Top 10 Goals of FIFA World Cup 2022

These are the most memorable goals from the quadrennial tournament this year.

The quadrennial mega event is about to bring the curtains down on 18th December as we are about to witness a historic clash between Argentina and France for the elusive trophy at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, 18th December, 8:30 PM IST.

The most exciting part of any football match is the goals. It's primarily what spectators pay to see and an integral part of what makes football so appealing. Scoring more goals than your opponents is what is known in sports philosophy circles as a lusory goal. In other words, the aim of the game.

Throughout the last month, we have witnessed some historic moments. From gargantuan teams bowing out to the underdogs, from jubilation to despair, from heartbreak to ecstasy, it has been a topsy-turvy ride for every footballing fan around the world. But isn’t it fair enough to have a look at some of the strikes that have made us smile? Let’s have a look at the top 10 goals of FIFA World Cup 2022 so far:

10. Al-Dawsari’s second Goal against Argentina (FT. Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia, Group C)

Saudi Arabia scored one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history with their 2-1 win over Argentina, considered by many to be a tournament favourite. The script was flipped when Al-Dawsari found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to give his side the lead and with it came plenty of emotion and excitement. It was as exhilarating as anyone believed it ever could have been. The loss snapped a 35-game unbeaten run dating all the way back to 2019 for the Albiceleste, while it was the first time since 1958 that Argentina had lost a World Cup match after scoring the first goal.

9. Richarlison’s second goal against South Korea (FT. Brazil 4-1 South Korea, Round of 16)

Blowing away South Korea, Brazil killed the game off in the first half. A brilliant team goal by Brazil saw Richarlison starting the attack himself, by keeping the ball under pressure and Thiago Silva threading an extravagant pass to split the Korean defence open. Richarlison timed his run well to get the ball and put it inside the net finishing off a sumptuous move and predominantly showing the class of the Joga Bonito in the grandest stage.

8. Marcus Rashford’s freekick against Wales (FT. England 3-0 Wales, Group B)

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford scored the first direct free-kick goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He opened the scoring for England from about 25 yards out which led to them topping Group C and knocking Wales out of the tournament. Rashford couldn’t have placed the freekick any better on the top left corner as Danny Ward stood no chance. He devoted this goal to his friend immediately after scoring who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

7. Paik Seung-Ho’s goal against Brazil (FT. Brazil 4-1 South Korea, Round of 16)

Though it was a consolation for the Koreans in the end, it was a goal to remember for the ages.  With Brazil having been in cruise control throughout the entirety of the second half, naturally, South Korea had chances to move up the pitch in search of a consolation having found themselves 4-0 down at half-time. Paik ensured they got that after 76 minutes, rattling home a stunning strike on the bounce from the edge of the box.

6. Luis Chavez’s freekick against Saudi Arabia (FT. Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico, Group C)

The Mexicans looked dead and buried and were bowing out of the tournament as they had to score and hope Poland concede more against Argentina in their final group fixtures respectively if they had to qualify for the Round of 16 by the barest of margins. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to make it to the knockouts, but what a strike it was by Chavez to keep the hopes of the Mexicans alive at that moment! Luis Chavez's bullet free-kick was the most powerfully struck goal of the World Cup group stage at a speed of 75 mph and is considered by many to be one of the goals of the tournament.

5. Mbappe’s stunner against Poland (FT. France 3-1 Poland, Round of 16)

Another brilliant finish by “Donatella” saw the young prodigy become the first player in history to score 8 goals before his 24th birthday after this goal. Quite a feat in itself! He dribbled his way past the veteran Kamil Glik to cut in and find the top-right corner with a curling shot. Szczesny got his hand at it but could not keep it out as France had a relatively easy night against Poland.

4. Neymar’s goal against Croatia (FT. Croatia 1 (4) – 1 (2) Brazil, Quarter Final)

Neymar’s brilliance came in vain as Brazil were thrashed out by the Kockasti after a heartbreaking loss in the tiebreaker. He broke the deadlock in the 106th minute of extra time after 90 minutes as The PSG star’s stunning individual strike equalled Pele’s all-time record of 77 international goals and put Brazil on the brink of a semi-final tie against Argentina. He scored his goal with a right-footed shot after getting through the defence and dribbling past the Croatia goalkeeper, Dominic Livakovic who has been the goalkeeper of the tournament according to many.

3. Messi’s wonder strike against Mexico (FT. Argentina 2-0 Mexico, Group C)

The game was evenly poised until the man of the tournament stepped in to awe the spectators once again. Argentina was on the edge of the knife as they had to break the deadlock in order to progress to the knockouts. Then stepped up Lionel Messi as usual! He took a touch from Angel Di Maria's pass across the face of the area and drove a low shot from 25 meters (yards) into the bottom corner in the 64th minute to beat the ever-reliant Guillermo Ochoa and give the Albiceleste the all-important lead.

2. Vincent Aboubakar’s chip against Serbia (FT. Cameroon 3-3 Serbia, Group G)

Aboubakar evaded the off-side trap to score the most outrageous chip-scoop goal of the World Cup against Serbia. Perhaps, it was also the foreboding about it was going to be offside that made him go for the flamboyant finish. Maybe not. As his past reveals he is more than capable of producing such dreamy flourishes. Cameroon was out of the game until he arrived with this moment of brilliance to make a comeback and score the second goal. He also provided the assist for the third goal in what was a thriller of a match between these two.

1. Richarlison’s volley against Serbia (FT. Brazil 2-0 Serbia, Group G)

Go ahead and have a look at this peach of a goal if you haven’t yet! The Brazilian striker notched a gorgeous goal on a miraculous scissor kick, helping his squad defeat Serbia, 2-0 in their opening group stage fixture. He was left in tears after scoring this blinder. Brazil had struggled to get past the sturdy Serbian defence until he scored from close range in the 62nd minute. Vinicius Junior assisted on both goals to give a statement that they had arrived in the World Cup. His outrageous attempt surely makes it to the top of the list for us.