Richarlison’s acrobatic effort to Mbappe’s magic moment – World Cup’s best goals
By Mark Mann-Bryans, PA, Doha
There were some memorable goals scored at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
From acrobatic efforts to clever set-pieces, there were plenty of fine strikes to get the crowds off their feet.
Here, the PA news agency selects six of the best from across the tournament.
Salem Al Dawsari – Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2, Group C
Was Argentina's defeat against Saudi Arabia the most surprising moment of the World Cup so far?#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/wrRAlqg9V7
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 7, 2022
Al Dawsari’s memorable goal sealed Saudi Arabia’s remarkable comeback win over eventual champions Argentina.
It was an effort Lionel Messi would have been proud of. Argentina seemingly escaped danger as a shot was blocked, but the Al Hilal winger picked up the ball on the edge of the box, jinked past two defenders and curled a strike into the top-right corner.
The Saudi fans inside Lusail Stadium erupted at a goal that ultimately led to one of the biggest upsets in the history of the finals.
Richarlison – Brazil 2 Serbia 0, Group G
𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜! 🇧🇷🪄
Stop what you're doing and watch this spectacular goal from Richarlison #ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DAi9Fui6i7— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 24, 2022
Having turned home a deflection to open the scoring, Tottenham forward Richarlison doubled the lead with a stunning effort.
Collecting a Vinicius Junior cross, Richarlison controlled the ball and lifted it above him in one motion.
He then twisted his body, executing a fine, acrobatic volley which flew past the outstretched glove of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Serbia goal.
Richarlison – Brazil 4 South Korea 1, last 16
"Eye-catching, intricate... typically Brazilian!" 🇧🇷🙌
How good is Richarlison for this Brazil side?! 😲#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/IbJbKku3j2— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 5, 2022
The Spurs man returned with another stunning effort – but this time with an altogether different kind of goal.
The third goal inside the opening 30 minutes practically assured Brazil’s safe passage into an ultimately ill-fated quarter-final against Croatia.
Richarlison won an aerial duel before juggling the ball three times on his head. More skills, this time with his feet, led to a pass into Marquinhos, who played in Thiago Silva and a through ball into the perfectly timed run of Richarlison allowed him to slot home a memorable team goal.
Wout Weghorst – Netherlands 2 Argentina 2, quarter-final
WELL THEN 😳
Wout Weghorst's second goal sends it to extra-time! 😱#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2pVsJhuKQf— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 9, 2022
With the Netherlands 2-0 down, Louis van Gaal turned to his bench and introduced Weghorst – currently on loan at Besiktas from Sky Bet Championship side Burnley.
The 30-year-old halved the deficit with a well-taken header but it was his second goal, deep into stoppage time, that will go down in World Cup folklore.
The Dutch were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box but instead of shooting Teun Koopmeiners played a low pass into the area and Weghorst held off his man to fire home.
Angel Di Maria – Argentina 3 France 3, final
Messi - Mac Allister - Di Maria 🇦🇷
France are caught out on a swift counter attack as Argentina take control of the game with their second goal... 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QCsZSYCuPL— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 18, 2022
Recalled to the Argentina team for the final, Di Maria made his mark by winning a penalty and then finishing off a lovely team move.
Alexis Mac Allister found Lionel Messi, who played the ball into the path of Julian Alvarez on the right.
The Manchester City forward then instantly played in Mac Allister behind the France defence and his inch-perfect pass was swept in first time by Di Maria.
Kylian Mbappe – Argentina 3 France 3, final
WHAT IS HAPPENING 🤯
Two goals in two minutes for Kylian Mbappe!!!#BBCWorldCup #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/aD5lvhlTN0— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
Mbappe completed a stunning comeback seconds after pulling one back from the penalty spot.
The Paris St Germain forward headed down to Marcus Thuram and then spun in behind his marker.
He kept his eye on Thuram’s looped return ball all the way before volleying into the far corner to bring France back level. He would go on to complete a hat-trick but it was not enough for France to retain their title.
