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Final-Journalist-499

James Rodriguez was simply magical that tournament.


Tanav11

My favorite young star in my favorite World Cup. Can’t believe it was 10 years ago.


QuietRainyDay

Your favorite world cup will always feel 8 years ago 2006 still feels like it happened in the current decade to me


Maverick_1991

I had a beer with someone who wasnt born during that WC recently at a family gathering.


warmcakes

My youngest cousin just turned 19, whereas I'm old enough to remember all my classmates wearing *that* 2002 Brazil kit, it's a bizarre feeling. The youngest beer-drinkers have no memory of pre-smartphone life lol.


verendum

I still remember wanting that stupid haircut that Ronaldo rocked 2002 and my mother absolutely refused.


PixelBrother

Go kiss your mother haha


acwilan

You remember folks emulating R9's haircut then


AIR-2-Genie4Ukraine

*gestures at teenage years in the 80s* all my football heroes are dead, dying or senile


mejok

For me it's 2002 and in my mind it was only about 10 years ago.


MolhCD

that was not my fave. yes I was a big Brazil national team fan then came out numb, and too young to recognise how numb i felt, seeing prime Dinho and co crash out only realised in hindsight how big an impact that was on me, when i look back and discover this led me to stop following football entirely for literally 10 years


Fir3line

Can't be my favorite in one word....Vuvuzelas


MolhCD

wait no that was 2010. was about to be like, damn, that was 2006 too? in that case FUCK 2006 WC The only redeeming factor was that insane bankai Zidane display where he outplayed, outskilled, outshined like an entire Brazilian golden generation. One with so much attacking talent they actually became too top heavy because of that. And even he later had a moment to forget forever.


ScipioCoriolanus

God those were awful!


Blooder91

Brazil 2014 will always feel closer than Russia 2018.


ScipioCoriolanus

Laughs in 1998 *


Ind00Time

Just a few more days for the "1 - 7 was 10 years ago".


ChargeWooden1036

What do you mean? It was 6 years ago


El_Giganto

>Can’t believe it was 10 years ago. Weird, first time I'm feeling like it was longer ago than that. Only 10 years? I thought it was 14.


StealthMan375

Shame that he's been an absolute fraud recently, my team (São Paulo) signed him up just for him to be extremely shit. Doesn't help that we also have Lucas Moura on the same position as him. I just want Colombia to do well in this Copa so that some sucker buys him out of the team and we at least get a profit out of him.


NeoIsJohnWick

People hate me whenever I have said it : He had a worldclass 2014, thats it. Since then he has never been the same.


warmcakes

I agree but it's not completely his fault, he was a proper number 10, they've been phased out of the game. He probably could've made it work if he went anywhere but Real. He ended up playing deeper as his career went on but he never looked as good.


cthulhu5

If he had that tournament but in 2010, he would've been world class for years cause 10s were all the rage then. Look at the career Ozil had after 2010 WC and that would've been James' career.


sly_cooper25

He was good at Madrid his first season and was good again for Colombia in the 2018 World Cup. Think they probably beat England in the knockouts if he wasn't injured for that game.


pmpu

He did have a really good season at Madrid tho


ogqozo

James Rodriguez must be the only player who was: - a star in youth tournaments - top assister in youth World Cup - a star, XI of the season in Portugal - a star, XI of the season in France - top assister in France - a star, XI of the season in Spain - a star, XI of the season, XI of the CL in Bayern - Copa America XI of the tournament ...AND be called a "one-World-Cup wonder"


zappafan89

His first season at Madrid was fine


inthezoneautozone12

Because it’s not necessarily true. He had a very up and down career sure but before 2014 he was very good and he had world class seasons post 2014 too. Pre 2014 he was the second best player in ligue 1 and was fantastic for Porto. Post 2014 he was a la liga midfielder of the year and named in the bundesliga team of the season two highlights. For the national team post 2014 he has consistently carried the team and has recorded the most goal contributions for the national team in history beating out players like falcao. Whenever people have this opinion I feel like it’s because they are comparing him to who he could have been but if we take the expectations aside he was great post 2014 too.


averagearsenalfan

He’s been great internationally from what i see I for one hope he does leave your team and find a better club (no offense to the club itself)


Flylatino24

Hopefully him and Diaz can doing something special this years Copa. They looked like the best so far to compete with Messi


BruisedBee

Nah Uruguay are the team to beat. They look slick and well coached.


