There was no Champions or Europa League on tap this week, but that doesn’t mean there was any lack of brilliance from the beautiful game. The Asian Champions League featured a few crackers, and the Thai first division made it’s first ever appearance on the golazos countdown. There was plenty of drama in England with Sunderland pulling off a shock victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, mutch to the dismay of Jose Mourinho. The winner came courtesy of a late penalty from Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini. Could Brendan Rodgers have planned this any better? Raheem Sterling turned in a man of the match performance for the Reds on Sunday, as they’re now just three matches from lifting their first league title in 24 years. There were great goals and assists from across the continent, from some familiar faces and a few new heroes. From Christian Eriksen’s assist show at the Lane to Rolando’s bullet header at the Ennio Tardini, get caught up with all the Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
15. Sam Larsson Serves Up a Beauty
Date: 4/17/2014
Match: IFK Goteborg v. Atvidaberg
Competition: Swedish Allsvenskan
Ground: Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
What a ball this is from Sam Larsson. Talk about serving it up on a silver platter.
14. Christian Eriksen Will Be Your Server Tonight
Date: 4/19/2014
Match: Tottenham v. Fulham
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: White Hart Lane, London
These Christian Eriksen assists are so nasty they might as well be goals. Just take a minute to appreciate the power and placement on these deliveries. Is there any doubt he's Spurs' player of the season?
13. Sebastian Giovinco Bends One in
Date: 4/14/2014
Match: Udinese v. Juventus
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
Sebastian Giovinco executes the bender to perfection on this strike, and helps the Old Lady to secure all three points in Udine.
12. Ramsey & Podolski Combine to Sink the Hammers
Date: 4/15/2014
Match: Arsenal v. West Ham
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Emirates, London
What a pass this was from Aaron Ramsey, and Podolski makes no mistake on the finish.
11. Gareth Bale is a Very Fast Man
Date: 4/16/2014
Match: Barcelona v. Real Madrid
Competition: Copa del Rey Final
Ground: Mestalla Stadium, Valencia, Spain
Gareth Bale doing his best, ‘he can’t hold me’ right here. We’re not sure if there’s a better play that encapsulates everything that is the Welsh wizard. Things are most definitely not going well for Barca right now.
10. Rolando Heads Inter in Front
Date: 4/19/2014
Match: Parma v. Inter Milan
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy
We're not normally fans of throwing headers on the countdown, but this bullet from Rolando would rival some of the better feet in Europe. He goes top corner with his diving effort, and gives the keeper no chance at even attempting a save.
9. Fredy Guarin Lashes One Home Late
Date: 4/19/2014
Match: Parma v. Inter Milan
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy
Fredy Guarin has shown on more than one occasion that he's capable of producing a bit of magic, and he was at it again in Parma this weekend. This late goal ensured Inter would be returning home with all three points.
8. Hector Jiminez Grabs a Vital Point For the Crew
Date: 4/19/2014
Match: Columbus Crew v. D.C. United
Competition: MLS
Ground: Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sensational finish from Hector Jiminez to finish off the Columbus counter in style, and earn a valuable late point for the home side.
7. Andre Gomes With the Skills That Kills
Date: 4/16/2014
Match: Benfica v. Porto
Competition: Taca de Portugal Semifinals
Ground: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
What a beautiful piece of individual skill from Andre Gomes. First the flick over his defender, then the low-driven shot past the keeper.
6. Viliam Macko With the Rabona
Date: 4/19/2014
Match: BBCU v. Ang Thong
Competition: Thai Division 1
Ground: Thai Army Sports Stadium, Bangkok
We don't have any words for the audacity of this shot from Viliam Macko. Is it a pass or a shot? Does anyone care?
5. Abdulfattah Asiri Blasts Ittihad Ahead
Date: 4/15/2014
Match: Al Ittihad v. Tractorsazi Tabriz
Competition: Asian Champions League
Ground: King Abdul Aziz Stadium, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Asian Champions League was in full flight this week, and with goals like these the competition gave Europe a real run for it's money. What a blast from the Al Ittihad man.
4. Saito Manabu's Brilliant Finish From the Edge of the 18
Date: 4/15/2014
Match: Yokohama F. Marinos v. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Competition: Asian Champions League
Ground: Yokohama International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
The Jeonbuk keeper doesn't even take a step to save this one, not that it would have mattered. What a blast from Saito.
3. Raheem Sterling is Only 19, Folks
Date: 4/20/2014
Match: Norwich v. Liverpool
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Carrow Road, Norwich, England
Raheem Sterling has played like a man possessed for the second half of Liverpool's season, and has become one of the best young players in Europe in the process. What a goal this was to start match just four minutes in, and help the Reds to another three points.
2. Eero Markkanen's Unstoppable Drive
Date: 4/16/2014
Match: Djurgarden v. AIK
Competition: Swedish Allsvenskan
Ground: Tele2 Arena, Stockholm
Oh me, oh my. This has to be one of the goals of the season in Europe. Markkenen gets his body behind this one, and unleashes an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
1. Adam Reach's Perfect Placement
Date: 4/18/2014
Match: Bradford City v. Peterborough United
Competition: English Football League One
Ground: Valley Parade, Bradford, England
Adam Reach banged in this Pirlo-esque free kick with some flair on Friday. This blast is absolutely inch perfect from the Bradford City man, and worthy of the winner.
