Image via Complex Original
The 2014 World Cup began in Brazil with 32 nations all sharing the dream of lifting the greatest trophy on the planet. Now, one month since hosts Brazil opened the tournament on June 12 with a 3-1 victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo, Germany are world champions. They wrote a storied script to find themselves at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, and now the Europeans have their fourth World Cup trophy to date, and are the first European team to win the title on South American soil. Mario Goetze's 113th minute winner in extra time will forever keep him in the company of German soccer royalty.
All World Cups are special and unique in their own way, but the 2014 tournament really has been everything and more. There have been 64 matches played, 171 goals scored, and more drama than we ever could've imagined. The defending champions were knocked out in the Group Stage, Costa Rica were a penalty shootout away from the semis, and Luis Suarez bit someone on the field for a third time. This tournament really has had it all. And while we can't believe the curtain has finally come down on the 2014 World Cup, we've been left with enough memories to hopefully fill the void for another four years. From Gervinho carving up the Colombian defense to Tim Cahill's audacious volley against the Netherlands, take a look back at The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the 2014 World Cup.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
25. Toni Kroos Triples Germany's Advantage
Date: 7/8/2014
Match: Brazil v. Germany
Competition: World Cup Semifinals
Ground: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Toni Kroos put Brazil to bed by knocking in Germany's third goal against the hosts in the first semifinal. Kroos thumps this one first time past Julio Cesar, and the waterworks were on in Belo Horizonte amongst the home supporters. If we were on the losing end of a 7-1 dressing down at home we would probably be in tears too.
24. Joel Campbell Fires Costa Rica Level
Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Uruguay v. Costa Rica
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil
Joel Campbell and Costa Rica proved to be one of the shocks of this World Cup, taking us on a storied ride that ultimately ended in a loss to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on penalties. Los Ticos' terrific run began with their Group D opening victory against Uruguay, and more specifically it started with this thunderous equalizer from Joel Campbell. The Arsenal man chests down in the area and leaves Muslera with no chance at even attempting a save.
23. Granit Xhaka's Well-Timed Run and Volleyed Finish
Date: 6/20/2014
Match: Switzerland v. France
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Switzerland were victims of a 5-2 hammering at the hands of France during their Group Stage encounter. This run and finish from Granit Xhaka, though, was not only a respect saving moment for the Swiss, it was also the best piece of play from the seven-goal thriller. Sublime link up from the Swiss.
22. Thomas Muller's Perfectly Placed Rebound Downs the United States
Date: 6/26/2014
Match: United States v. Germany
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
The United States fought bravely in their final group game against Germany, but they were finally undone in the '55 thanks to this perfectly placed rebound from Thomas Muller. The Bayern man has five goals to his name at this tournament, and continues to be a constant threat for Low's Germany.
21. Oscar's Fine Finish Finally Gives the Crowd Something to Celebrate
Date: 7/8/2014
Match: Brazil v. Germany
Competition: World Cup Semifinals
Ground: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
It took 90 minutes for the Brazilian crowd, or at least what was left of it, to have something to cheer about during Brazil's 7-1 semifinal demolition at the hands of Germany. The final 60 minutes of this match were nothing more than a formality, really, but this is still a really nice finish from Oscar to put Brazil on the board. Without Neymar and Silva the Selecao imploded.
20. Arjen Robben's Brilliant Control and Finish
Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Spain v. Netherlands
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Following Robin van Persie's acrobatic equalizer just moments earlier, Arjen Robben completed the comeback against Spain by collecting this ball over the top, cutting back onto his favored left foot, and lashing the finish past a helpless Iker Casillas in goal. The rout was on, and Holland were on their way to a great World Cup run.
19. Julian Green Reignites the American Dream
Date: 7/1/2014
Match: USA v. Belgium
Competition: World Cup Round of 16
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Maybe Jurgen Klinsmann should've thrown on Julian Green earlier, because with his firs touch in extra time against Belgium the 19-year-old became the youngest goalscorer in U.S. World Cup history. The Bayern product latches onto Michael Bradley's ball over the top and fires past Courtois for a sensational volleyed finish. The future looks bright for this boy.
