Wout Weghorst, Netherlands vs Argentina, Quarter-final
It was not spectacular and it did not take extraordinary technique, but Wout Weghorst’s equaliser in the 11th minute of injury time was a moment of sheer impudence and high drama.
Down 2-1 and with nothing left on the clock, the Dutch got a free kick 5m outside the penalty area. Argentina lined up a five-man defensive wall and the Dutch placed a three-man wall of their own alongside them.
But instead of the expected last-gasp shot on goal, Teun Koopmeiners slipped a pass to Weghorst, who moved out of the Dutch wall and turned to poke the ball in and force extra-time.
It was a classic training ground routine, executed to perfection, but the dazed Argentines recovered to win the shootout and progress.
Goncalo Ramos, Portugal vs Switzerland, Round of 16
Portugal coach Fernando Santos had made the big decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and in his place start the 21-year-old Benfica forward who had only made his debut in a pre-tournament friendly.
But Santos’ selection choice proved inspired with Ramos putting Portugal ahead in the 17th minute with a blistering left-foot strike on the turn from the tightest of angles.
The ball whistled past helpless Swiss keeper Yann Sommer, who had barely moved, and Ramos went on to score a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
Luis Chavez, Mexico vs Saudi Arabia, Group C
There have been very few long-range goals at this World Cup and not many from free kicks either, but Luis Chavez showed how both are done with a wonderful strike.
More than 25m out, Chavez struck his direct free kick to perfection, curling the ball high over the wall but with speed and whip that sent it beyond the reach of the diving Mohammed Al-Owais.
It proved to be in vain, as Mexico were eliminated despite beating the Saudis 2-1 in their final group game, but Chavez had shown that while the data-crunchers may discourage it, there is something wonderful about a perfectly struck free-kick goal.
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