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

We were left absolutely tingling from all of the action that this past week in soccer produced. Cup competition from Spain, France, and Italy provided enough drama to make the work week, well, less miserable than we usually feel on a Wednesday. Manchester City and Chelsea did battle in the final fixture of last week’s round of Premier League matches, with title implications on the line, and the unlikeliest of participants having the final say. The domestic top flights returned at the weekend with a full slate of matches across Europe, as title races and European places hang in the balance. Believe it or not, just 13 matches remain in the EPL, and with the knockout stages of the Champions League just on the horizon, squads are about to be put to the sword in more ways than one. From Martin Skrtel doing his part to torch Arsenal at Anfield to Kevin Strootman’s rendition of Rocket Man in Rome, buckle up and check out the latest edition of GIF Gallery: The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Real Madrid v. Villareal
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

You want skill moves? We got your skill moves right here. Just watch the little Croatian wizard work his magic to escape the attempted tackles of seemingly the entire Villareal squad. Warning: Ankles and pride were hurt in the making of this GIF.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Feyenoord v. NEC Nijmegen
Competition: Dutch Eredivisie
Ground: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Give us a break on the quality of the GIF, because we think the quality of this goal more than makes up for it. This is a delightfully teased cross from the Feyenoord winger, and Pelle—no relation to the GOAT—doesn't need to think twice as he gets his boot on it and finds the back of the net with his perfectly placed volley. Hup, Holland!

Date: 2/3/2014
Match: Manchester City v. Chelsea
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Monday's clash between City and Chelsea was billed as a massive fixture with regards to the Premier League title chase. So it would figure that amidst all the attacking power that both clubs possess, the game-winner, and only goal of the match, would come courtesy of full back, Branislav Ivanovic. A good goal is a good goal, regardless of who scores.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Almeria v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Juegos Mediterráneos, Almeria, Spain

Is it a cross, or is it a shot? Well, Verza and Alemeria could care less, because whatever the intention, this goal was the final nail in Atletico's coffin at the weekend. Great little layoff to set up Verza for the shot, we mean pass, no wait. This is what happens when Thibaut Courtois is missing between the sticks.

Date: 2/9/2014
Match: Barcelona B v. Tenerife
Competition: Spanish Segunda Division
Ground: Mini Estadi, Barcelona, Spain

Yes, Barcelona is so freakin' good they have another entire squad in the second division of Spanish football. Denis Suarez showcases his free kick skills with this sensational curler against Tenerife. Oh, look, there's the keeper being about as useful as a mop and bucket in goal. Barca's roots run deep, people.

Date: 2/5/2014
Match: Real Madrid v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: Copa del Rey
Ground: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

This week presented us with a grand opportunity to showcase some lovely assists from the pitch. See above. Angel di Maria picks out the run of Real Madrid's new boy wonder in Jese, and lays a perfectly weighted ball into his path. The pass, with the outside of the boot no less, is delightful, and the finish is cooler than the other side of the pillow.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Liverpool v. Arsenal
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England

Headers normally aren't glorious or particularly note-worthy for that matter, but this looping finish from Liverpool center back, Martin Skrtel, really does deserve a shout. Check out how low Skrtel has to get to connect with the corner, yet he still beats the keeper and the defender on the line to find the top corner. This was Skrtel's second goal in the opening 10 minutes of a very one-sided fixture.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Werder Bremen v. Borussia Dortmund
Competition: Bundesliga
Ground: Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany

This is a goal that will make Jurgen Klopp smile in his sleep. Check out the terrific team build up from Dortmund, who come flooding out of their own half on the attack. The passing and movement is free flowing, and the final back heel flick sets the black and yellow up for the finish they deserve. The result of this one was never really in doubt.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Chelsea v. Newcastle
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: Stamford Bridge, London

Eden Hazard is the real deal, folks. A hat trick on the day, as Chelsea thoroughly dispatched Newcastle at the Bridge, this second goal from the Belgian was the highlight of the match. Just watch as the former Lille star cuts into the box, lays it off to Eto'o, continues his run, and receives a cheeky back heel flick from the Cameroonian before passing the ball into the back of the net. According to 'The Special One' Chelsea still aren't title contenders. Okay, Jose.