18. Ahmed Musa's Beauty Puts the Super Eagles on the Board
Date: 6/25/2014
Match: Nigeria v. Argentina
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Nigeria were kept quiet for most of this tournament, registering just one win in four matches in Brazil. Their most exciting game was undoubtedly their 3-2 loss to Argentina, which produced two goals in the opening five minutes, one of which was this superb finish from forward Ahmed Musa.
17. Luis Suarez Completes His Double to Sink England
Date: 6/19/2014
Match: Uruguay v. England
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
It's been quite a month for the embattled Luis Suarez. And while there's been plenty of bad to focus on--Ahem, biting AGAIN--we'll chose to highlight the good for a moment. After missing Uruguay's opening loss to Costa Rica, the striker returned for the England match with a bang. He scored a brace to sink several of his former teammates, with this peach of a winner coming in the '85. Say what you will about the new Barcelona striker, but he certainly knows how to score goals.
16. Gonzalo Higuain Sends Argentina to the Semis
Date: 7/5/2014
Match: Argentina v. Belgium
Competition: World Cup Quarterfinals
Ground: Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
Lionel Messi has been the driving force behind Argentina's magical run to the finals of the 2014 World Cup, but we have to look back to this moment of class from Gonzalo Higuain that took the South Americans into the semifinals. The Real Madrid man shows no hesitation on the finish, as he fires past Coutois in goal.
15. Gervinho's Blazing Run Through the Colombian Defense
Date: 6/19/2014
Match: Colombia v. Cote d'Ivoire
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
Cote d'Ivoire failed to advance out of the Group Stage in Brazil--thanks to a last-minute penalty from Greece--but this run and finish from Gervinho provided one of the highlights of not just their tournament, but the entire World Cup. The Roma man scored twice at this tournament, with this brilliant display against Colombia boasting his full range of abilities.
14. Jorge Valdivia Makes No Mistake With His Finish
Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Chile vs. Australia
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil
Chile had a good showing at this World Cup, eventually falling to Brazil on penalties in the Round of 16. They opened their campaign with a strong 3-1 victory over Tim Cahill's Australia, and this goal from Jorge Valdivia was one of the highlights of the tournament's opening round.
13. Mario Gotze Gives Germany Their Fourth World Cup Title
Date: 7/13/2014
Match: Germany v. Argentina
Competition: World Cup Final
Ground: Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Argentina defended superbly for 100 plus minutes, but one moment of brilliance from subsitute Mario Gotze ended Europe's World Cup title drought on South American soil. The Bayern man chests down this pass and fires past Sergio Romero before the ball even hits the ground. A worthy winner to give Germany their first World Cup title since 1990.
12. Giovani dos Santos Fires Mexico Ahead
Date: 6/29/2014
Match: Netherlands v. Mexico
Competition: World Cup Round of 16
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil
Miguel Herrera and Mexico were in dreamland when Giovani dos Santos banged in this opener in their Round of 16 clash with Holland. Their first goal from outside the box in the tournament, everyone was thinking upset win. Then Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, and Klass-Jan Huntelaar combined to sink that dream, but take nothing away from this brilliant finish by dos Santos.
11. Keisuke Honda's Left-Footed Blast Opens the Scoring in Recife
Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Cote d'Ivoire v. Japan
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
It was a disappointing World Cup campaign for Keisuke Honda and Japan, as they finished dead last in Group C. And their campaign started with so much promise. Honda opened their first group game against Cote d'Iviore with this sensational top corner blast, but it was pretty much all downhill from there. They lost that match 2-1, drew with Greece 0-0, and fell to Colombia 4-1. Better luck in four years, Japan.
10. Wesley Sneijder's Sweet Volley Levels it for Holland
Date: 6/29/2014
Match: Netherlands v. Mexico
Competition: World Cup Round of 16
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil
Mexico were about three minutes from the quarterfinals when Wesley Sneijder pulled the thread to unravel Miguel Herrera's side. Mexico were clinging to a 1-0 advantage when Sniejder found himself in space near the edge of the area, and made no mistake with this finish. Arjen Robben would earn a somewhat controversial penalty for the Netherlands just moments later, and so went Miguel Herrera and his sideline awesomeness.
9. Xherdan Shaqiri Uncorks One Past Valladares
Date: 6/25/2014
Match: Honduras v. Switzerland
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil
Xherdan Shaqiri was another one of those young players who was looking to impress at this World Cup. He helped guide Switzerland to Round of 16, where they came so close to taking finalists Argentina to penalties, and showcased his full range of abilities with this goal against Honduras. He bagged a hat trick in this match, and the only question now is whether or not the 22-year-old is moving on from Bayern in search of first team action.
