From La Liga to Major League Soccer, to the Premier League and the Women’s World Cup, 2015 has already produced a bumper crop of superb team goals, dipping long-range shots, and some gorgeous individual technique. Yes, Lionel Messi made the list twice, but he’s joined by the likes of a 32 year old US women’s national team player, a Chelsea loanee, and a Real Salt Lake striker. The second half of this year will have a lot to live up to (and no doubt will). Please enjoy, in chronological order, the best goals of 2015 so far. If we’ve missed any, add them below!
10. Marcelo for Real Madrid against Schalke
This round of 16 tie with Schalke may have been otherwise unremarkable save for Marcelo’s stunning strike from a spectacular Ronaldo assist, a shot that seemed to take a straight line to the roof of the 19 year old Timon Wellenreuther’s net. As Daryl Grove wrote at the time, “If not for the net, that ball would still be rising.”
9. Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool against Southampton
Only three minutes in against a solid Southampton side in the Premier League, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho liked his chances unmarked on the edge of the final third. His shot produced a crossbar bouncer of unparalleled beauty.
8. Patrick Bamford for Middlesbrough against Millwall
Though the 21 year old Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford rightfully took credit for his lashed in shot, this goal was all about team effort. A brilliant long pass, a lovely bit of ball juggling and a no look pass, a dummy and a whipped in finish, this peach of a goal put Middlesbrough in the social media meat grinder for a while.
7. Charlie Adam for Stoke against Chelsea
Though Chelsea were well on their way to a Premier League title at this point in the season, Stoke City’s Charlie Adam would not be awed by the likes of Thibaut Courtois. His 45th minute shot from before the halfway line stunned the Stamford Bridge faithful.
6. Obafemi Martins for Seattle against Colorado
Oba Martins could have simply followed through on this long pass from Andy Rose, but then he would have had to work his magic on a bad angle. No matter! The Nigerian striker simply turned the other way, and stunned the away crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
5. Lionel Messi for Barcelona against Bayern Munich
The second goal in a Messi brace in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against one of the best teams in the world in Bayern Munich. All in a day’s work for the Argentine, who reduced Jerome Boateng to a dust cloud.
4. Lionel Messi for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao
What’s this? Messi again you say? The month of May proved productive for the Barcelona striker, and this goal was on another level of brilliance. It’s among the best, if not the best, Messigol ever scored. In the Copa del Rey final, too!
3. Olmes Garcia for Real Salt Lake against Columbus
Pass, backheel chip, header, side footed goal. There are set-pieces, and then there are Set-Pieces. Lovely when they come off perfectly as planned.
2. Eduardo Vargas for Chile against Peru
The QPR loanee didn’t have a great season with his West London club, but did manage to produce one of the best goals of the Copa America tournament this summer, in a semifinal against Peru. Chile would go on to win the whole damn thing.
1. Carli Lloyd for USA against Japan
A goal. From the halfway line. To cap off a hat trick. Within the first 16 minutes of the game. In a World Cup final. The end. Good night.