Top 5 Goals: November International Break

As the NWSL wrapped up its incredible season and the NCAA Tournament is reaching the final stages, the international break featured a couple of big matchups. The USWNT took on the Matildas, South Korea went toe-to-toe with New Zealand, and Iceland performed well against Japan. This week’s list features some great teamwork and outstanding finishing from all the games above, so let’s break down the best women’s soccer goals from the International Break.

5. Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir – Iceland

Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir skoraði svo seinna mark leiksins í síðari hálfleik.

And here is the second goal from Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir. Two superb goals.#dottir pic.twitter.com/Ix5EhL3uLy

— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) November 26, 2021

Iceland’s women’s soccer team might be one of the most underrated and growing federations in the world. Players like Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir have spent a little time in America as well. The former Florida State alum converted this chance with a tap-in on the back post, on a move that only lasted seven seconds thanks to an incredible pass from the backline. This is exactly what a counter-attack should look like. 

4. Lim Seon-joo – South Korea

[GOAL] 대한민국?? 2-1 ??뉴질랜드
생일 축하합니다!? 임선주 선수!✨#대한민국 #여자축구 #국가대표팀 #친선경기 #뉴질랜드전 pic.twitter.com/JDHZdXvajb

— 대한축구협회(KFA) (@theKFA) November 27, 2021

South Korea was trailing New Zealand before mounting a late comeback. This goal would be the game-winner with less than 10 minutes to go. Cho So-hyun, who plays for Tottenham at the club level, put a nice hesitation move and turned on her marker to create an inch of daylight. Her chipped cross found a wide-open Lim Seon-joo who headed it into the net from close range. A well-worked goal for South Korea to help win the game.  

3. Jacqui Hand – New Zealand 

Hey don’t mind us, just got @RileyThree’s pinpoint delivery and @JacquiHand6’s very first international goal on loop ? pic.twitter.com/UBeJcDOPjg

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) November 27, 2021

From Colorado College to the New Zealand National Team, this match against South Korea must’ve felt incredible for Jacqui Hand. Not only is she relatively new to the team, but she was able to make an impact with her first-ever international goal. Ali Riley did well to cut inside from the left-wing and whip in a ball towards Hand. The striker was able to elevate and divert the ball with her head into the corner. With a cross that good, all it needed was a little guidance to find the net. This is a goal that surely Jacqui Hand will never forget. 

2. Ashley Hatch – USWNT 

? @ash_hatch33 BALLER ALERT?

24 seconds in. Third fastest goal in @USWNT history.
pic.twitter.com/KQ5GIigGRT

— ata football (@atafball) November 27, 2021

Ashley Hatch was more than ready for the USA’s first friendly against Australia. She scored the third-fastest goal in USWNT history. The Matildas did not do a great job of clearing the ball, and Lynn Williams was able to get a strong header on it. It dropped perfectly behind the Aussie backline where Hatch could run onto it. The play developed so fast that the keeper didn’t come out to claim the ball. Hatch kept her composure and then smashed it into the far corner. Hatch was ready to score, and she took her chance within the first 30 seconds; this let the Aussies know what kind of game it would be. 

1. Rose Lavelle – USWNT 

#USWNT goal No. 18 for @roselavelle#USWNT assist No. 1 for @100Purcent.

2-0, USA ?? pic.twitter.com/alXmiYHpfD

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021

While this is a nice and composed finish from Rose Lavelle on the near post, this is all about the solo run from Midge Purce. We know that she has pace and the ability to run or dribble around anyone. However, in this play, she showed she could run through players with her strength as well. The defender is with Purce step for step and doesn’t let her turn the corner until they come together. Purce uses her shoulder, and the defender eats the turf while she absorbs the contact and keeps her balance. From there, she’s able to pick out a wide-open Lavelle who scored on the near post. This is a sneak peek of what the USWNT can look like, and it’s a scary thought for everyone else in the world. 

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