Image via Complex Original
April is a time for shedding the winter coats, coming out of hibernation, and apparently scoring some sublime goals. We were treated to a full schedule of football to begin the month, with the first legs of both the Champions and Europa League quarterfinals taking place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, respectively. There was an all-Spanish affair at the Camp Nou, as Barcelona hosted Atletico for what promised to be a scintillating affair. While Jose Mourinho and Laurent Blanc locked tactical horns for the matchup between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at the Parc des Princes. It was domestic league action as usual at the weekend, with Liverpool retaining their spot atop the Barclay’s Premier League, and Real Madrid cruising to victory despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Just five domestic matches to go in England, as the race for places is entering the home stretch, and it’s still anyone’s guess who will be crowned La Liga king. From Romelu Lukaku firing Everton to within a point of Arsenal for fourth to Jose Mari’s double to down Vancouver, check out the best golazos and skills of the week.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
16. Paulinho's Deft Side-Footed Finish
Date: 3/31/2014
Match: Livorno v. Inter Milan
Competition: Serie A
Ground: Stadio Armando Picchi, Livorno, Italy
This brilliant side-footed finish from the Livorno corner put the home team on the board in the second half, and would propel them to find the equalizer and rescue a point.
15. Angel Di Maria's Cutting Ball Tees up Morata
Date: 4/5/2014
Match: Real Sociedad v. Real Madrid
Competition: La Liga
Ground: Anoeta, San Sebastian, Spain
Despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid grabbed a vital three points on their travels to the Anoeta on Saturday. This sublime pick out and pass from second-half substitute Angel Di Maria put Morata clear on goal to wrap up the 4-0 victory in style. Like a hot knife through butter, kids.
14. Javier Pastore Proves His Worth
Date: 4/2/2014
Match: Paris Saint-Germain v. Chelsea
Competition: UCL, Quarterfinals
Ground: Parc des Princes, Paris
Javier Pastore has been much maligned for his inability to make a mark on this PSG team, but he arguably scored the most important goal of the Parisians season on Wednesday night. Already up 2-1 on visitors Chelsea, Pastore scored a vital third for Laurent Blanc's men in the 93rd minute, and made the Blues' job a whole lot harder for this week's second leg clash. It doesn't hurt that he cracked the Chelsea defense on the touchline, and scored a whizzing low drive past Petr Cech, either.
13. Marcel Seip Grabs the Winner Down Under
Date: 4/1/2014
Match: Central Coast Mariners v. Beijing Guoan
Competition: AFC Champions League
Ground: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, Australia
There's definitely a bit of pinball in and around the box in the buildup to this goal, but once the final pass is floated in, Marcel Seip makes no mistake with the finish. This would prove the opener and the game winner, with Central Coast going top of group F after the 1-0 victory.
12. Romelu Lukaku Doubles Everton's Advantage
Date: 4/6/2014
Match: Everton v. Arsenal
Competition: EPL
Ground: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
If you were a Chelsea fan, would you rather have Fernando Torres up front, or this dude? Ya, us too. Lukaku cuts inside on his left, and absolutely lashes this one into the corner past a helpless Szczesny. 3-0 to the Toffees on the day, and they now find themselves just a point back of the faltering gunners for that all-important fourth spot.
11. Iniesta Threads One to Neymar For the Equalizer
Date: 4/1/2014
Match: Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: UCL, Quarterfinals
Ground: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Make no mistake, this is a lovely finish from the Brazilian, but the real bit of skill that deserves the praise is the vision and skill of Andres Iniesta. The illusionista sends Neymar through with a beautiful cutting pass with the outside of the boot, and the former Santos man makes no mistake with the finish. Honors all even going into this week's second leg.
10. Ezequiel Lavezzi's Touch, and Finish
Date: 4/2/2014
Match: Paris Saint-Germain v. Chelsea
Competition: UCL, Quarterfinals
Ground: Parc des Princes, Paris
Sublime bit of Skill from Lavezzi to chest this one down and fire off a shot on the volley inside the Chelsea area. The ball is slightly behind the Argentine, once he chests the failed clearance, but he digs his plant foot in and fires an unstoppable effort in off the underside of the bar. Four minutes in, and PSG had Mourinho shaking his head on the touchline.
