Image via Complex Original
We witnessed a thrilling end to the EPL title race last week, resulting in Manchester City claiming their seconds Barclays crown in three years. This weekend, the soccer world watched as Atletico Madrid visited Barcelona at the Nou Camp, knowing that a draw would be good enough to see Diego Simeone's men crowned La Liga champions for the first time in 18 years. And despite Alexis Sanchez putting the home side ahead first, Diego Godin's second half header ensured Los Colchoneros would head back to Madrid as kings. England wasn't quite through with commanding our attention, though, as Arsenal and Hull City met at Wembley to decide the FA Cup final. The match did not disappoint. In Germany, Bayern and Dortmund renewed their rivalry in the DFB-Pokal final, with extra time needed to crown a winner. Stateside, MLS put on a show with a flurry of multi-goal matches, and a few top-class finishes. From Aaron Ramsey putting an end to Arsenal's title drought to Andrea Pirlo showing why he's still the best, get caught up, or relive the magic, with The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
15. Gareth Bale Finishes From a Tight Angle
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Real Madrid v. Espanyol
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Gareth Bale showed on Saturday that he can be just as dangerous with his right foot as he is with that famed left. The Welsh wizard makes a great run to latch onto Karim Benzema's through ball, and despite being forced away from goal he fires in off the post from the tightest of angles. We can only hope CR7 is healthy for the Champions League final this coming Saturday.
14. Maciej Gajos Converts on the Counter
Date: 5/16/2014
Match: Widzew Lodz v. Jagiellonia Bialystok
Competition: Polish Ekstraklasa
Ground: Stadion Widzewa, Lodz, Poland
Maciej Gajos and his Bialystock teammates carved up the Widzew defense with this sweeping counter, which starts well in their own end. Gajos applies the final slice of the last Widzew defender, and coolly chips the on-rushing keeper to finish off the move.
13. Thomas Muller Puts the DFP-Pokal Cup on Ice
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Borussia Dortmund v. Bayern Munich
Competition: DFB-Pokal
Ground: Olympiastadion, Berlin
Bayern may not be in contention to defend their Champions League crown, nor could they achieve a historic trebble, but that didn't mean they didn't want to beat rivals Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal Cup final on Saturday. The Bavarians shut out BVB 2-0, and this show of speed, strength, and skill from Thomas Muller put the game out of sight in extra time.
12. Marcos Senna Catches One on the Laces
Date: 5/12/2014
Match: NY Cosmos v. Minnesota United
Competition: NASL
Ground: James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, NY
Yes, folks, at the age of 37 Marcos Senna has still got a few tricks in his locker. The Spaniard scored the only goal of the game in Hempstead, NY on Monday night, and what a worthy winner it was. Senna catches this one perfectly, and inside-outs the ball into the side netting.
11. Alexis Sanchez Has Barca Thinking Title
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona knew it would take something special to beat Thibaut Courtois in goal at the Camp Nou on Saturday, and that is exactly how we would describe this rocket from Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean takes it on the volley, and gives Courtois no chance at his top corner. This opener had Barca fans thinking title, but Diego Godin's second-half header ensured Atletico were crowned Liga champions.
10. Aaron Ramsey Ends Arsenal's Trophy Drought
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Arsenal v. Hull City
Competition: FA Cup
Ground: Wembley Stadium, London
While it took Arsenal nine years to end their trophy drought, Hull city will have to continue their 110-year wait for major silverware thanks to Aaron Ramsey. Just as he started the Gunners' season on a tear, the Welshman capped their 2013-14 campaign with this brilliant finish in extra time to win the FA Cup. Full credit to the much-maligned Olivier Giroud on the setup as well.
9. Claudio Marchisio's Acrobatic Display
Date: 5/18/2014
Match: Juventus v. Cagliari
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Juventus Stadium, Torino, Italy
Claudio Marchisio moves with the grace of a ballerina as he dances and spins his way through the box, before blasting one into the roof of the net. Can't you just see this GIF being set to the music of Swan Lake or something? Come on, get to Youtube.
8. Robin van Persie's Brilliant Take and Finish
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Netherlands v. Ecuador
Competition: International Friendly
Ground: Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
If only Robin van Persie was in this sort of goal-scoring form for United this season, things might have turned out differently for Moyes. Well, maybe. Anyway, Dutch fans will be delighted by the sign of their captain converting a vintage RVP run, take, and finish. Fantastic skill from the striker, who will certainly need to bring his A game to Brazil in less than a months' time.
7. Antonio Di Natale Leaves the Keeper Rooted to His Spot
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Udinese v. Sampdoria
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
Antonio Di Natale was at it again on Saturday, once again showcasing his expert shooting skills from a dead ball situation. Toto measures this one up and over the wall, and the Sampdoria keeper's movement-or lack there of-and facial expression say it all.
6. Munir El Haddadi's Deft Touch
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Barcelona B v. Real Murcia
Competition: Spanish Segunda Division
Ground: Mini Estadi, Barcelona, Spain
Yes, Barcelona is so good that they have an entire B team in the second division of Spanish football. And yes, 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi is probably more talented than most of the dudes who are six, seven, and eight years his senior. Haddadi shows his sublime touch with the take of the initial pass, and converts the chip over the keeper to show he's the complete package.
5. Federico Higuain's Masterfully Measured Chip
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Portland Timbers v. Columbus Crew
Competition: MLS
Ground: Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
Portland and Columbus entertained the crowd to a six-goal showcase on Saturday, with the two sides eventually sharing the spoils. The goal of the match, though, has to be this audacious effort from Federico Higuain. The Argentine finds himself with time and space, and much to our delight he measures his chip perfectly.
4. Andrea Pirlo is Perfect From 30 Yards Out
Date: 5/18/2014
Match: Juventus v. Cagliari
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Juventus Stadium, Torino, Italy
We, like the rest of the footie community, are going to mourn the day Andrea Pirlo decides to hang up his boots for good. But with goals like this, surely the Italian midfield maestro isn't going anywhere soon. Calm and composed as always, Pirlo steps up and bangs this one in off the underside of the bar.
3. Ian Kabes' Fantastic Side-Footed Effort
Date: 5/13/2014
Match: Persipura v. Yangon United
Competition: AFC Cup Round of 16
Ground: Mandala Stadium, Jayapura, Indonesia
Persipura defeated Yangon by an aggregate score of 9-2 to advance to the quarters of the AFC Cup, and while the game may have already been won, nothing should be taken away from this finish by Ian Kabes in the 53rd minute. Kabes pick his spot, and nestles this one into the top corner.
2. Santi Cazorla Gets Arsenal in the Game
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Arsenal v. Hull City
Competition: FA Cup
Ground: Wembley Stadium, London
Arsenal ended a nine-year trophy drought on Saturday with their 3-2 FA Cup final victory over Hull City in extra time. The game got off to a start, though, that would've had Gunners fans fearing the worst. Hull scored twice within the first eight minutes, and it took this brilliant Santi Cazorla free kick to pull Arsenal back into the match.
1. Vincent Nogueira Cracks One From Just Outside the Area
Date: 5/17/2014
Match: Philadelphia Union v. New England Patriots
Competition: MLS
Ground: PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
What a bullet this is from the boot of Vincent Nogueria. He catches the ball perfectly on the volley, and there is nothing the Revs keeper can do to keep this one out. New England ended up with the win in a 5-3 thriller at PPL, but the goal of the night, and quite possibly the season, belongs to the Frenchman.
