While Rodriguez' goal was a superb individual effort, this was probably the team goal of the tournament. It involved 24 passes and was breathtaking in its intricacy and execution.
BERLIN: Best goals of the World Cup finals:-
Maxi Rodriguez (ARG) v Mexico
Suddenly the Argentinians looked beatable as Mexico led and were then pegged back at 1-1 in their second round clash. The match looked like it was heading for penalties and it needed something special to break the deadlock. Rodriguez came up with it in breathtaking style. Taking down Juan Pablo Sorin's pass the Atletico Madrid midfielder looked up and volleyed it from well outside the area from the right past a stunned Oswaldo Sanchez to secure a 2-1 victory. His World Cup was to end in shame, picking up a two match ban for hitting a German player after the penalties loss to the hosts.
Esteban Cambiasso (ARG) v Serbia and Montenegro
While Rodriguez' goal was a superb individual effort, this was probably the team goal of the tournament. It involved 24 passes and was breathtaking in its intricacy and execution. Cambiasso wouldn't have been the punters choice to be at the end of it having been a rare goalscorer for the team in over 20 appearances. However he was and the Inter Milan midfielder let all the upset over a personal problem that had been dogging him release itself with his celebration. He was to fall to earth later in the finals as he had his penalty saved in the shootout by Jens Lehmann which handed the hosts victory.
Fabio Grosso (ITA) v Germany
The Palermo defender had already been pivotal in Italy beating Australia falling over a prostrate Lucas Neill's leg to win a debatable injury-time penalty. However his contribution a minute from the end of extra-time in the semi-final was divine, Andrea Pirlo's slide rule pass into the box found him and without hesitating he curled a left-footer past Jens Lehmann - not bad for only his second ever goal for the Azzurri and his celebration was as impressive holding his hand to his ear and evoking memories of Marco Tardelli's in the 1982 final - also a victory over Germany.
Bakary Kone (CIV) v The Netherlands
Sepp Blatter was moved to say that Ivory Coast played the best football of the African nations even if they went out in the first phase. But for woeful finishing they might have progressed, however, Kone was an exception with his brilliant effort against the Dutch. Seizing on the ball outside the area the Nice striker was allowed to run across the face of the edge of the penalty box before drilling an excellent shot high beyond Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
Joe Cole (ENG) v Sweden
There weren't too many high points to England's campaign with their much vaunted attacking midfielders especially disappointing. However unlike his Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, 25-year-old Cole did score and a special effort at that in the first round match. A headed clearance fell to him outside the area, Cole chested to control and then uncorked a looping right foot volley that flew into the top corner although Andreas Isaksson got a hand to it.
Ronaldo (BRA) v Ghana
Probably not the the greatest of his career but worthy of mention simply because the much harassed and criticised Brazilian striker's goal took him past Gerd Muller's World Cup finals record of 14. The 29-year-old latched onto Kaka's defence-splitting pass in the fifth minute of the second round clash which left him one on one with Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who he rounded easily and slid the ball into the net. "I want more and more and more!" beamed Ronaldo, for once not talking about food but goals. However, France ensured he will have to wait another four years for that - if his body can take it.
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