Date: 2/3/2014
Match: Genoa v. Sampdoria
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy

Check out this wonderfully worked team goal from Sampdoria. The move starts with a terrific trap by Maxi Lopez, after he's picked out by his teammate from just inside the attacking half. Then, Maxi plays a glorious little one-two before holding off the defender and firing home. The away supporters went bonkers in Genoa.

Date: 2/3/2014
Match: Villarreal v. Osasuna
Competition: La Liga
Ground: El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain

We won't front, we had no idea who Oriol Riera was before Osasuna's clash with Villareal, but we do now. It's funny how a ridiculous back heel flick golazo will make people pay attention all of the sudden. Go figure, right? The finish off the post is worthy of all the plaudits in the world, but the keeper's, 'did you really just pull that move on me' face, says it all.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Valencia v. Real Betis
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain

This is an absolutely glorious counter attack by Valencia, like really some sixth sense shit here. Just marvel at that last perfectly weighted flick on for Feghouli, who still has plenty of work to do before finding the back of the net. The Algerian fakes the last defender, and then unleashes an absolute thumper into the top corner. What a move from Los Che.

Date: 2/4/2014
Match: Nantes v. Paris Saint-Germain
Competition: Coupe de Ligue
Ground: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France

If this isn't a classic Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal, then we don't know what is. The giant Swede shows the awareness to jump on the lose clearance, get his measurements inch-perfect, and fire just over the outstretched keeper, all within seconds. Ya'll be doing this in FIFA on the reg, but this is the real world, or maybe it's just Zlatan's world.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Real Madrid v. Villareal
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

It was a feisty encounter between Real Madrid and Villareal at the Bernabeu on Saturday. And while Los Blancos came out with the 4-2 victory, the result had to be in doubt for the Madridistas after this terrific Giovani dos Santos free kick. The Mexican international gets the perfect height and bend on the ball, which leaves Diego Lopez clutching at air.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Southampton v. Stoke
Competition: English Premier League
Ground: St Mary's, Southampton, England

The goals were flying in at St. Mary's on Saturday, and this Rickie Lambert free kick had to be the pick of the bunch. The Englishman nails it spot on, as he gets the perfect height and curl on the ball in order to smack it off the post and in. The points were shared, but the highlight goes solely to Rickie.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Go Ahead Eagles v. AZ Alkmaar
Competition: Dutch Eredivisie
Ground: De Adelaarshorst, Deventer, Netherlands

Yes, the Go Ahead Eagles really are a team in the top flight of Dutch football. Apparently, they also have some talent on the squad if this goal is anything to go by. Doke Schmidt unleashes a 30-yard rocket that bangs off the post and into the back of the net, leaving the AZ keeper with no chance at making the save. Go ahead, Doke, take a bow.

Date: 2/5/2014
Match: Roma v. Napoli
Competition: Coppa Italia
Ground: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Similar to Juan Vargas' left-footed blast, this goal from Kevin Strootman is goal bound from the moment it leaves his boot. The Dutchman gets everything behind this one, and executes perfectly as the ball just takes that final dip in the end. We really could watch this one over, and over again, and we know you will too.

Date: 2/8/2014
Match: Napoli v. AC Milan
Competition: Serie A
Ground: San Paolo, Naples, Italy

Just a casual 30-yard dipper perfectly placed into the side netting for Gokhan Inler. No big deal, right? Good Lord, this thing flies into the back of the net so quick that Abate doesn't even take a step. Seriously, don't even watch the goal, just watch Abate standing in the center of his goal. What a sublime piece of skill from the Swiss international.

Date: 2/4/2014
Match: Udinese v. Fiorentina
Competition: Coppa Italia
Ground: Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy

Okay, Juan Vargas, we see you. The Peruvian only had eyes for goal when this ball is played into him, and from the looks of it he's got perfect 20/20 vision. Vargas uncorks an absolute screamer into the top corner. Hell, two keepers probably wouldn't have been able to keep this thing out. Watch, applaud, and repeat.