Best World Cup Goals of the last 20 years?

[Joe_Sanchez]

Surely Maradona.

Others that need a mention:

Owen
Bergkamp
Platt

wasn't there a brilliant Saudi goal a few years back?

[Hrvat]

wasn't there a brilliant Saudi goal a few years back?

Against Belgium in '94. Said Owairan I think.

[Jaison]

Baggio's goal against Czechoslovakia in 1990 was spectacular.

Brehme's goal against Holland (again in 90) was very nice as well.

[usa1950]

And the first to mention Negrete from Mexico in 1986 is a Yank?????

[Jaison]

I forgot about Negrete's volley, it was a thing of beauty.

[Marquis de Sage]

It wasn't in the run of play, but Eric Wynalda's free kick against Switzerland was one of the nicest WC goals I've seen in the last 20 years.

Can't forget Maradona's second against England in '86. Owen's revenge in '98 was close to being as good.

[Marquis de Sage]

Bergkamp


I'm assuming you're talking about the winner against Argentina in '98. His first two touches, bringing the ball down and then cutting back across the defender, were two of the classiest I recall. The finish was class too.

[Jay510]

Sunday Oliseh for Nigeria in 1998 over Spain...half-volley from 30 yards....i mean it was the coolest shot ive ever seen taken

[Jay510]

2nd best: Michael Owen vs Argentina also in 1998

[ChaChaFut]

Sunday Oliseh for Nigeria in 1998 over Spain...half-volley from 30 yards....i mean it was the coolest shot ive ever seen takenIt was a great goal, but Zubi's bad reaction made it less appealing, unfortunately.

Great concept for a thread. The first WC I watched was Mexico86. I should be able to remember lots of great goals to discuss.

[Sachin]

Wynalda's free kick against Switzerland was a brilliant kick. He had one spot to pick out and he hit it perfectly.

Bergkamp against Argentina(?) in 1998 is another one that comes to mind.

Sachin

[ChaChaFut]

These are great goals in world cups since 1986, IMO. In no particular order:

Maradona v England, 1986 quarterfinals
Owairan v Belgium, 1994 first round
Negrete v Bulgaria, 1986 eightfinals
Wynalda v Switzerland, 1994 first round
Hagi v Colombia, 1994 first round
Maradona v Belgium, 1994 semifinals
Maradona v Greece, 1994 first round
Daniel Amokachi v Greece, 1994 first round
Owen v Argentina, 1998 eightfinals
Rats v France? 1986 first round
Careca v France, 1986 quarterfinals
Baggio v Czechoslovakia, 1990 quarterfinals
Michael Laudrup v Uruguay 1986 first round
Hagi v Argentina 1994 eightfinals
Josimar v N. Ireland? 1986 first round
Park Chang-sun v Argentina, 1986 first round (the celebration is one of the best ever too)
Stoichkov v Germany, 1994 quarterfinals
Freddy Rincon v Germany, 1990 first round
Hwang Bo-kwan v Spain, 1990 first round
Dennis Bergkamp v Argentina, 1998 quarterfinals
Hong Myung-bo? v Germany, 1994 first round
Branco v Netherlands, 1994 quarterfinals
Jose Luis Sierra v Cameroon, 1998 first round
Beckham v Colombia, 1998 first round
Goran Vlaovic v Germany, 1998 quarterfinals

I probably forgot a couple of ones in 1986, a tournament that featured tons of beautiful goals.

[Riker]

Nelinho vs Italy 78' I think...

[Sempre]

Baggio's goal vs. Spain in '94 was struck at almost an
impossible angle. Class.

Another goal I love: Rivaldo vs. England at Japanorea.
The work leading up to that, by Ronaldinho, was just
fabulous.

[Jay510]

this doenst qualify as the one of the best ever, but Clint Mathis' goal against S. Korea. I dont even think he aimed, just a one touch spin....brillant finish

[Joe_Sanchez]

I'd forgotten about some of them, man I love the world cup.

Judging by responses so far, there weren't many great goals in Japan/Korea (I was in Ecuador and didn't get to see many games).

[Saudi64]

Saeed AlOweirans goal, beautiful how he dribbled through almost the entire Belgium and scored, besides hes not considered one of the 'top' Saudi players, he was a normal NT player and that goal made him very popular.

[Saudi64]

I'd forgotten about some of them, man I love the world cup.

Judging by responses so far, there weren't many great goals in Japan/Korea (I was in Ecuador and didn't get to see many games).
The Brazil x England game in Japan/Korea had some nice goals.

[scaryice]

for 2002:

Dario Rodriguez, Uruguay-Denmark

[dor02]

I'll mention some that haven't been mentioned yet:

-Andreas Ogris for Austria at Italia 90 against the US. After a US corner, the Austrians clear the ball forward, Ogris picks up the ball just before reaching the halfway line, makes a pacy run on the left wing, shaking two defenders off on the way and once he enters the penalty box, he chips the ball over Tony Meola.

-Sergei Aleinikov for the Soviets against Hungary at Mexico 86. The USSR launch a quick counter-attack, then a Soviet striker about 20 metres out of the penalty box, gently deflects the ball backwards. Out of nowhere comes Aleinikov who runs at pace and thumps the ball into the net.

-Tomas Brolin at Italia 90 against Brazil. Sweden are 2-0 down and Stromberg, on the right wing, picks up a long ball from Thern. Stromberg calmly strides forward, centres a high ball which is deflected by Thern's head. The deflected ball comes into the path of Brolin, who turns, beats Ricardo Gomes and shoots calmly past Taffarel. It was a consulation goal but it was a good one. His celebration was better, which resulted in him doing a 360 turn and pointing an arm in the air at the same time.

-Enzo Scifo's long range effort from 25 yards for Belgium against Uruguay at Italia 90.

-Pablo Bengoechea for Uruguay in the game mentioned above. Uruguay take a corner which loops over everyone in the box. Hugo de Leon, who is at the far post, controls the high ball with his right foot, then in an instant, he crosses with his left foot. Running into the box is Bengoechea, who jumps and with a powerful shot from the side of his right foot, scores.

-Vasili Ratz for the USSR against France in 1986. A thunderbolt from 30 yards.

-Josimar's goal against Poland in 1986. Dribbled about three defenders then he scored from a very tight angle.

-Salvatore Schillaci scored with a long-range shot on his non-preferred left foot for Italy versus Uruguay in 1990

-Ilie Dumitrescu's free-kick for Romania at USA 94 against Argentina. From the left-wing, near the corner flag, he kicks the ball from his right foot high and long into the penalty box. Instead of just looping over the players, it loops over the Argentinian goalie Islas and into the far post. The most spectacular free-kick I've seen scored at a World Cup.

-Jurgen Klinsmann for Germany against Belgium at USA 94. Voller plays a 1-2 with Klinsmann and Voller makes a run forward. Voller runs too far forward and he isn't sure if either he or a Belgian defender will get the ball. Klinsmann gets the ball and with the first touch, places his diagonal shot from his left foot past Preud'homme.

-Roberto Baggio's first goal against Bulgaria in the USA 94 semi-final. Baggio recieves the ball from a throw-in on the left wing, beats two defenders and curls a right-foot shot past goalie Mihaylov from outside the penalty area.