In a tournament that finished with the joint highest number of goals, there are bound to be some that stand out more than others. The youngsters were particularly having their say this World Cup, and it has been reflected in some of the crucial strikes below.
The list, as stated, contains only those players that are eligible for the Talent Radar feature (aged 21 and below at the start of last season, taken as June 1st 2013). So here are the Top 10 goals at the 2014 World Cup by Talent Radar’s young players.
All the clips below have been taken from Reddit.
10 | Ahmed Musa (Nigeria) vs Argentina
This isn’t the first you’ll hear of Musa, both in World football and this list but his splendid second strike against Argentina after a quick combination play opens up the Top 10, with the goal being the second of two equalisers.
9 | Memphis Depay (Netherlands) vs Australia
This strike from young Dutchman, Memphis Depay, proved to be the winner for the Netherlands although Matthew Ryan’s keeping can be called into question. It saw the Oranje win the game 3-2 and prompted Van Gaal to use Depay as an impact player in the subsequent games.
8 | Heung Min Son (Korea Republic) vs Algeria
Another disappointing defeat for the South Koreans but one bright moment of football to take home. This neat finish and clever move before it from Heung Min Son was nothing more than an early consolation against Algeria.
7 | Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) vs USA
In one of the most enthralling goalless 90 minutes you’ll ever see, the deadlock was broken in extra time by Kevin De Bruyne, following some good work from Romelu Lukaku. This is as much an effort of the scorer, as it is of Lukaku. But credit to the composure, balance and finishing ability of De Bruyne.
6 | Joel Campbell (Costa Rica) vs Uruguay
Costa Rica’s incredible run started from this fixture and this particular equalising goal. After some good work down the flanks, Joel Campbell smashed this effort past Muslera in the Uruguayan goal before two further Costa Rica goals were added.
5 | Ahmed Musa (Nigeria) vs Argentina
The first of Ahmed Musa’s goals was an even better striker than the second (which appeared at #10). After Argentina had just taken the lead, Musa cut inside onto his right foot and curled one perfectly towards the far post. Typical.
4) Mario Götze (Germany) vs Argentina
This would have to be right up there among the most memorable goals of all time, and it comes with sheer happiness for us to see a Talent Radar youngster win his nation the most prestigious prize in the competition. Besides the occasion, the goal itself was well taken with it all starting and ending in one motion.
3 | James Rodriguez (Colombia) vs Japan
There are many reasons why James Rodriguez has emerged as the most popular footballer from the World Cup. Though he isn’t an unknown by any means, the entire World had never before caught a glimpse of James, until now. So we have two of the many reasons why he’s so popular, with the first being a strike off the bench against Japan.
2 | Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland) vs Honduras
In a must win game for Switzerland, Shaqiri took matters into his own hands, scoring thrice in his nation’s 3-0 win over Honduras to comfortably secure progress in the competition. The other two strikes were well worked assists by Josip Drmic; this one though was all Shaqiri.
1 | James Rodriguez (Colombia) vs Uruguay
He makes his second appearance on the list (as do Uruguay as opponents), and this particular strike sums up the brilliance of James Rodriguez. Clever, classy and a thing of beauty; this goal was arguably the best of the tournament irrespective of the players’ age. James Rodriguez finished as the top scorer of the World Cup, and this strike was the cherry on top.
