GIF Gallery: The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week

The World Cup is already off to an unbelievable start, what were the best goals, assistsm and skills of the opening weekend?

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After all the waiting and wondering, the 2014 FIFA World Cup finally got underway in Brazil this week. The hosts, as they always do, opened the tournament on Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Group A opponents Croatia in Sao Paulo, that wasn't without it's share of controversy. *Ian Darke voice* The excitement only continued on Friday, as the Netherlands shocked the world by dismantling the defending champions and No. 1 team in the world, Spain, by a score of 5-1. And it really could've been six or seven by the time all was said and done. Saturday featured four matches, with England v. Italy and Cote d'Ivoire v. Japan providing narrow 2-1 outcomes, while Colombia handled Greece 3-0 despite the absence of striker Radamel Falcao. The shock of the day, though, belonged to Los Ticos of Costa Rica, who dispatched South American giants Uruguay by a final of 3-1. Just three days in and we've already seen drama, upsets, and some cracking goals. From Keisuke Honda's left-footed blast against Cote d'Ivoire to Robin van Persie's acrobatic header against Spain, check out The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.  

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

14. Daniel Sturridge Draws England Level With the Azzurri

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: England v. Italy
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil

Italy opened the scoring first in the Amazon thanks to a brilliant strike from Claudio Marchisio on 35 minutes, but the response from England was instantaneous. Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling, who terrorized the flanks most of the match, plays a great ball through to Wayne Rooney, who places his cutting pass for Daniel Sturridge on a silver platter just two minutes after Marchisio's goal.

13. Oscar Puts the Final Nail in Croatia's Coffin

Date: 6/12/2014
Match: Brazil v. Croatia
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo

The opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup wasn't without controversy thanks to a questionable penalty awarded to the hosts after falling behind 1-0. After going ahead 2-1, though, Oscar made sure of all three points with this sneaky little toe poke past an outstretched Petikosa in goal.

12. Mads Stokkelien Lashes Home From Close Range

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: New York Cosmos v. New York Red Bulls
Competition: US Open Cup
Ground: James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, N.Y.

The New York Cosmos may play in a league that's considered a tier below MLS, but there was no doubt who the better team was when they squared off against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. The Cosmos shutout the visitors 3-0, with this Mads Stokkelien strike in the eighth minute serving as the match winner.

11. Marco Urena Seals Los Ticos Upset of Uruguay

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Uruguay v. Costa Rica
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil

Uruguay were without their talisman striker Luis Suarez on Saturday, and perhaps that should've been a sign of things to come. Despite Edinson Cavani putting Uruguay on the board first thanks to a penalty, Costa Rica struck three times to sink their Group D opponents. This goal from Marco Urena capped the upset, as he's wonderfully played in by man of the match Joel Campbell, and skillfully passes the ball past Muslera into the back of the net to finish the victory off in style.

10. Tim Cahill Puts the Socceroos on the Board Against Chile

Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Chile v. Australia
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil

Chile quickly jumped out to a two-goal lead in their Group B opener against Australia, but they were pegged back by this towering header from the Socceroos all-time leading scorer. Chile would add a third in the second half, though, and take home all three points to start their tournament on a high note.

9. Jordan Ayew Finishes Off The Black Stars Attack

Date: 6/9/2014
Match: Ghana v. South Korea
Competition: International Friendly
Ground: Sun Life Stadium, Miami

Ghana absolutely thumped South Korea in their final World Cup tune up, treating the Miami crowd to a 4-0 dressing down of the Reds once all was said an done. Jordan Ayew tallied a hat trick on the night for his efforts, with this strike being the pick of the bunch.

8. Wilfried Bony's Perfectly Redirected Finish

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Cote d'Ivoire v. Japan
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Japan may have gotten on the board first in their Group E opener against Cote d'Ivoire, but two headers in the span of two minutes took Les Elephants from no points to three just like that. Bony does ever so well to throw himself at this cross, and perfectly guide the ball into the back of the net.

7. Martin Odegaard Wins it For Stromsgodset

Date: 6/9/2014
Match: Stromsgodset v. Haugesund
Competition: Norwegian Eliteserien
Ground: Marienlyst Stadion, Drammen, Norway

Some sublime passing and a few deft moves from Martin Odegaard create the opportunity for this terrific finish from the Norwegian. The effort alone is pretty sensational, but add into the mix that this was the game winner and this kid is just 15 years old, and, well, let's just say the future is bright.

6. Arjen Robben Plays the Spanish Defense Like a Fiddle

Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Spain v. Nederlands
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil

The undisputed shock of the tournament so far, the Dutch dispatched world No. 1 Spain by a final score of 5-1, despite going down 1-0 to start the match. Casillas looked shaky in goal, Ramos played like he didn't want to be there, and Fernando Torres continued to struggle in front of goal. This brilliant take down, turn, and finish from Arjen Robben put the Dutch on top 2-1, and they would cruise from there.

5. Claudio Marchisio Thumps Italy Ahead in the Amazon

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: England v. Italy
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil

Despite concerns over the pitch ahead of kickoff, England and Italy provided plenty of excitement on Saturday in Manaus. The opening goal came courtesy of this terrific strike from Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio on 35 minutes. Just his fourth goal for the Azzurri in international competition, this is surely a moment he'll never forget.

4. Joel Campbell's Bullet Brings Costa Rica Level

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Uruguay v. Costa Rica
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil

The main man behind Costa Rica's upset of South American giants Uruguay has to be Arsenal's Joel Campbell. The striker would play provider later in the match, but first he scored this cracking left-footed volley to level the match early in the second half. Campbell coolly collects this pass onto his chest, and leaves Muslera with no chance at even attempting a save.

3. Jorge Valdivia Makes No Mistake With His Finish

Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Chile v. Australia
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil

The scorer of Chile's second goal in less than two minutes, Jorge Valdivia finds himself with all the time and space in the world to get his shot away. Alexis Sanchez, who scored Chile's first, turned provider as he finds Valdivia, and Valdivia finds the top corner.

2. Robin van Persie Heads Holland Back Into the Match

Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Spain v. Nederlands
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil

If there were any doubts surrounding the fitness of Robin van Persie going into this World Cup, surely those were erased during Holland's beat down of defending champions Spain. The flying dutchmen puts his whole body into this acrobatic header, and leaves Casillas in no man's land with no chance at making a save. This goal brought the Dutch level at 1-1, and signaled the beginning of the end for the Spanish.

1. Keisuke Honda's Left-Footed Blast Opens the Scoring in Recife

Date: 6/14/2014
Match: Cote d'Ivoire v. Japan
Competition: World Cup Group Stage
Ground: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Cote d'Ivoire had the last laugh on Saturday night in Recife, but this left-footed blast from Keisuke Honda has to be one of the early goals of the tournament. The AC Milan man frees himself up with his first touch, and makes no mistake with this finish into the top corner. The keeper puts a hand up, but that's more of a wave goodbye than it is an effort at making a save.

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