8. Andres Schurrle Completes Germany's Rout of Brazil
Date: 7/8/2014
Match: Brazil v. Germany
Competition: World Cup Semifinals
Ground: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Germany didn't just beat Brazil in the semifinals, they disgraced them in front of their own fans. Joachim Low's side where up 5-0 inside of a half hour, twice scoring within the span of less than three minutes. Oddly enough, though, Germany's best goal from the 7-1 rout was this final tally scored by Andres Schurrle. He collects in the area and leaves Julio Cesar with no chance at making a save.
7. Lionel Messi Wins it at the Death
Date: 6/21/2014
Match: Argentina v. Iran
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Iran were nearly at the finish line, with a point against the mighty South Americans in sight. Enter Lionel Messi. The Barcelona man cut in on his magical left peg, and curled this beauty past the Iran keeper in the '91. This is why the World Cup is so special, and more importantly this is why Lionel Messi is so special.
6. Jermaine Jones' Cracker Brings the United States Level
Date: 6/22/2014
Match: United States v. Portugal
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil
Jurgen Klinsmann and the United States gave it all they had down in Brazil, and they captured the attention of a nation in the process. U.S. soccer took a big step at this World Cup, at home and abroad, and the game that had the whole world watching, other than their Round of 16 loss to Belgium, was their second group game against Portugal. The U.S. fell behind early, but leveled the match on this thunderbolt from Jermaine Jones. The match would end in a 2-2 draw, and this goal will forever live on in U.S. soccer lore.
5. Robin van Persie's Flying Header Brings Holland Back Into the Match
Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Spain v. Netherlands
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
It's been another great World Cup for Holland this time around, which ended in a third place medal. This unbelievable header from Robin van Persie kick started Le Oranje's World Cup campaign, way back in their group B opener against defending champions Spain. They demolished the Spanish 5-1 by fulltime, but this goal brought them level after conceding the opener. Clearly they never looked back.
4. Lionel Messi's Perfeectly Struck Free Kick
Date: 6/25/2014
Match: Nigeria v. Argentina
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil
The Group Stage proved trickier for Argentina than they might've expected. But when you have the best player on the planet in your side, clearly you can afford to get by for 90 minutes. Lionel Messi has come to Argentina's rescue time and time again in Brazil, and their match against Nigeria was no exception. With the score tied at 1-1, Leo stepped up and executed this inch-perfect free kick to give Argentina the lead just before the break.
3. David Luiz's Epic Free Kick Ignites 200 Million Brazilians
Date: 7/4/2014
Match: Brazil v. Colombia
Competition: World Cup Quarterfinals
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil
It's amazing how a nation can go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a span of just a few days. But that is why the World Cup is so awesome. When David Luiz's free kick against Colombia fluttered and danced into the back of the net it sent a nation of 200 million into ecstasy, and surely they felt the World Cup title was in their destiny. Then they played Germany, and that dream turned into their worst nightmare. Regardless, this goal from Luiz was one of the moments of the tournament for Brazil and the rest of the world.
2. Tim Cahill Goes Out on a High Note
Date: 6/18/2014
Match: Australia v. Netherlands
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil
While Australia failed to register a single point at this World Cup, it certainly wasn't for a lack of trying. The Socceroos talisman, Tim Cahill scored twice in what is sure to be his last World Cup at the age of 34, and this goal against the Netherlands was a thing of absolute beauty. Talk about turning back the clock. Cahill can be proud to know that this is how he'll go out on the world's biggest stage.
1. James Rodriguez Fires Colombia Into the Quarterfinals
Date: 6/28/2014
Match: Colombia v. Uruguay
Competition: World Cup Round of 16
Ground: Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Colombia's 23-year-old sensation, James Rodriguez put a nation on his back and gave us a World Cup to remember. He scored six goals in Brazil--good enough for the Golden Boot--and netted in every single one of Colombia's matches. This World Cup has been a coming out party for Rodriguez, who is now being linked with several top clubs across Europe. This goal he scored against Uruguay in the Round of 16 showcased his sublime touch, a great nose for goal, and his unbelievable finishing ability. Thanks for the memories, James.
