Day 7 wasn’t the biggest day in the 2018 World Cup in terms of goal numbers. In fact, the three goals scored on the day make it the quietest day so far.
Which one was the best of the day? And which one broke the most hearts? Let’s rank them.
3. Diego Costa’s double-deflection goal against Iran
#MundialTelemundo Así lo narró @CopanAlvarez ¿Autogol o no? ¡La fortuna juega a favor de #ESP y tras un rebote en el área, @diegocosta abre el marcador frente a #IRN pic.twitter.com/itV8UmiuxR
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2018
This is probably one of the stranger goals we’ll see in this World Cup, and one that arguably should have been registered as an own goal despite the initial decision going in Costa’s favor. His shot rebounded off not one but two Iranian defenders, with the first deflection actually taking it away from goal before the second one sent it to the back of the net. It was an awful stroke of luck for an Iran team that had played very well in the match.
2. Luis Suarez’ toe poke of doom
#MundialTelemundo Así lo narró @sadovnik1965 ¿Qué le pasó al portero de #KSA ? Gracias a ese regalo, @LuisSuarez9 la empuja y abre el marcador a favor de #URU pic.twitter.com/EdM8urKniL
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2018
This one was made possible as much by Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper over-committing to the initial ball in as by Suarez’ finish, but it’s still a good one. That kind of instinctual fling is not something many strikers can pull off that well, so full credit to Suarez for making it work.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo’s thumping header
#MundialTelemundo Así lo narró @AndresCantorGOL ¿Quién más sino @Cristiano ? Gran remate de cabeza para adelantar a #POR en el marcador frente a #MAR pic.twitter.com/u46VLJNjUq
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2018
It’s not the prettiest goal Ronaldo has ever scored — it’s not even his best of the 2018 World Cup so far. But the way he just kind of slid out and dove at the ball almost through his marker is impressive in how smooth it was, and the actual execution of the header wasn’t easy. Plus it got the job done, securing a 1-0 win for Portugal that should help get them through to the knockout rounds.