European Goals of the Week, Nov 1: Rashford channels his inner Cristiano Ronaldo

12:48pm on Friday 1st November 2019
By Martin Macdonald

5. MAGNIFICENT MESSI

The Argentine was brilliant as Barcelona destroyed Valladolid 5-1 during the week, scoring two goals. His first came via a free-kick which was beautifully, effortlessly curled into the top right corner from 30 yards. Goalkeeper Jordi Masip does his very best to get across, but the strike actually goes into the inside of the side net, making it pretty much unsavable.

⚽Watch Lionel Messi's goal on YouTube

4. ACERBI - WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

When centre-backs venture into midfield and then into the final third and you see them preparing for a shot at goal, the eyes immediately look into the stand expecting the ball to be ballooned over the bar. However, on this occasion, Francesco Acerbi catches an absolute thunderbolt of a strike into the top corner from at least 40 yards with his left foot. Torino goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu just stands helplessly as it flashes past him before he can even react.

⚽Watch Francesco Acerbi's goal on YouTube

3. OX FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doesn't tend to score bad goals. Last week in the Champions League he found the back of the net with a gorgeous finish with the outside of his foot in off the crossbar, and this one against Arsenal is a topper, also. In a crazy match at Anfield which saw 10 goals scored, his was the second-best (see below) as he steals the ball from the defender before smashing a bouncing half-volley high into the roof of the net from 25 yards. He didn't celebrate against his former club, though. Boo.

⚽Watch Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal on YouTube

2. WILLOCK WONDERGOAL

The Arsenal youngster has been impressive in his breakthrough season, but this is his best moment yet in a Gunners shirt as he collects possession inside the centre circle before confidently striding forward. The eventual finish - a curled, dipping strike into the top left corner, was a display of magnificent technique as he left the Liverpool keeper with no chance.

⚽Watch Joe Willock's goal on YouTube

1. RASHFORD'S STRATOSPHERIC STRIKE

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford's free-kicks tend to be either incredible, or kind of embarrassing, such as the technique the pair use to strike a dead ball. This one for the Manchester United man, against Chelsea in the League Cup, is an absolutely ridiculous strike from long-range. He steps up and sends the ball twisting, turning, and dipping into the top left corner. If the goals weren't there to stop it, it would have knocked out a spectator.

⚽Watch Marcus Rashford's goal on YouTube

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Gerard Moreno's delightful, cheeky effort against Eibar which saw him dink the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper beforing finishing.

David Timor's whipped free-kick in off the bar versus Granada.

Suso's not-quite-as-good-as-Messi free-kick against SPAL.

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