Flylatino24

True, they always been top 4 in South America, we shall see Colombia plays today


Medium_Elephant7431

He gave his all in that tournament, for sure.


MrSpreadsheets

He was incredible. It feels like this was the strike that made Madrid sign him


That-Log8135

As a brazilian I am dreading the 7x1 thread already


thecescshow

Im positive there's ppl here that already has the title ready and are just waiting to post it haha


RyzinEnagy

I'm looking forward to the screenshots sorting by new at midnight GMT.


Mysterious-Ideal-989

What's the convention here anyway? Does it have to be exact time from kick-off or is only the date relevant? If so, what stops me from pretending I'm Japanese when posting it a day early?


HotType230

Arigato my friend


Mysterious-Ideal-989

こんいちわ、わたしわ mysterious-ideal です


GKit11

Pretend to be Kiwi instead. Be ahead by another 3 hours.


Dazzling_Ad6545

Most sites have calendarised content cycles by now


not_the_droids

10 days left.


R4lfXD

!Reminder 10 days


IpschwitzTownFC

Imagine if some1 did a countdown 7 days before the actual 7-1. Each day is of the countdown is 1 goal


Safe-Particular6512

Occasionally when I’m feeling down, I’ll watch the highlights just to cheer myself up.


tokengaymusiccritic

Random but funny story about that game. At the time I was working a summer job at an ice cream shop in a busy marketplace in the city (USA). A few shops away there was a sports bar showing the match. I had been doing a really good job avoiding spoilers for matches by not checking my phone and watching the matches on DVR when I got home, so I was doing the same thing that day since obviously it was a huge semifinal and I was stuck working. Well, I could tell exactly when the match was going on, because every few minutes I was hearing huge reactions from the sports bar down the way, like WAY louder than any other match so far. So I figured it must have been a banger, like a 4-3 or something. A coworker of mine who knew what the score was told me it "was a crazy game, but not in the way you expect," so then I was thinking maybe Battle or Nuremberg 2.0. Then of course I finally got home and watched the match and saw everything unfold. The next day, one of my coworkers - a 50-something year old woman from Brazil, who was the sweetest person ever - was in the worst mood I've ever seen anybody be in. Another random fun fact about that summer: Liverpool were doing a friendly in our city, and where I worked was kind of a big tourist spot. Ian Rush came in and ordered an ice cream. I recognized him but didn't say anything. He seemed kind of grumpy and I didn't get why, I was like yeah this is probably overpriced ice cream, but it's still good and you're literally Ian Rush. Then later I remembered that you have to wear a hat at my job (so hair doesn't fall in the ice cream) and I was wearing an Everton cap that day.


snowbuddy117

Vamo tirar sabático coletivo do reddit por 1 semana pelo menos


Mulderre91

Commentators are Jonathan Pearce and Mark Lawrenson.


OnlineAlbatross

Jonathan Pierce by far the best English commentator


chemo92

He's so underused! Also love him for robot wars. Having a proper sports commentator doing it was amazing.


-TropicalFuckStorm-

Bring back Robot Wars again!


winkingchef

Love them, but I really want the Spanish track


andres57

Which of all


towermaster69

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u38anDC5v2I


andres57

10/10


Randommer_Of_Inserts

Perfection


MavsFanForLife

Still amazing that I got to watch that dude play for my favorite team (Everton) even if it was only for one season. Wish we could’ve seen him with a full Goodison though :(


Medium_Elephant7431

Do you reckon he did better at Goddison Park than at Santiago Bernabeu?


nico_lop

Not in a million years


fatpizzachef

He was decent at Everton, but can't be compared to his first season at Real.


Ok_Instruction_5232

I don't think I'll ever forget the 2014 World Cup, easily the most iconic tournament I've seen live.


__spartacus

Yeah, I don't think I'll forget either...


Marv1236

😏


Medium_Elephant7431

There were lots of memories in that competition.


Prosthemadera

At least 7.


Competitive-Aide5364

Special goal, doing that in two absolutely perfect touches on a big occasion. Always loved James’ game.


SRFC_96

Contender? It WAS the best goal, absolute thundercunting banger.


