It is through becoming the champions of the world of soccer that spectators can appreciate the pure skill that soccer players possess.
Think back to The Netherlands' Giovanni van Bronckhorst's goal in their semifinal game against Uruguay. It was at least 25 yards away from the net and was placed perfectly, snug in the top right corner of the net.
It was the goal of the tournament and the amount of momentum behind both the physical kick and the emotional boost it provided is unmatched in professional sports. It spurred the Netherlands forward and was the play that helped them win and carry on to the final.
Take a step back from the actual strike by van Bronckhorst's foot and take in all the elements surrounding the shot before it was taken.
With 22 players on the field, when a goal is scored, it has to be perfect. In my reason number 5 soccer is the best sport, I show the uncertainty of every moment in a soccer match. Eleven opponents is a lot of bodies to go through. Passes, lobs, crosses and finally the shots need to be perfect. If a team chooses, they can keep all 11 bodies on defense, making it extremely difficult to get a shot on net without it being deflected or in a position that the goalie is already in, ready to make the save.
Van Bronckhorst's goal defied perfection. It started with a cross from the opposite side of the field, followed by a perfect back heel flick that continued to the perfect amount of dribbling forward and passing in a triangle to get it to the open van Bronckhorst who also defied perfection with not jus this positioning and timing, but with just the right amount of touches before the perfect shot.
So much perfection gives me shivers.
So many other goals during the tournament followed suit. In fact, all of them did. Show me one goal that was a total accident, was sloppy, that was easily put in the back of the net. Not just the goals, but the defenses and sometimes the almost goals still showcased perfected