Top 5 Goals: UEFA Women’s Championship Final Rounds & NWSL Matchday 12

This past weekend of soccer was one of the best all year for so many reasons. Not only did we witness some dramatic and scintillating knockout matches of the Euros, but we also saw goals galore in the NWSL. With so many moments of magic to choose from, let’s take a closer look at the best of the best from another incredible week of soccer. Here are the best women’s soccer goals from the UEFA Women’s Championship and the NWSL Matchday 12.

5. Jess Fishlock – OL Reign

A gem of a finish from @JessFishlock to pull one back! @OLReign | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/HcakxRpbKM

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 31, 2022

The OL Reign showed just why they are so tough to stop for 90 minutes. Down 2-0 in the first half, nothing seemed to stop their resolve to get back into the match.

It was this lovely move between Tziarra King and Jess Fishlock that got the goal run started. The chemistry these two have is evident. It seemed like King had missed the window to make the initial pass, but instead, she improvised and still managed to squeeze the pass into Fishlock.

Fishlock still had a lot to do and put the ball in the only place she could, right into the far corner, with a beautiful and accurate curled finish. This star-studded OL Reign side is starting to look like their French counterparts Lyon right now, making them really scary. 

4. Kadidiatou Diani – France

IMMEDIATE REPONSE FROM #FRA! Kadidiatou Diani takes the strike, but it's ruled an own goal against German GK Merle Frohms! 🇫🇷 #GERFRA | 1-1 pic.twitter.com/KKAGG9OcXi

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 27, 2022

This went down officially as an own goal for the Germany keeper, but for the sake of this list, the credit absolutely goes to Kadidatou Diani for her strike. The French were trailing and needed a response to Germany’s goal. Diani was able to help with that just minutes after the Germans scored first. Diani did well to operate in a tight space and still line up the shot to strike it with venom.

You could feel the sense of urgency with the strike and the ball had no choice but to end up in the net. The ball clanged off the post but was hit with so much force that Germany’s keeper was mid-dive and couldn’t stop her momentum as the ball went off her and in. A great goal but unfortunately wasn’t enough for France to advance to the Final. 

3. Sofia Huerta – OL Reign

Goodness, @schuerta with a 🚀 and this one is level!@OLReign | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/nlIrXU1Vog

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 31, 2022

Sofia Huerta is one the best players that no one talks about because of how star-studded both the USWNT and the OL Reign are. But, Huerta has been rock solid for both without question. The offensive ability that she brings from a defensive position is what’s a game changer. Not only is she dishing out great assists, but she can always score a long-distance banger or two.

Huerta just needed one touch to set herself up before letting it rip, and it was an absolute rocket. The ball flew into the top corner, and DiDi Haracic had no chance of stopping this one.

2. Sophie Schmidt – Houston Dash

GOODNESS @sophieschmidt13 🚀 @HoustonDash | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/Vs6IDkcdK6

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 31, 2022

Sophie Schmidt is a longtime NWSL vet who has shown she can do a little bit of everything throughout her career. The Canadian has shown her physicality from the defensive midfield role, but she can also distribute and set her teammates up. From time to time, she can also score some worldies when her team needs her to.

This goal was a stunner because she took it on with her left foot and as a one-timer with no extra touches needed. Like Huerta’s goal, Schmidt catches hold of it, and the ball never seems to come down. The shot had enough power and accuracy to easily find the top corner, a clean strike that emphasized a strong Houston performance on offense. 

1. Ella Toone – England

This chip by Ella Toone is unreal! 🤯

(via @ESPNFC)pic.twitter.com/k23vgKs62A

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 31, 2022

England lifted the major trophy curse that had haunted them for so long. Chloe Kelly’s goal with the iconic celebration with homage to Brandi Chastain stole the spotlight, but Ella Toone’s goal got things started and forced Germany to push for more.

Toone was the one who equalized versus Spain to keep their hopes of this moment alive. Then she gave them the lead with this incredible chipped finish. When asked about keeping her composure when scoring this goal, she said, “I don’t know,” jokingly. For how big the moment was, it makes this goal that much more difficult to execute and shows how ready Ella Toone was.

This was the second time she came off the bench to score a key goal, and this goal was even better. The keeper might have come out a bit too early but take nothing away from Toone, who sent Wembley Stadium into pandemonium for another historic moment. 

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