If this year’s football offering was a film script – and it had not have been leaked by a vengeful agent or subjected to blackmail by the North Korean government – you could not have written one like it.
Keep scrolling for some previously unthinkable on-field moments that we’ll never forget about 2014 (all in CHRONOLOGICAL order, folks).
1. Chelsea blow title race wide open after Steven Gerrard slips
It’s the goal everyone is still singing about – the one when bumbling striker Demba Ba expertly steered a half-strength Chelsea side on course for a dramatic victory at Anfield, crippling Liverpool’s title ambitions.
But, naturally, it was Steven Gerrard’s gaffe to gift him the opportunity, the Reds skipper failing to adjust his feet from recovering a wayward pass, which really captured the imagination.
2. Gareth Bale heads priceless goal to clinch Champions League
Gareth Bale nodded Real Madrid in front with 110 minutes gone (Picture: Laurence Griffiths)
Football is awash with fairytales, but a young man from Cardiff finding the winner in extra-time to give Real Madrid a historic 10th European title against their local rivals – amazing.
Granted, Bale’s £85million price tag might spoil some of the magic, though this timely header was worth every penny to Los Blancos. Not only is the goal a case study in composed aerial finishing, it was decisive for his team and devastating for Atletico Madrid.
More bad news for tiki-taka. Spectacle, speed and strength are still enduring qualities in football, and when they combine to produce a stunning winner five minutes from the end of a cup final the result is irresistible, as was the commentary from Real’s in house television crew. Xabi Alonso confessed he had never seen a goal quite like it, and it is doubtful anyone else in the Mestalla had either.
3. Flying Robin van Persie helps Holland destroy Spain
Robin van Persie began the 5-1 rout of Spain with a stunning header (Photo: Ryan Pierse)
If you have a soft spot for the spectacular, then Robin van Persie arching through the air to head home Holland’s equaliser against Spain deserves a mention for acrobatics alone.
The timing, the elevation, the contact for the goal was all so perfect it could never be repeated – and, boy, everyone from awestruck schoolchildren to Arsene Wenger has had a go.
Incredibly though, it was just one of five Holland breakthroughs which ripped Spain apart and rocked tiki-taka to its core as Robin and (Arjen) Robben came calling, completely dismantling La Roja’s defence.
Five days later, the holders were out of the World Cup, meaning that the 2010 runners-up had secured their revenge in sensational style.
4. Germany stun World Cup hosts Brazil 7-1 en route to brilliance
David Luiz and Luiz Gustavo were amongst the helpless Brazilian side (Photo: Reuters)
When it comes down to it, sport really is all about winners and losers – and there has never been a match to tell you that quite like this one.
Germany were earth-shatteringly good, scoring four goals in six incredible first-half minutes, showing why – even with all the individual stars taking part that summer – they were the team of the tournament and deserved to become the world champions.
In the end it was all too much for Brazil: a perfect storm of superhuman opponents, absent stalwarts in Neymar and Thiago Silva, and a crippling pressure from the home crowd.
Chelsea’s Oscar did net a fine consolation, but there was never any hope of restoring sanity to the scoreline.
5. Sergio Aguero hat-trick rescues Manchester City’s European hopes
Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick helped Manchester City beat Bayern Munich (Picture AP)
Manchester City were in the last chance saloon once again: bottom of their Champions League group, needing a result against Bayern Munich to give them any prospect of qualifying, 2-1 down with five minutes left.
And so it was, until two last-minute goals from Sergio Aguero – of course it had to be Aguerooooo – turned defeat into an unforgettable victory.
Having won and converted a penalty in the first half, the Argentinian magician completed a hat-trick of hat-tricks for the Blues with typically laser-like strikes past Manuel Neuer.
As always with City’s chronic saviour, though, the crucial outcome of the match made it far, far more impressive.
Gotze scores winner for Germany in final
This World Cup has been sublime, the matches have been great, tonight was terrific to watch and the goal that won the World Cup was extra special.
Germany are phenomenal at getting the job done - their team ethos, their great players. It was a great goal to win the final - a great run and cross from Schurrle and a great volley from Gotze. That was the hardest chance of the lot. He knew he was going to score.
This isn't a project started last year by the German FA. It's something that has been in the making for the last 10-12 years. These players have played together at international youth level, under-21 level. Now they're world champions. England fans will be watching this and asking 'can we do this?'
Gotze has been promising to do something like this in a German shirt for a while. They love him in Germany, he is a wonder kid. Argentina are going to have nightmares because they had great chances but couldn't score.
Kids watching this game wanted to see Messi do something special. He had a big chance but his time didn't come. But Messi has done things at club level that others have come nowhere near. It's unfortunate he was unable to produce here.
Credits to metro.co.uk