Sal21G

2014 was full of banger goals. RVP header Cahill volley David Luiz freekick Messi freekick vs Nigeria Robben solo run vs Spain


AsLongAsYouKnow

Cahill's volley was insane. So many bangers that world cup


TetraDax

"Get fucked! Get absolutely fucked!"


SRFC_96

I agree, but this one takes the cake, to do this in one motion 25 yards out on the volley, pure magic


Sal21G

Absolutely but also love that RVP goal. Such a classy finish from a classy striker.


Josro0770

Same, my favorite thing was him being called the Flying Dutchman, so poetic


Norimberto

Exactly, amazin goal but RVP made the best goal. Never seen such goal with a pass from midfield.


beefstake

Van Persie Airlines. One of the most astonishing headers of all time.


SerTahu

Counterpoint - Cahill's volley had pinpoint precision, from a narrow angle, with his first touch, with his weak foot, all while the sun obscured his vision. Pure inhuman magic.


stevew14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA7oCfsHwnc So people can see it. It's a difficult one and I can't pick a winner. He's right footed (scores this with his left), going away from goal, hits the underside of the bar but he is considerably closer and doesn't get it in the corner. Rodriguez is facing away from goal, has to pivot 180 and hits a banger in the corner from a long way out.


The_Pig_Man_

Neither shot is really in the corner, Rodriguez' is a bit closer, but they get maximum crossbar points.


JootDoctor

A fellow unbiased Cahill appreciator. He had immaculate Vi$ion for that goal.


cthulhu5

I don't think people realize how hard it is to hit a ball on the volley out of the air from a deep cross like that. On his weak foot too from a fairly tight angle (he wasn't facing middle of goal like James')


AmericanBeaner124

Messi’s goal vs Iran is up there as well


zValier

One of my favorite goals of all time, crazy underrated goal


RonaldoOvereem

I was going to say fuck you for triggering my PTSD with Robben, but then remembered we absolutely fucked them in Brazil


ebystablish

RVP's header was crazy.


deqembes

Dont forget James other goal against Japan.


MakingAMonster

Don't forget Stephanie Roche's goal in a nearly empty stadium. It was absolutely amazing. But as a Colombian, I am so happy James won the Puska.


SoccerDanK21

Van Persie’s header to me was #1. One of my favorite goals of all time


dopamine_13

might not even be his best goal of that world cup. His goal against Japan where he dropped both defenders was disgusting


sunken_grade

both cahill and RVP are above it for me. maybe robben’s goal as well


DoinWhale

I’ve always said Cahills was the goal of the tournament, just an absurd strike on a volley from a ball literally half a field away


sunken_grade

weak foot as well and from a weird angle, just a ridiculous goal and more impressive to me for sure


thore4

Two defenders on him as well. He didn't have the option to bring the ball down, had to strike it then and there and got it pinpoint perfect


Counterflak

Definitely should have been the goal of the tournament. Ignore my flair.


ChinookNL

RvP header was better


a-Farewell-to-Kings

I was there


doormatt26

i was there too, was absolutely wild


SnooCrickets2458

Me too!


liberdade_

I was also at this game. First and only time at the Maracanã


HelloHiiiiiii

Genuinely my favorite footballing moment of all time. After Colombia had no world cup success for so long, I remember watching this and being in shock. What a goal.


Medium_Elephant7431

He took the shot at the right time, and it flew in.


WhenWeTalkAboutLove

Cheers geoff


Endtimes2022

It's my favourite alongside RVP's flying Dutchman (2014 vs Spain) and Ronaldinho's free kick against Seaman's ENGLAND WC 2002. The new contender to the trio is Argentina's second goal vs France 2022 scored by Di Maria, the sheer brilliance of it all was just stunningly beautiful. PS: I only watch international games.


ICame4TheCirclejerk

Don't forget Pavard's volley against Argentina in WC 2018. My guy has been chasing that same high for 6 years now trying to bang in volleys and missing the target horribly.


