Goals of the year: long-range stunners, joyful skills and outrageous finishes
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From thunderbolts to delicate dinks, chips and flicks, via team goals and more – enjoy our pick of 2024’s best goals. Here’s a sublime wallop from just inside his own half by Heracles’ Mario Engels against Ajax on 21 October. Unfortunately his side let their lead slip and lost 4-3.
![[J.League footballer scores amazing goal from halfway line – video]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0f6e1938ad67932f9787e3c1dfe5c652abefc78d/219_123_1701_957/1701.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
This long-range effort on 1 June was measured at 62 yards and scored by Real Salt Lake’s Chicho Arango in a 5-1 rout of Austin FC in MLS. It’s accompanied by some wonderful commentary too: “Chichooooooooooooo!”. Back to 3 April and a goal from Urawa Red Diamonds’ Thiago Santana in the J. League that is all the more impressive because it was struck while he was on the run, making it whip viciously into the top-right corner of the goal. Bravo!.
![[Antoine Griezmann with a graceful swivel.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/04a14971ca839ebd439370dffc84cedd21b8e21f/0_0_5553_3701/master/5553.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Sticking with the J.League and this match-winning goal by Avispa Fukuoka forward Shahab Zahedi came from a ridiculous distance. His eagle eyes spotted Gamba Osaka’s goalkeeper off his line and his thunderous right boot did the rest. And here’s Moisés Caicedo for Chelsea against Bournemouth. Woof!.
![[Player stuns opponent with skilled backheel flick to score brilliant goal – video]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/987be357c9acef105defe71715a752086619cf28/0_0_1920_1080/1920.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
A nutmeg and powerful dribble to the edge of the box with a top-corner finish. Take a bow, Melbourne Victory’s Bruno Fornaroli. Hannah Bennison swivels on the edge of the area and smashes an unstoppable shot in off the bar against Manchester City back in March.
Bolton’s Paris Maghoma sends Charlton’s defenders running to the wrong fire twice before curling the ball into the corner in a thrilling 3-3 draw in February. Who else has seen this filth? Jaden Philogene earned a Puskas nomination with this outrageous rabona finish for Hull City against Rotherham.
