Top 100 World Cup Moments (From the Aussie P.O.V.): 76 – Argentina’s 25 Pass Wonder Goal (2006)

You see all kinds of goals in the world cup. There’s the towering headers from corners and free kicks like Materazzi’s against France in the final in Germany, the quickly taken goal by the Argies against England in 1998 and Beckham’s redeeming penalty in 2002 against said Argies.

Then there are goals that are pure beauty. Goals that you can watch over and over again because of their artistic brilliance and timing. The second goal by Argentina in their mauling of Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup is one of these goals, a classic of the highest caliber and most definitely the best goal of this tournament and one for all time.

Argentina had got past the Ivory Coast 2-1 in the group of death and took on a Serbian side that had in no way disgraced themselves in their 1-0 loss to a disjointed Dutch team in their opening match. Argentina were anything but disjointed in this clash under the Gelsenkirchen roof and looked like true champions as they destroyed the poor Serbs.

Winger Maxi Rodriguez had opened the scoring after only seven minutes and then switched wings after Lucho Gonzalez was injured which led to the arrival of Esteban Cambiasso off the bench even if another holding midfielder in Javier Mascherano was already on the pitch.

To go in to a blow by blow account of the goal would take forever but if you can stay with me (or look it up on Youtube) it started with legendary captain Roberto Ayala starting the Argies move that strung together an amazing 23 passes in the order of Riquelme – Maxi Rodriguez – Sorin – Maxi Rodriguez – Sorin – Mascherano – Riquelme – Heinze – Cambiasso – Mascherano – Maxi Rodriguez – Sorin – Maxi Rodriguez – Cambiasso – Riquelme – Ayala – Sorin – Saviola – Maxi Rodriguez – Saviola – Cambiasso.

Argentina teased and drew out the lumbering prey before a ball in to the area that Hernan Crespo back heeled to Cambiasso who got a first shot in and launched the ball in to the roof of the net to a deafening roar. A truly brilliant goal that must even had the most hate filled Brazilian or Englishman.

This goal knocked the hell out of Serbia and Montenegro and the poor bastards were given the runaround as Argentina put another four past them and confirm their spot in the second round in front of Diego Maradona and his entourage in the stands.

An untimely injury to keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri (that meant Leo Messi couldn’t come off the bench because of all 3 subs being used) in the quarterfinal in Berlin against Germany saw them get eliminated on penalties and their best chance at winning the thing since 1990 was gone but they sure left an impression with some of their performances.

Maxi Rodriguez’s goal against Mexico possibly the second best goal of the tournament behind Cambiasso and Argentina’s memorable wonder goal that truly as a memorable moment.

Watch it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R_iYLca2gc