2011.

That'll make you forget about the old Shaq real quick.

13. Julio Gomez, Mexico vs. Germany

This is the first of several bicycle kicks we have planned for this countdown.

This one doesn't quite match up—Gomez doesn't hit the ball as sweetly or as accurately as the others you''ll see—but to fully appreciate it, you have to keep a few things in mind.

This came in the 90th minute of the semifinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Gomez was 16 when it happened.

And Mexico went on to win the tournament.

12. Ivan Perisic, Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal

This goal, from both teams' Champions League opener this season, was the talk of Europe when it happened.

You can see why.

That's textbook technique. But they don't teach that kind of goal anywhere.

11. Julio Baptista, Malaga vs. Getafe

Here's another amazing bicycle kick goal.

In this one, Baptista made better contact than Wayne Rooney's comparable goal against Manchester City (more on that later), but he didn't get the ball as far into the corner as Rooney did.

Still, this one is hard to believe.

10. Benjamin De Ceulaer, Lokeren vs. Club Brugge

Rarely will you see a player control the ball better than Benjamin De Ceulaer did in this goal for Lokeren against Club Brugge.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal vs. Denmark

Denmark had Portugal's number in Euro 2012 qualifying, but the Danes couldn't always stop Cristiano Ronaldo.

Few can.

Take this free kick. The goalie has his side of the goal covered, but Cristiano still beats him.

How did he do that?

8. Marie Hammarström, Sweden vs. France

Click here to watch.

That's Sweden's Marie Hammarström scoring the best goal of the 2011 Women's World Cup against France in the third-place match.

Nicely done, Marie.

7. Lionel Messi, Barcelona vs. Arsenal

Messi often draws comparisons to the all-time great footballers.

This one brings to mind Pele's goal from the 1958 World Cup final.

Maybe that's where Messi got the idea.

Others would simply try to shoot over or around the keeper. Only the legends know when to use that extra touch to create something truly special.

6. Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Dirk Kuyt gets the credit, but Luis Suarez did all the work.

And it was some brilliant work, too.

5. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United vs. Manchester City

This is probably the best-known bicycle kick goal of 2011.

It wasn't the most astounding, though.

4. Giovani Dos Santos, Mexico vs. USA

Sometimes, genius comes via improvisation.

Tim Howard had this breakaway covered in the 2011 Gold Cup final between Mexico and the US.

So what did Dos Santos do?

He improvised.

The future is clearly bright for Mexico. Gio isn't even their best forward.

3. Lisandro Lopez, Arsenal De Sarandi vs. Olimpo

This bicycle kick was better than Baptista's, more astounding than Rooney's.

It might not have come in as prestigious a league, but it was better.

Perfect contact. Perfect timing. Perfect placement.

Unstoppable.

2. Eren Derdiyok, Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Wolfsburg

And yet, Lopez's goal wasn't the best bicycle kick of the year.

This was.

Check out how Derdiyok controls the long pass, sets himself up for a shot and fires gloriously past the goalkeeper.

Wow.

How did this not make the FIFA Puskas Award shortlist?

1. Neymar, Santos vs. Flamengo

Here's the most astounding goal of the year.

It starts in the midfield, where Neymar works a one-two with a teammate and shows off a few moves.

Then the young Brazilian star beats three more defenders with an outrageous dribble into the box.

Then he still manages to beat the keeper.

Just wait till he moves to Europe. We're giddy with excitement.