That total is the fourth highest all-time, but the average is slightly lower than Russia 2018 (2.64) and Brazil 2014 (2.67). With two games to play – Sunday’s final and Saturday’s third-place match between Morocco and Croatia – the tournament has a chance to reach the all-time high of 171, which was set in 1998 and matched in 2014.
From spectacular strikes to towering headers, here are seven goals (in order of when they happened) that are sure to come from the 2022 World Cup.
Salem Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabia vs Argentina (Group Stage)
The most spectacular goal of the World Cup came in the tournament’s second full day of play. Saudi Arabia were the underdogs in Group C and a draw against heavyweights Argentina in their opening game on November 22 would have been a significant result. But Davsari made Green Falcons history with his goal in the 53rd minute. The 31-year-old eluded pressure from three defenders and dived in on his right foot, then created enough space to hit a brilliant shot that curled into the net to give Saudi Arabia the lead. He followed it up with his trademark cartwheel and backflip celebration.
With his goal, Daswari, one of the top players in Asian football, etched his name in World Cup lore.
Richarlison, Brazil v Serbia (Group Stage)
FIFA’s official “Goal of the Tournament” is determined by a fan poll after the World Cup, but since it happened on November 24, it has run away from the popular vote. In the 73rd minute against Serbia, Vinicius Junior sent a fine cross into the box and Richarlison’s finish was even better. The ball slipped out of his line of sight, but he caught it in time for a brilliant right-footed overhead kick.
It wasn’t even a trickle. Video after the fact Richarlison was shown practicing a similar finish In Brazil’s training sessions. The Tottenham star added another A great goal With their finish against South Korea in the knockout round. His team’s run ended earlier than expected, but Brazil fans won’t be forgetting Richarlison’s outstanding performance anytime soon.
Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon v Serbia (Group Stage)
This target may not score high in beauty points compared to others on this list, but it gets a bonus for its cheekbones. With his side trailing 3-1 in the 63rd minute, Aboubaker left Serbian defender Nemanja Maksimovic in the dust and then sent a lob over the head of keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. The ball took another bounce just off the line before landing somewhat miraculously into the net. After a quick VAR review, the goal stood and the Indomitable Lions roared back to secure a 3-3 draw.
The Cameroonian captain cannot be mentioned without acknowledging his goal against Brazil. He is Scored in second half stoppage time to give his team the lead, then was immediately sent off for a rash-conduct yellow card.
Luis Chavez, Mexico vs Saudi Arabia (Group Stage)
If there was an award for the best goal from a dead ball, it might go to this free-kick strike. Chavez’s ball went over the heads of his teammates and Saudi defenders and into the net. It gave Mexico hope as the final places in Group C went down to the wire on November 30 and saw Chavez, the 26-year-old midfielder at Pachuca in Liga MX, score perhaps one of the greatest free-kick goals of all time. .
According to FIFA’s advanced statistics, the ball traveled 95.8 feet toward the goal — distance measured as a straight line, not in the air — for a top speed of 121.7 mph. It was the toughest goal of the group stage.
Kylian Mbappe, France v Poland (Round of 16)
France comfortably secured their quarterfinal spot in the final minutes against Poland on December 4, but that didn’t stop them from giving the world another masterpiece. He scored earlier in the match to give France a 2-0 lead, but his stoppage-time strike was the highlight of the day. Mbappé received a smart pass from Marcus Thuram, peeled off a Polish defender and curled the ball into the top corner of the goal after two touches.
All five of Mbappé’s goals this World Cup have come from open play. He and teammate Olivier Giroud lead all players in expected goals without penalties at 3.4. Still only 23, he’s just getting started.
Youssef N-Nessiri, Morocco v Portugal (Quarter Final)
N-Nessiri’s 42nd-minute header helped Morocco reach new heights in more ways than one. The Atlas Lions earned a spot in the World Cup semifinals, a first for any African or Arab nation, and the 6-foot-2 N-Nesiri entered the record books. The Sevilla striker got a look at the cross in the box and Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa took advantage of the moment of hesitation to leap 9.1 feet and hit the ball into the net.
That measure is in company with the heights reached by Cristiano Ronaldo, a player best known for his heading prowess. Even Ronaldo himself, watching from the bench, marveled at how N-Nessiri defied physics on the big stage.
Julian Alvarez, Argentina v Croatia (Semifinal)
There was no shortage of spectacular goals in Argentina’s World Cup. It’s hard to pick just one that stands out: Enzo Fernandes Brilliant strike from outside the box One of the best goals of the group stage after a small corner against Mexico, and Messi’s Score in that game Showed the best to the master.
Alvarez’s second goal in the semi-final against Croatia sums up Argentina’s run: a brilliant moment from an all-time great paired with a teammate Willing to do whatever it takes to keep Messi’s dream alive. Messi beat Croatia defender Josko Guardiol on the turn and found Alvarez in the corner of the six-yard box to put away. It was an important goal, which came first – Messi’s run and Alvarez and other young Argentine players spent years idolizing him – Same as termination.
Marcus Rashford’s free-kick goal for England against Wales in the group stage. The Manchester United star, 25, is a year removed from his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final. His free kick was played Bukayo is tied with Saka for most goals in England – converting one of his three goals perfectly in Qatar.
Gonzalo Ramos starts for Portugal against Switzerland in the round of 16. Seventeen minutes into his first start, Ramos proved to be a worthy replacement for the benched Ronaldo. With a rocket Behind the Swiss keeper. The Benfica forward is the only player in Qatar to have a hat-trick.
Neymar stunner from a tricky angle for Brazil against Croatia in the quarter-finals. Brazilian star Weaved his way through the Croatian defence For the goal in extra time, Pele tied him as his country’s all-time leading scorer.
Voot Weghorst’s equalizer for Netherlands against Argentina in the quarter-finals. He is Dagger delivered In the 11th minute of stoppage time to force extra time. The straight-off-training-ground game echoed the set piece mastered at the 1998 World Cup by – surprise – Argentina.
