The 2018 FIFA World Cup is off to a breathtaking start. We have witnessed Volleys, half-volleys, free-kicks, screamers, penalties own goals, VAR and some scintillating displays by teams. Fans from all around the world have been treated to a spectacle thus far and we hope that the entertainment continues. Here is a quick recap of all the best goals scored from Round 1 of the Group Stage matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo Free-Kick vs Spain.
3-2 down with a free-kick awarded in the dying moments of the game? Don’t worry, Cristiano Ronaldo has got you covered. One of the cleanest free-kicks you’ll ever see hit by this man. Ronaldo’s curling free-kick went over Spain’s defensive wall and then turned inwards to hit the top right corner of the net. It almost reminded us of his strike against Portsmouth a decade ago. David De Gea had absolutely no chance here. Will we see more of this from Ronaldo in Russia?
Philippe Coutinho curler vs Switzerland
Coutinho broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with this trademark thunder bullet from the edge of the area once a Marcelo cross had been headed out by a Swiss defender to him, leaving Sommer helpless, giving the watching Liverpool fans a trip down memory lane. The curl on this shot was the stuff of genius!
Dries Mertens Volley vs Panama
Dries Mertens may never hit a half-volley as clean as this one. Once the ball came looping towards him, he had only one thing in mind and he went through with it sending the ball straight to the bottom-left corner. An absolute screamer from the Napoli man which set the ball rolling for the Belgian players to romp Panama.
Aleksandar Kolarov, Costa Rica vs Serbia
With the game finely poised at 0-0, Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov stepped up to take a free-kick from 30 yards out. What followed was nothing short of sensational. He struck well-timed curling freekick that gave Keylor Navas absolutely no chance. There was pandemonium amongst Serbian fans as the ball whistled into the right top corner, which eventually turned out to be the match winner.
Denis Cheryshev volley against Saudi Arabia
Cheryshev’s second goal vs Saudi Arabia was a pot-shot from inches inside the area, hit as if to say: ‘Why not?’ Al-Mayoof offered no convincing response in return. The effort rose past him and into the far corner. Cheryshev had scored a Brace on his World Cup debut, and Russia could not contain their excitement as they ran out 5-0 winners in their opening game against Saudi Arabia.
Other noteworthy mentions
Nacho vs Portugal
Lozano vs Germany
Golovin Free kick vs Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quintero Free kick vs Japan.
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All Videos from Official FIFA youtube channel – FIFATV
Feature Image via Texarkana Gazette
