The best individual goals from the 2010 FIFA World Cup

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was an absolute goal-fest. A total of 145 goals were scored in the tournament with most of them being works of art.

The tournament was also a cornucopia of mind-blowing pieces of individual skill. From long range bangers to goals from impossible angles and more, here are the epic goals from the 2010 World Cup.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst goal vs Uruguay

The semi-final between Uruguay and Netherlands was a riveting one which ended 3-2 in favour of Oranje.

The man who kicked off things in the thrilling match was Dutch captain Gio van Bronckhorst. And boy did he start off things in style.

Receiving a pass from Demy de Zeeuw, the then Feyenoord full-back took a stab at goal.

The Dutch captain’s shot was a thunderbolt and it beat Fernando Muslera to the top corner. The distance, the accuracy of the shot and the power. All were mind blowing.

One of the finest goals scored in World Cup history.

Diego Forlan goal vs Netherlands

If van Bronckhorst could score a worldie, then Forlan wasn’t too far behind.

The Uruguayan talisman levelled the scores at 1-1 with a delicious long range strike.

He got the ball near the half-line then advanced with it. Forlan looked for a pass but did not see any of his teammates open. He then saw the high line of the defence and decided to take matters into his own hands.

On his left foot, the then Atletico Madrid striker took a shot from way out. The ball curled and beat Maarten Stekelenburg to his top-left corner.

A wonderful strike from the 2010 Golden Ball winner.

Maicon goal vs North Korea

This is a goal that is remembered for the near impossible angle from which it was scored.

Then Internazionale defender Maicon received the ball from Elano on the right wing. The rushing Maicon looked across for a cross. Everyone thought he would try to find Luis Fabiano with the ball including the goalkeeper, who stepped a bit far out of his line.

Maicon spotted that and shot for goal from the tightest of angles with an outside foot shot. Amazingly, the ball curved and ended up in the net from a somewhat 90 degree angle.

A nearly impossible goal to score that was finished with ease from Maicon.

Fabio Quagliarella goal vs Slovakia

Italy had a torrid time at the 2010 World Cup as the then defending champions crashed out in the group stages.

Forward Fabio Quagliarella, however, left one positive memory from the Azzurri with a sensational chipped goal.

Losing 3-1 to Slovakia in their final group game, Italy were attacking with full force. With stoppage time in the horizon, Quagliarella received the ball from Daniele De Rossi on the edge of the box. He spotted the Slovakian keeper’s position and sent in a delightful chip towards goal.

The ball stayed in the air for an eternity before hitting the back of the net. It was truly a wonderful effort from the then Napoli forward. Too bad it wasn’t enough to secure a place for Italy in the knockout stages.