FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: Review of Top Goals

The FIFA World Cup’s first appearance in a Middle-Eastern country has seen many interesting records broken and is certainly going down in history as one of the greatest tournaments ever played. An African country making the top-4 for the first time, Asia’s arguable best showing in years with the participation of a record 6 countries, and the acclaimed ‘GOAT’, Messi, finally hoisting football’s biggest prize for Argentina.

And another record-breaking milestone at this World Cup would be the total number of goals scored – 172. The Final’s 3-3 score meant that this exceptional tournament ended with 1 goal more than the 1998 and 2014 editions held in France and Brazil, respectively.

Richarlison’s acrobatic showpiece against Serbia was recently voted as the Goal of the Tournament, and that goal, amongst many others, was definitely a joy to watch for every football fan. Now, let us look back at some of the best goals Qatar 2022 has seen.

Best Asian Goal

With a total of 22 goals being scored by the 6 Asian countries, the best of the lot has to be Japan’s winner against the 2014 Champions – Germany. Just 8 minutes after his team scored the equaliser, super-sub Takuma Asano received a long ball from Ko Itakura at defense, and took a couple of deft touches to maraud his way into the penalty area. Displaying calmness and composure with enough strength to shrug off Nico Schlotterbeck’s challenges, the forward found himself with only Manuel Neuer to beat, and lifted the ball into the roof of the net to complete a remarkable upset.

Best Volleyed Goals

Hitting the ball at its sweet spot with power and precision, and seeing it smack the back of the net is a dream for any goalscorer on the world stage. And there are 4 such goals, ranked from 1st to 4th, which caught spectators (and the goalkeepers) by surprise.

1. Seung-Ho Paik (South Korea) vs Brazil
Despite losing out to Brazil and exiting at the Round of 16, South Korean faithfuls certainly had something to cheer about in that game, and that would be Seung-Ho Paik’s fantastic goal. Latching onto a clearance by the Brazilian defense off a Kang-in Lee free-kick, all the K-League midfielder did was to set it up with his left foot before striking it 25-yards out. The half-volley beat the entire defense albeit a minor inconsequential deflection, and perfectly thumped the top corner beyond Alisson Becker’s reach. Only a consolation, but what a goal indeed.

2. Bukayo Saka (England) vs Iran

England’s opening game saw them brush Iran aside in a resounding 6-2 scoreline and their second goal was easily the best of the lot. Luke Shaw’s corner was headed down by Harry Maguire onto the path of Saka, who slammed the ball home with one touch. The Arsenal winger went on to score another goal in the same game but his first goal would be something he will never forget.

3. Casemiro (Brazil) vs Switzerland

With both teams failing to break the deadlock, Casemiro rose to the occasion 7 minutes from time with an outside-foot half-volley after being set up by Rodrygo.

4. Gavi (Spain) vs Costa Rica

Spain opened their World Cup 2022 campaign in style with a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica, and Gavi made it to the record books by being the youngest ever player to score in the World Cup after Pele in 1958. It was not any other ordinary goal, but a perfectly hit volley using the outside of his foot which found the bottom corner of the net, past former La Liga goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Best Free-kick Goals

There were only 2 goals scored from direct free-kicks in this World Cup and one had all the ingredients for a goal from the top drawer. Marcus Rashford’s opener against Wales was beaten by Luis Chavez’s free-kick against Saudi Arabia. From about 32-yards out, Chavez audaciously went for goal with his sweet left foot. The number 24 struck the ball so well that it had both the power and curl to hand Saudi’s custodian no chance at all.

Best Headed Goals

1. Gvardiol (Croatia) vs Morocco

The 2 teams’ first meeting ended goalless in the group stage but their next at the 3rd/4th placing game proved to speak a different story. Croatia clinched 3rd spot with a 2-1 win over surprise package Morocco in a game which saw 2 early goals from both sides, but the Bronze medalists’ first goal was the one that was most talked about. A free-kick floated in the penalty area was met by Ivan Perisic, who headed the ball onto the path of oncoming Gvardiol. The centre-back then powered his header from 12-yards out into the back of the net.

2. Perisic (Croatia) vs Japan

The 2018 runners-up were finding themselves a goal behind after Japan had taken the lead in the Round of 16 battle, but Perisic brilliantly guided his header off Dejan Lovren’s cross from quite far out, past Shuichi Gonda.

3. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco) vs Portugal

How Morocco miraculously overcame Portugal in the Quarter-Finals was all thanks to their target-man, En-Nesyri. The Sevilla striker produced a glorious leap, which was there-after compared to that of Cristiano Ronaldo’s, to meet Yahia Attiyat-Allah’s cross. The result? A clean header which then made Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa totally helpless and dumbfounded.

4. Gue-Sung Cho (South Korea vs Ghana)

Having pulled one goal back just 3 minutes earlier, Cho once again rose to the occasion and handed his team the equaliser in the 61st minute. The forward rose highest to meet Jin-su Kim’s delightful cross from the left, and let out a thunderous header to make it 2-2.

Other Notable Goals:

Vincent Abou Bakar (Cameroon) vs Serbia

This one was one of the Top 10 for many. The experienced striker, thinking that he was offside, casually scooped the ball over the Serbian goalkeeper to see it take one bounce and hit the roof of the net. That proved to be a top striker’s finish as he was actually not offside, though many still wonder if he would have done the same knowing he was not.

Haji Wright (USA) vs Netherlands

Another ‘unintended’ goal. Christian Pulisic released a low cross from the right and Wright, who overran, managed to connect the ball with his heels, looping the ball over at the goalkeeper’s far-post.

Wout Weghorst (Netherlands) vs Argentina

One of the best games this World Cup had seen, Netherlands found themselves 2 goals down with 7 minutes to go before Weghorst directed his header towards goal. But that was not the better goal. The Dutch were chasing for the equaliser when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Instead of going for goal, Netherlands deployed a routine right off the training ground which worked out perfectly. Teun Koopmeiners laid a short pass to Weghorst, who took one touch before slotting it past Emiliano Martinez.

A total of 172 goals consisting of 21 headers, 14 penalties, 2 direct free-kicks and many other goals of variety, the World Cup 2022 Qatar is one that will be remembered for its spectacular goals and extraordinary upsets.