9. Juan Mata's Perfectly Executed Free Kick
Date: 4/5/2014
Match: Newcastle v. Manchester United
Competition: EPL
Ground: St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
It's been a curious season for Juan Mata and Manchester United, but the Spaniard and the Red Devils looked very comfortable during their 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle at St James'. This brilliantly curled free kick is a prime example of what brought Juan Mata to the Prem, and what Moyes and Co. are hoping to see more of for the rest of this season and beyond.
8. Mauro Icardi Gives Inter the Lead
Date: 4/5/2014
Match: Inter Milan v. Bologna
Competition: Serie A
Ground: San Siro, Milan
The 21-year-old is starting to show he's a bit special by his recent displays leading the Inter attack. The Argentine was at it again on Saturday, as he skillfully bends this one in off the post from just outside the area. This special goal gave the Emilians the 2-1 lead in the 63rd, but they would have to settle for a point thanks to a goal from Kone just 10 minutes later.
7. Delgado Opens the Scoring in Basel
Date: 4/3/2014
Match: Basel v. Valencia
Competition: UEL, Quarterfinals
Ground: St. Jakob Park, Basel, Switzerland
Basel treated visitors Valencia to a proper thumping at St Jacob Park in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash on Thursday. The home side ran out 3-0 winners on the night, and this opener from Delgado was certainly the goal of the game, and quite possibly the round.
6. Alessandro Del Piero's Still Got it
Date: 4/6/2014
Match: Sydney FC v. Wellington Phoenix FC
Competition: Australian A-League
Ground: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
The 39-year-old can still do it after all these years on the pitch. The former Italian international now plies his trade for Sydney in the land down under, and while the locations change, the footballing skill stays the same. Check out this Del Piero free kick special, as the captain would net twice on Sunday to lead his side to the 4-1 win.
5. Reza Ghoochannejhad Curls One For Charlton
Date: 4/1/2014
Match: Leeds United v. Charlton Athletic
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Ground: Elland Road, Leeds, England
There was only one goal in this Championship affair at Elland Road on Tuesday, but what a goal it was. Reza, ya we're not even going to touch that sir name, grabbed all three points for the visitors on their trip to Leeds with this wonderful curling effort.
4. Daryl Horgan's Slicing Drive
Date: 4/4/2014
Match: St Patricks v. Dundalk
Competition: League of Ireland Premier Division
Ground: Richmond Park, Dublin, Ireland
This was an absolute blinder from Dundalk's Daryl Horgan, as the fourth place side embarrassed St Patrick's at their own home to the tune of 4-1. Just look at the pace and power Horgan gets on this effort, which is always slicing just inside that far post.
3. Jose Mari Slams it in Off the Post
Date: 4/5/2014
Match: Vancouver Whitecaps v. Colorado Rapids
Competition: MLS
Ground: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, MLS is officially in the building. Jose Mari netted twice in the span of three minutes to first equalize, and then steal all three points for the visitors on Saturday. Check out the match winner above, as Mari slams this one in off the post, and silences the Vancouver crowd.
2. Johan Larsson's Left-Footed Screamer
Date: 4/4/2014
Match: Elfsborg v. BK Hacken
Competition: Swedish Allsvenskanliga
Ground: Boras Arena, Boras, Sweden
Goodness, what a rocket this is from Larsson. The keeper doesn't even move for this one, and who in their right mind would blame him? Elfsborg secured three points with their 3-1 victory over Hacken, and this Blast from Larsson was a more than worthy winner. Bang!
1. Diego Goes Top Corner on Pinto
Date: 4/1/2014
Match: Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid
Competition: UCL, Quarterfinals
Ground: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
When Diego was forced on due to an injury to Diego Costa, surely no one thought this was in the offering from the Brazilian. The former Wolfsburg man winds up, takes aim, and scores quite possibly the goal of his career in terms of skill and importance. Just watch this thing of beauty.
