Top 10 contenders for UEFA Goal of the Season
UEFA have announced the top 10 contenders for their annual goal of the season award, and the nominations include a wide range of goals from the Champions League, Europa League and international fixtures. The shortlist was compiled by UEFA’s football and technical observers committee in conjunction with UEFA.com staff.
The UEFA goal of the season award is a part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the organisation, and the winner will be decided by a public vote on the UEFA website.
The list included the usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, although there were two surprise inclusions in the list. Scotland U-19 striker Robbie Muirhead and Belgium female international Mariam Abdulai Toloba’s efforts were both nominated in the list besides all the higher-profile nominees.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Liverpool – 22 October 2014
Ronaldo has scored some impressive goals during his career, and he showed Anfield just why he is a force to be reckoned with during his side’s 3-0 win in the Champions League group stages against Liverpool. He was heavily influential as Real smashed in three first-half goals and scored the opener for Los Blancos in the 23rd minute.
The Portuguese winger was looking to create something special in the centre of the pitch and had a chance to go for goal when he played a one-two with James Rodriguez. He used his pace to quickly pick up the Colombian’s chipped pass and followed it up with a strong shot past Mignolet into the bottom left corner, after stealing a yard on Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.
Robbie Muirhead vs Norway – 12 October 2014
Muirhead’s long-range strike against Norway in Scotland’s U-19 European Championship qualifier is the next contender for the goal of the season award. The 19-year-old striker was formerly a Kilmarnock player and is currently plying his trade with Dundee United, scoring twice in 10 appearances with the club.
Robbie smashed home a clean left-footed strike from 40 yards into the top-left corner, after receiving a simple pass in the middle of the pitch. His goal wasn’t enough to hand the Scots a win though, as a late equaliser from Norway ensured the match would end 1-1.