Euro Qualifying goals of the round, Oct 16: Wijnaldum bursts the net versus Belarus

2:22pm on Wednesday 16th October 2019
By Martin Macdonald

5. RONALDO'S DELICATE LOB

Portugal cast Luxembourg aside with a 3-0 win in Euro Qualifying, with Cristiano Ronaldo typically getting on the scoresheet. With 25 minutes remaining, after Bernardo Silva's first-half opener, he made it 2-0 when he intercepted a loose defensive pass from the visitors to run down the left channel and cheekily dink the ball over the helpless onrushing goalkeeper. Cool as you like.

Watch Ronaldo's goal on YouTube

4. WOWZA KUCKA

Wales earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw away against Slovakia on Thursday, and there could be no complaint about how the hosts equalised through Juraj Kucka. The Parma midfielder held his run outside the box as Wales defended, and took advantage of a high clearance to latch on to the ball with a ferocious left-footed volley which flashed past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Watch Kucka's goal on YouTube

3. ZINGER FROM ZAHAVI

Israel's Euro Qualifying campaign has been fairly dismal, but the performances of Eran Zahavi have certainly been a positive as he is the current top goalscorer in the competition. He added another to his tally in a loss against Austria on Thursday, and in spectacular style. He initially allows the ball to run across his body before jinking cleverly past the defender, while the finish is perfectly slammed home off the inside of the left-hand post.

Eran Zahavi vs Austria

Juraj Kucka vs Wales

Magomed Ozdoev vs Scotland

Which of these goals from Thursday's #Euro2020 qualifying was the best?

It's Sky Sports News in 60 seconds with @TAGHeuer #ICYMI pic.twitter.com/PzextFMCQ1
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 11, 2019

2. OZDOEV BURSTS THE SCOTTISH NET

Scotland put up enough of a fight against Russia in Group I that it took the home side until the second half to score. However, they did score four in the end. The second of which came from Magomed Ozdoev, who waited patiently outside the box to receive the ball, enabling him to drill a quite fantastic strike high into the left corner of David Marshall's goal. It was one of those shots that barely spun in the air. Magical.

Watch Ozdoev's goal on YouTube

1. WIJNALBOOM!

The best goal of this round of international fixtures was scored by Georginio Wijnaldum of the Netherlands in the Oranje's narrow 2-1 win over Belarus. The Liverpool midfielder scored both goals on the night, with the first being a simple header from a few yards out. The second was anything but simple, though, as he collected possession 25 yards out to fire a curling, dipping, twisting exocet of a strike across the box into the top right corner. What a beauty.

Watch Wijnaldum's goal on YouTube

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Mihaly Korhut's rasper of a half-volley for Hungary against Azerbaijan is superbly-struck, but loses points for the keeper's slow reaction.

Watch Korhut's goal on YouTube

Belgium played in third gear as they won against Kazakhstan, but the moment of the match was one of genuine quality. Eden Hazard dances through midfield before picking out a diagonal pass to Thomas Meunier, who controls expertly before finishing.

HAZZZAAAAAAAAAAAARD !! WHAT A BALL MAN..
AMAZING assist & finish by Meunier #EURO2020 #KAZBEL #Hazard pic.twitter.com/CnkZxqXX6I
— (@ChelseaMCMV) October 13, 2019