Top 5 Goals: World Cup Group Stage Week 1 and NWSL Challenge Cup

The World Cup is in full swing, and the matches haven’t disappointed in the slightest. We’ve also been fortunate to have some bonus soccer with the NWSL Challenge Cup ongoing. Both competitions featured some incredible goals. Let’s get into the NWSL Challenge Cup and World Cup best goals this week!

5. Madelyn Desiano – Houston Dash

.@MadelynDesiano lets it rip for her first career goal in her first career start! pic.twitter.com/W7snseap4T

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 23, 2023

The former UCLA Bruin has parlayed her success as an NCAA National Champion into NWSL minutes with the Houston Dash. The World Cup is a perfect time for players like her to show what they can do, and this goal was the perfect example. Desiano was perpendicular to the goal but used great footwork to line up the shot and get her body around the ball. The end result was a goal in the top corner, the rookie has earned more playing time with an impact like that. 

4. Aitana Bonmati – Spain

This goal by Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí takes the cake for the Goal of the Day from Matchday 2 😤💪 pic.twitter.com/NF8ojl6OkX

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 21, 2023

Spain’s style of play is always easy on the eye, it flows beautifully from pass to pass as they build from defense to attack. There are plenty of Spanish stars, but the player who doesn’t get enough mention is Aitana Bonmati. Bonmati is 25 and entering her prime, which is exciting because she’s already one of the best players in the world.

Watch the quick feet in a tight space. Her ability to sense the defender on her back and follow it up with a quick pullback of the ball is something you can’t teach. The finish was deadly as she calmly stroked the ball into the far corner. That’s World Class attacking football, and Spain looked as dangerous as ever. 

3. Bia Zaneratto – Brazil

Such class, such creativity, such originality.. that's the Brazilian way 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ItyIQlfMVV

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 24, 2023

This goal has been dubbed the best goal of the World Cup so far, and there’s no disputing that. Brazil’s style of play makes the game more fun and adds a mystique to the sport that no other country can create.

Every single touch of the ball was perfect. Five quick passes sliced through Panama’s defense like butter. The move that sealed the deal was the backheel assist by Ary Borges, who stole the show and left it on a platter for Bia Zaneratto to smash into the net. Brazil wasn’t getting as much attention as usual coming into this World Cup, but they sure are now. 

2. McCall Zerboni – Gotham FC

This McCall Zerboni golazo was 🔥@UKGInc Rising to the Challenge Moment pic.twitter.com/ggaxSV3JEW

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 24, 2023

McCall Zerboni turned back the clock with this strike from long-range. Zerboni saw the space in front of her, took a touch to set herself up, and let it fly. It’s an absolute screamer, there’s not much else to say other than it had power, accuracy, and technique all rolled into one strike. Zerboni certainly has a reputation for being an instigator, but we can’t forget she’s got skills too. 

1. Brianna Pinto – North Carolina Courage 

BRIANNA PINTO REALLY DID THAT. 😱

The volley of the YEAR from @TheNCCourage midfielder. 😮 pic.twitter.com/38WsV06g6I

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 23, 2023

The fact that Gotham let a former top-five draft pick like Brianna Pinto go isn’t a great look. North Carolina was happy to scoop her up, and that move has paid dividends for the Courage. The degree of difficulty for Pinto to pull this off is extremely high. To judge the flight of the ball, run onto it, keep your knee over the ball, and hit it on the full volley is simply special. This isn’t just the best goal of the week it’s one of the best of the year, without a doubt. No keeper in the world is saving that strike. 

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