World Cup: The 5 best goals from the group stages
For the last 15 days, the 48 group stage matches of the World Cup have been providing non-stop thrills and spills for everybody.
From the shock early exit of holders Spain to Luis Suarez's toothy antics, this World Cup has been an exciting and unpredictable affair.
But, of course, when it comes to football, all that matters are the goals.
Here are the top five goals from the group stages:
5) GRANIT XHAKA (Switzerland 2 France 5, June 21)
It might have been a mere consolation goal with his team down 1-5, but the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder displayed great technique and timing to slam home a probing pass from Swiss captain Gokhan Inler.
4) XERDAN SHAQIRI (Honduras 0 Switzerland 3, June 26)
Shaqiri joins his teammate on this list thanks to this stunning Lionel Messi-esque strike to open the scoring for the Swiss in the sixth minute. Switzerland went on to put two more past hapless Honduras to secure their place in the knockout rounds.
3) LIONEL MESSI (Argentina 1 Iran 0)
Quit rubbing your eyes - Shaqiri's goal was pretty much a carbon copy of Messi's, although the Argentinian's wizardry proved to be the late difference between his side and Iran.
2) ROBIN VAN PERSIE (Spain 1 Holland 5)
Van Persie certainly lived up to his Flying Dutchman tag with his impression of Superman to score an outrageous header against Spain to level the scores at 1-1.
1) TIM CAHILL (Australia 2 Holland 3)
It ultimately proved futile Holland went on to win, but Tim Cahill's perfect volley gave the Socceroos hope as he cancelled out Arjen Robben's opener within a minute after it had been scored.
Source: OurMatch.net
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