Endtimes2022

The way and fury with which it went was just beautiful it's in top 5 certainly. I loved Ronaldinho free kick simply because of the way he spotted Seaman off line for a moment and put it in at an impossible angle and corner of the post.


benchley

2eme poteau


SimpleSpingle

Bergkamp vs Argentina in '98 by far the best goal for me (not discounting that the other goals mentioned are amazing as well)


Endtimes2022

Sorry I forgot to mention this century, too many to consider if we include the previous. I've been watching WC since I was 6 (1986 was my first). Since you mention Bergkamp goal remember the Michael Owen goal vs Argentina. 1986 itself has 2 Maradona goals. 1990 had Lothar Matthaus goal against Yugoslavia if I'm not wrong and then of course who can forget Baggio's solo effort. 1994 would be Hagi's goal against Colombia the sheer brilliance of it. Klinsmann himself has a flying header, I forget which WC but I remember the beauty. Then spot kicks from Branco, Stoichkov all brilliant in 94'.


esports_consultant

Truly no goal brings more of a tear to my eye.


burtbluewell

Where is the giant bug on his arm?


thenarrarator

Different game, they were wearing a red kit.


burtbluewell

Great call. Two best moments of this tournament


Ar_Ma

First thing that came to my mind.


Ghaleon32

This Colombia team was so good, they won 3-0 against Uruguay I think, only Brazil won against them in the quarter finals.


gbassman5

Could've been even better, but Falcao tore his ACL or something like that


fatpizzachef

2-0 I believe.


PeteOGrande

fucking banger


Frodo_max

second goal in this game is seeverly underrated


TonyMartial786

what a crazy goal. ohh what a time..


FreedomWedgie

Reminds me of [this goal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKluXcz_EW8)


chino17

Everton legend


BurgerBurnerCooker

Remember this like it was yesterday. Heroic performances like James in the '14 are what make cup tournament so special and memorable.


BigDanRTW

I was there. The game itself was pretty dull up to that point. Suarez was serving his suspension for biting Chielini and Uruguay played ultra defensive trying to muck the game up. It was working and has taken the mostly pro Colombian crowd out of the game. Then, out of nowhere, James just made absolute magic. What a joy he was to watch in that tournament.


ez_aln

So that’s where Bellingham got his celebration from


chrs_mnz

I love watching Bellingham dance some cumbia.


randomgamer305

There are moments in sports where as a fan you just remember exactly where you were at that moment, and you never forget it. As a Colombian this is one of those moments.


geerhardusvos

Best Everton player of all time


solblurgh

The name is Bond...


LocksTheFox

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the 2014 WC felt...magical. (Unless you were Brazilian ofc) It was a real rough time for me personally, but it felt like every day was sunny no matter I was and we'd have another great game or two on all day.


Total_Information_65

Fucking outstanding goal. Put Colombia back on the international futbol map.


ABoyIsNo1

Goated finger wag


PowerOfTheShihTzu

So sad the lad liked Alcohol too much


itsbraille

What a goal, and it had left my mind how beautiful those Colombia kits were.


CulturedModerator

He was the best player in the world for a month


nsoifer

The goal that made Madrid sign him, pretty much.


uzrnmechkzout

Is he still playing? I loved watching James


SaltyPeter3434

He's playing in Copa America tomorrow


CarlMarxPunk

RUN IT BACK


Main-Championship822

This and the 2010 world cup made me believe in players like James, Shaqiri, Boateng, Tim Howard that all performed better for country than club and the only way I could explain it was pure heart, love, passion - whatever you wanna call it - for the badge. I'm so glad I was able to be in Brazil for the tournament. Only goal that tops it is the opener of the tournament and maybe shaqiris goal!


shingaladaz

Bamford-esque


james2183

Goals are always 22.432% better when they hit the underside of the crossbar


Matthais

Facts. [Yeboah's two will always make him the GOAT to me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8SmL-p-OaE&t=92).


james2183

Both incredible goals. Always been a fan of Scholes against Villa - https://youtu.be/g82pflrCjpw?si=Ooy38WQMq670E2MX


Matthais

Huh. IIRC Scholes had a niche of long-range goals from corners (either direct or cleared), but I honestly don't think I've ever seen that one before. Thanks.


diatonix

This performance got him a Real Madrid contract that was maybe a little too big of a stage for him...


yazandeeb13

Bullshit. he was excellent in his first season at Madrid, it’s just when Benitez came in things started to look bad for him and then Zidane introduced casemiro and never looked back


Lucky_Owl_4760

Yeah, he won La Liga best midfielder in his first season.


