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World Cup: Top Five Goals

The 2014 edition of the World Cup has seen a record equaling number of goals, with the ball finding the back of the net a total of 171 times. But, which are the best ones? Dan compiles a list of his five favourites.

Jeff Gross

5 - Jermaine Jones v Portugal

With the USA a goal down, and in desperate need of a result to keep their dream of making it out of the group stage alive, they needed something special to get themselves back in the game. Luckily for them, they had Jermaine Jones.

Graham Zusi's corner was only half cleared by the Portugal defence, the ball landed at the feet of Jones, he quickly shimmied past Nani and from a side on stance hit an unstoppable, bending drive into the bottom corner of the goal.


4 - James Rodriguez v Japan

James Rodriguez had been having a great tournament, but Colombia's game against Japan was when he showed just how good he was. He was constant danger with his quick feet, clever passes and enticing crosses. He topped off the performance with a delightful goal.

Jackson Martinez gave him the ball out on the left, where he had acres of space to advance into the box. He tied a poor defender into knots with his twisting legs, leaving him in a confused heap on the ground. Rodriguez then proceeded to delicately chip the ball over the goalkeeper. Beautiful.


3 - Tim Cahill v Netherlands

Australia were the minnows of Group B, having to face the might of Spain, Netherlands and Chile. Things weren't look that good for them in their second game against the Netherlands, when they fell behind to an Arjen Robben opener.

But less than a minute later, Tim Cahill, equalised in stunning fashion.

A long, diagonal pass forward from the right full back fell in the path of Cahill, who'd gotten in-between two defenders. He then displayed astonishing technique to hit the falling ball first time on the volley, it flew into the goal, via the crossbar, at rapid speed.


2 - James Rodriguez v Uruguay

Rodriguez finds himself on my list once again, this time with an even better goal.

Uruguay has been quite resilient up until this point, not really allowing Rodriguez and co to play their game. That all changed on the 28th minute.

It seemed like an age until anybody managed to get control of the ball, as it bounced from player to player for a time. But finally it his James Rodriguez' chest, then stuck to him like glue, not once being more than a few inches from his body. He was able to have a quick look goal bound before the ball came to him, he then hit a spectacular volley that also went in off the cross bar. Goals are just so much more satisfying when they hit the bar, aren't they?


1 - Robin van Persie v Spain

Finally, my personal favourite goal of the tournament. It seems like so long ago now.

It looked as if it was business as usual for the world and European champions, as they took the lead and controlled possession for much of the first half.

On the cusp of halftime however, Daley Blind hit a brilliant ball into the path of Robin van Persie, who dived at the incoming ball to head it over Iker Casialls and into the goal, for what would be the beginning of the second most shocking rout of the World Cup.

This tournament has seen so many fantastic goals, but they're are my favourite. What are yours? Let me know below!