The best team goals of the World Cup Group Stage
In a World Cup of Penalties, Set Pieces and long distance screamers, team play hasn’t taken the forefront yet, but we still saw some great efforts that deserve to be admired.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the five best team goals so far in 2D top down view animations (if you are/were a PC Gamer: yes, inspired by Football Manager’s Classic View).
Note: while reviewing this piece I saw Tunisia’s first goal against Panama, which probably deserved to be here. I haven’t seen all the goals, so I may have missed some more. Hit me up if your favorite team goal is absent.
Mexico vs. Germany
A great counterattack, and the goal that started Germany’s downfall. Great skill by Lozano with a dribble and shot, but it was the fast movement by the whole team that allowed him to shine.
Key moment:
While the dribble by Lozano was important, there was an earlier (easier to miss) key moment. Around the halfway line, Javier Hernandez gets rid of his marker with a 1–2 pass. The defender covering Lozano has to go stop Hernandez, and Germany loses the spare defender. At the same time Lozano, in full speed, gains advantage over the other defender.
Brazil vs. Serbia:
Serbia needed a win, so they were using a high defensive line. The numerical superiority came only from two Central Defenders (CD) vs a single striker: Gabriel Jesus.
With Coutinho on the ball, Jesus, marked closely by one of the CD, starts moving towards the other CD. Paulinho sees the space, starts moving slowly and then starts a run that surprises his marker.
The rest if the play is what you see in the highlights and countless replays: Coutinho makes a perfect pass and Paulinho reaches the ball just a few moments before the goalkeeper.
Key moment:
Paulinho gets ahead of his marker. From that moment on, its on Brazil to execute properly, and Serbia to hope for an error.
(some would say that Brazil did make an error: the pass was a bit too long, and a sweeper keeper like Neuer would probably get to the ball first)
Denmark vs. Australia
The playmaker turned goal scorer for the national team, Eriksen, finishes this great combination in one of the first team goals in the tournament.
Key moment:
The assist by Jorgensen, an unorthodox touch but showing amazing awareness: perfectly timed and placed for Eriksen’s run.
Belgium vs. Tunisia
Belgium has one of the best groups of players, a true Golden Generation, but they were disappointing as a team in the Euro and not impressive in the first WC match (against arguably the weakest team in the tournament — Panama).
Against Tunisia, they finally clicked, playing the beautiful team football we know they are capable of.
Key moment:
Meunier stops for a split second, then passes. Had he pass right away, the defenders would catch up; had he pass later, and Lukaku would be offside.
Spain vs Morocco
It is often said that Isco plays better for Spain than for Real Madrid. This goal, a throwback to 2010’s World Cup winning Spain, is a perfect example of why. The constant movement, the fast passes, the close control of the ball… Not all teams can do this, and no other team does it so effortlessly.
If I had to pick, this would be crowned the best team goal of the Group Stage.
Key moment:
This play is built from many moments — each pass and reception is pretty close to perfect.
Having to pick one, it’s when Iniesta touches the ball just before the defender.
That was the last chance they had of stopping this play.
Missing a goal? Leave a comment or tweet. If you want to see these animations as they are made, follow Last Row on Twitter.