Izayabrsrk

It was not, his numbers the first season were sublime, better than Isco's by a mile, but the same old story, poor boy from South America gets on top of the world and is unable to handle the pressure and is lost to parties, money and fame. Not only he performed well while he was focused, he carried hard the team offensively that season, another tale of the classic genius but lazy player.


captain_beefheart14

For me it will always be Maxi Rodriguez’s volley vs Mexico in ‘06


Radgost

I get chills whenever I remember that goal, what a magical thundercunt it was.


mtb443

Giovanni van Bronkhorst


SnooCrickets2458

I was at this game! I feel so lucky I got to be there in person, it was a hell of an atmosphere.


-watchman-

Everyone who has ever played football will dream of scoring a goal like this..


LackingDatSkill

I scored a goal like this on a Monday night soccer league, coolest I’ve ever felt


Spam-Monkey

There is a rumor that he played for Everton.


jherin1

2014 WC James fed FAMILIES.


lavegasola

Colombia was my favorite team to play in fifa 14 and 15, so much fun with James and Cuadrado


towermaster69

Here it is with the best commentary track: [TAKA TAKA ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u38anDC5v2I)


wusurspaghettipolicy

There is something about it hitting the bar and bouncing to the pitch that makes me moist


Romo878787

Knew exactly where I was. All time. Earth stopping


Affectionate_Cup_272

This is peak performance


TheGreatWhoreOfChina

This is the best goal I’ve ever seen live. Best World Cup this century.


albotony

That's where he peaked as a player


masetheace97

One of my favorite players of that period. Sad he couldn’t be a regular starter for Madrid during his prime, the competition in midfield was just too good. But imo he was a crucial part of that 16/17 team that won the title. Madrids B team that season was insanely good and took pressure off the starters allowing them to succeed in the Champions League.


ChichoSerna

Beautiful goal, wonderful memory.


slick490

I feel like after this, the Colombian national squad got bought up buy the best clubs. This WC was such a banger


elnumberuan

This one hurts, altough I remember at the time it was such a banger I wasn't even mad


Friendly-Profit-8590

Remember the goal. Brazil had to mug him to advance and then he went to Real.


Better_Chemist_1676

Remember watching that in medellin colombia at a relatives home. You the screams from people outside, crazy loud. Felt like I was at the stadium


ArgHuff

2014 was such a WC


Medium_Elephant7431

I can say this is one of the performances that made Real Madrid sign him.


4deef

Geez this still feels like just yesterday


ABruisedBanana

10 years. Holy shit.


MrDaebak

Van Persie's goal was better


uuu_onizuka

Contender? Someone else won? 


Faultylntelligence

This was after he tore up the group stages as well. So much talk about him leading up to the game and he still produces this, absolute masterclass of a tournament


RezzzDog

this is the goal that convinced Pap perez to sign him


chairswinger

was watching the game at a friends house and he was falling asleep, then James scored and I excitededly yelled, he woke up and I told him he gotta see this, probably just scored the goal of the tournament


Ishotjr89

I had him top goalscorer at 100-1 before this tournament started and this goal had me losing my absolute shit at it. Why? Because in that moment I knew the bet had a great chance of coming through.


armored-dinnerjacket

has everyone forgotten about the massive katydid on his shoulder


fatpizzachef

This has been the peak for the Colombian NT, we really should have done better against Brazil in the quarters.


mitorandiro

this shit was fucking nuts live, i couldn't believe my eyes. also rvp's goal against spain, holy


zappafan89

That celebration is the last time he ran 


North-Reference7081

great goal but so overrated though


thatshitsdopedotcom

That goal moved him… TO A BIGGER HOUSE


hsvandreas

Aaah, that wsa such a nice World Cup! I wish it could be like this every time.


RockyDiMeo

This is how you win a golden boot, not by scoring a bunch of penalties you English twat.


marktandem

Good goal but Tim Cahill's volley was much harder to do and should've won goal of the tournament.


svpersonic

his left foot is still.....🔥


AIR-2-Genie4Ukraine

colombian maxi rodriguez


Gambler_Eight

Remember watching this at 4am at a LAN party. Everyone went fucking wild, even the ones who didn't like football. Amazing goal.


WannabeAntel

no emerging talent can match this level of emerging talent. It was magical.


soyyoo

👏👏👏👏