In the Round of 16, Hans Vanaken kept his composure following a goalkeeping error from Matt Freese and scored from 35 yards to put Belgium 3-1 up. Thanks in part to Vanaken’s goal, the Red Devils ultimately eased past the USA and progressed to the next round.

Anthony Elanga (Sweden v Japan): Stunner from the corner of the box

On the final matchday of the group phase, Sweden needed at least one point to ensure their progress to the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams. With an hour gone, Sweden were trailing 1-0 but then Anthony Elanga stepped up. After receiving a pass from Viktor Gyokeres, the winger cut inside from the right channel to the corner of the 18-yard box before curling home an unstoppable equaliser to send his country into the next round.

Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde v Uruguay): Free-kick from the furthest distance

Kevin Pina Goal 21′ | Uruguay v Cabo Verde | FIFA World Cup 2026™

Watch Kevin Pina goal for Cabo Verde against Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

World Cup newcomers Cabo Verde shocked the world with a goalless draw in their opening game against eventual world champions Spain, but had to wait until their second game against Uruguay for their first World Cup goal. It was well worth the wait. In the 21st minute, Kevin Pina hammered a direct free-kick low into the bottom right corner from more than 30 yards out to spark scenes of wild celebration.

Lionel Messi (Argentina v Jordan): The record-breaker

Before the start of the tournament, Brazilian legend Rivellino held the record for the most goals from outside the penalty area at World Cup finals with five. Lionel Messi had already equalled Rivellino’s record on the first matchday with an outstanding long-range effort to give his side a 1-0 lead against Algeria, before making the record his own in the third group match as he bent a clever free-kick around Jordan’s wall.

Wilson Isidor (Haiti v Morocco): Long-range goal with the fastest speed

Having suffered successive defeats without scoring in their opening two games, Haiti were still waiting for their first goal at World Cup 2026 when they faced Morocco in their final group match. The curse was lifted as early as the 10th minute courtesy of a Yassine Bounou own goal, but it was Wilson Isidor who provided the highlight of Haiti’s tournament shortly before the break: After receiving a pass from Jean-Kevin Duverne, the striker controlled the ball just outside the area before thundering an unstoppable 75mph shot into the top-left corner.

Ousmane Dembele against Morocco: Long-range goal with the highest spin rate

In the quarter-final against Morocco, France toiled for long periods before Kylian Mbappe finally broke the deadlock to put Les Bleus 1-0 ahead. Didier Deschamps’ team were not content with just one. Just a few minutes later, Ousmane Dembele dribbled to the edge of the area before placing a low shot past the keeper to make it 2-0. The ball was spinning at over 19 revolutions per second, making it impossible for Bounou to keep out despite getting his fingertips to it.

Enzo Fernandez (Argentina v England): The semi-final show-stopper

A goal’s true value can never be determined using metrics alone. That said, few are more important than one which helps a team reach the World Cup final. Enzo Fernandez scored just such a goal shortly before the end of regulation time in Argentina’s last-four clash with England. With La Albiceleste trailing 1-0, in the 85th minute Messi drew in several opposition players on the right flank before passing to Fernandez in the centre. The midfielder took a touch and drilled a powerful shot beyond Jordan Pickford to put his side back on level terms. Lautaro Martinez would go on to head a stoppage-time winner for Argentina.