Top 5 Goals: World Cup Final, NCAA Soccer Week 1, and NWSL

Women’s soccer saw an incredible week of games, goals, and everything else in between. The World Cup is sadly over, but the NWSL is back along with the first week of NCAA college soccer. It’s an exciting time for the game, and there are plenty of matches and goals to get you caught up. Let’s take a look at the best women’s soccer goals from the last week of the World Cup, NWSL Matchday 16, and NCAA Soccer Week 1. 

5. Messiah Bright – Orlando Pride

Watching this unreal @messiah_bright goal on repeat 🔁 pic.twitter.com/9aYijy6sJj

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 20, 2023

Messiah Bright is running away with the Rookie of the Year award after cracking the top five in the Golden Boot race with six goals, most among rookies. As her career goes on, defenses will know that she cannot afford to be left one-on-one with a defender on an island like this.

Bright put a nice hesitation move on the defender to create space and come onto her right foot. Once the striker saw her opportunity, she executed it to perfection, bending the ball into the top corner beautifully. Orlando has a star on their hands, and the future is bright. 

4. Olga Carmona – Spain

STOP IT OLGA CARMONA 🇪🇸

ARE YOU KIDDING US! pic.twitter.com/NLCwDouzfa

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 15, 2023

Of all of Spain’s stars, it was Olga Carmona who ended up being the team’s savior with two clutch goals to win the World Cup. The first was the game-winner against Sweden, catching the Swedes out of position with a short corner. Carmona let it rip from outside the box and received some good fortune after the keeper deflected it off the crossbar and into the net. Carmona was the difference in the game, and she would also prove to do the same in the final. 

3. Anna Bagley – VCU Rams

Anna Bagley with the equalizer in the 11th minute!

All square here at SportsBackers, 1-1#LetsGoVCU pic.twitter.com/oV7YVSFza7

— VCU Women's Soccer (@VCUWomensSoccer) August 18, 2023

Anna Bagley takes the spot for the best goal from the college ranks. This long-range stunner made SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays over the weekend, deservedly so. Bagley made a great read looking at the position of the goalkeeper. Bagley had a teammate wide open to her right, raising the stakes a little because if she missed taking the shot, she’d hear it from her teammate and coaches. Instead, the ball flew into the top corner as the keeper was caught off her line. Bagley is a star for the Rams. Expect her to have a big season for VCU. 

2. Olga Carmona – Spain

OLGA CARMONA HAS DONE IT!

SPAIN TAKES THE 1-0 LEAD 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/zqJBDRXngJ

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 20, 2023

This is the goal that won Spain the World Cup. Olga Carmona will go down in the history books for providing this incredible moment. Carmona made her overlapping run as soon as the ball was switched, and the space opened up on the counterattack. Lucy Bronze got caught in the wrong area, and Alessia Russo couldn’t cover in time. Carmona calmly slotted the ball into the side netting, giving Mary Earps no chance to save it. England were stunned, and Carmona’s ability to enter the attack from the left-back position is the biggest reason Spain are now World Champions. 

1. Sam Kerr – Australia 

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT 🤩

GOLAZOOO SAM KERR 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/Gnts261nW2

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 16, 2023

Sam Kerr‘s calf injury had kept her from making the impact we thought she would in the Group Stage, but this goal against England made up for it. With her team trailing, Kerr found herself with space to operate, and England’s defenders couldn’t over-commit. By doing so, it gave Kerr the room she needed to go for the audacious strike from long range.

Once the ball hits the back of the net and the crowd roars, it’s instant goosebumps. The entire country had to have been going bonkers once their superstar came through to tie the game in a World Cup Semifinal. Sadly, the Matildas’ run ended, but Sam Kerr’s goal was a historic moment for Australia at the World Cup. 

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