Anthony Knockaert (Huddersfield v LEICESTER CITY)
The winger’s first goal of the game was a wondrous 25-yard effort but his second was even better. Anthony Knockaert, now of Brighton and Hove Albion, nonchalantly flicked the ball past a hapless Alex Smithies in the Huddersfield goal from Paul Konchesky’s cross from the left.
Zico (KASHIMA ANTLERS)
“The best goal I ever scored, I scored in Japan,” said Zico, the former Brazil midfielder. “I went ahead of the ball, it was coming from behind me and I didn’t know what to do but I threw myself forward to hit the ball with my heel. I got the ball and hit it. It was perhaps the finest piece of play in my entire life.”
Festus Baise (Sun Hei v CITIZEN AA)
A glorious own goal by Festus Baise, in Hong Kong’s first division. Citizen AA fail to snuff the ball out time and again and eventually Baise does his bit to put his team well and truly out of their misery. The 36-year-old now plays for Chinese side Guizhou Zhicheng.
René Higuita (England v COLOMBIA)
Think René Higuita, think scorpion kick. The former Colombia goalkeeper wowed the crowd at the old Wembley with his clearance in a friendly against England in 1995. Higuita, nicknamed El Loco, has since been widely crowned the inventor of the scorpion kick.
Alexandre Coeff (FRANCE v United States)
France’s squad at the Under-20 Toulon Tournament was full of burgeoning talent, including Paul Pogba and Geoffrey Kondogbia, but it was Alexandre Coeff, currently on loan at Ligue 2 Brest, who will be remembered for this moment of magic. Coeff, a centre-back by day, backheeled the ball magnificently beyond the United States goalkeeper from a free-kick.
Thomas Luciano (GREMIO U14s v Novo Hamburgo)
After some crisp buildup play, with the goal gaping, why sidefoot or hammer it home when you can showboat in front of your team-mates like this? Cue the wild celebrations too. A promising start for young Luciano, at the same Brazilian club where Ronaldinho started his career.
Charles-Edouard Coridon (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v Porto)
The Parc des Princes is quite the footballing arena at the best of times, but it lit up when Charles-Edouard Coridon found the net in considerable style in the Champions League. Coridon got the ball rolling against Porto, with PSG legend Pauleta tapping home a second goal a minute later. It was a moment to cherish for Coridon, who featured just 19 times for the club before moving to Turkish side Ankaragucu.
Simon Skrabb (Gefle v ATVIDABERGS FF)
How do you make an impression when on loan at a club? Just ask Skrabb, the Finnish youngster who ended up celebrating this strike by covering his face in embarrassment – or pure joy. All of his team-mates joined him, mobbing him to celebrate.
Dmytro Ulyanov (AVANHARD KRAMATORSK v Ternopil)
Scoring from a scorpion kick is doubtless a fond memory for those fortunate enough to ripple the net in such a fashion – even more so when it’s your first career goal. Dmytro Ulyanov never gives up on this attacking move and he pops up at the far post to the delight of himself and his team-mates.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v Bastia)
Imagine a list of magical goals without even a doff of the cap to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It’s just not possible. Whether Hervin Ongenda’s flick to Ibrahimovic is intentional or not, the striker manages to find the net during a convincing 4-0 league win. Ibrahimovic hit four goals in a 5-0 win over Anderlecht four days later.
Edinson Cavani (NAPOLI v Juventus)
Again, at the back post, Edinson Cavani, at speed, flies on to the end of a cross and duly does the honours. The Uruguayan’s goal record at Napoli was impressive – 78 goals in 97 league starts – but few will have felt sweeter than this effort as part of a hat-trick against Juventus at Stadio San Paolo.
Carsten Kammlott (Dresden v ERFURT)
A spectacular effort, and a scorpion kick, true to its – blurred – definition. Carsten Kammlott celebrates in jubilation, astounded at what he’s just done, after impeccably meeting a cross from the right flank.
Ricardo Fernandes (DOXA KATOKOPIAS v Alki Larnaca)
Full marks for audacity and accuracy for Ricardo Fernandes, who nestles the ball in the top-right corner with this sublime effort in the Cypriot league. Fernandes has played for 19 clubs in his career – the John Burridge of continental Europe. The 38-year-old is now back in his homeland at Trofense, who play in the Portuguese third tier.
Maurício Molina (FC SEOUL v Jeonnam)
The cross is floated behind Maurício Molina but he has a trick up his sleeve, and flares go off in the stadium as the Colombian strikes for FC Seoul in the K League.
Fredy Guarín (INTERNAZIONALE)
Fredy Guarín has moved on to Shanghai Shenhua but goals such as this will always have a place in the hearts of Internazionale supporters. The Colombian replicated the skill shown by his countryman, Higuita, trying his luck after being picked out from the right flank.
