European Goals of the Week, 20 Nov: Ronaldo nears a century

4:51pm on Wednesday 20th November 2019
By Martin Macdonald

5. ARMENIAN CONSOLATION

This is arguably the goal that meant the least out of any that were scored during this round of Euro 2020 qualifying, as it came when Armenia were already 8-0 down against Italy. However, you can't take anything away from the goal itself when taken out of context, as it is a magnificent strike from Edgar Babayan as he collects the ball in the left channel before cutting inside on to his right foot to launch a cracker into the top left corner from 25 yards, with Salvatore Sirigu left with no chance.

Down 8-0... and Edgar Babayan does this!

Italy's substitute goalkeeper Alex Meret was making his international debut and had been on the pitch for precisely two minutes.

His first act as an international footballer was to pick the ball out of his net... #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/Xss5gvDpXW
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 18, 2019

4. RASHFORD PRECISION

England defeated Kosovo 4-0 this week, with the best goal coming via an extremely satisfying finish from Marcus Rashford. Initially, Raheem Sterling (on his return to the starting XI after the Joe Gomez fiasco) picks up the ball in midfield before embarking on a powerful run down the left and into the centre. He picks out Rashford, who only takes one touch to guide a gorgeous finish into the bottom far corner.

GOAALLL!

Sterling feeds @MarcusRashford who hits a precise finish into the far corner

Watch LIVE
@ITV
https://t.co/hKq8sWvATe #KOSENG #ITVFootball #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/Em3AqCcj3p
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 17, 2019

3. ZANIGOALO...

Nicolo Zaniolo was among the goals, like everyone was, against Armenia in the aforementioned victory, but his first was the pick of the bunch. After some lovely interplay between Ciro Immobile and Jorginho, the ball comes to the Roma midfielder just outside the box, with the resulting finish being beautifully whipped into the right corner, while his celebration shows exactly what it meant to him.

Watch Nicolo Zaniolo's goal on YouTube

2. UNDROPPABLE GNABRY

Serge Gnabry is fast becoming undroppable for both Bayern and Germany, and was the main man for the latter this week as they defeated Northern Ireland 6-1. After going a goal behind to the Irish, it was he who got them back into contention with this quite brilliant turn and finish into the top corner. The best part is that the first touch comes with one foot, while the devastating finish is with his other foot. Superb.

Serge Gnabry continues his strong scoring form to level for Germany.

Watch #GERNIR on Sky Sports Premier League or follow here: https://t.co/dkFs67o2J4 pic.twitter.com/juTBkqfR3H
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 19, 2019

1. RONALDO'S RASPER

Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on 100 international goals for Portugal, and got up to his tally of 99 with a few goals in this round of qualifiers. The best of the lot came in Portugal's 6-0 drubbing of Lithuania. After some shocking defending from the visitors in their hown half, Portugal pounced to win possession through Goncalo Pacienca, who played the pass through to Ronaldo. The Juventus forward then catches everyone out by taking the chance early with a stunning, whipped right footed finish into the right corner.

STOP IT RONALDO!

He scores his second of the game with a beautiful curled effort, his 97th international goal!

Watch live on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/ANtRtmA3fd pic.twitter.com/LhwIF7VQ7H
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 14, 2019

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Kazahkstan may have gone on to lose the match against Scotland, but they still quietened Hampden (as half-full as it was) by opening the scoring thanks to this magical finish from Baktiyor Zainutdinov.

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