Tim Cahill’s stunning World Cup goal against the Netherlands has received global applause including praise from the biggest names in football.
Cahill struck a screaming, left-foot volley into the top of the Netherlands’ net just 60 seconds after Dutch star Arjen Robben had opened the scoring in the Group B match at Porto Alegre.
Australia went ahead in the second half after captain Mile Jedinak converted a chance from the penalty spot, but eventually lost 3-2 to a Dutch side that had thumped defending champions Spain 5-1 in its first game of the World Cup.
The Netherlands were supposed to coast past Australia for a stranglehold over the rest of Group B. Australia’s Tim Cahill, however, had other plans.
Cahill’s left-footed volley, perhaps the best goal of World Cup 2014, stunned the Dutch. After celebrating the Robben goal, the Netherlands’ defense was unable to intercept a beautiful lob assist from defender Ryan McGowan. From the left side, Cahill used a gorgeous one-touch from distance, which hit the crossbar and then went down and into the goal past goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
The performance by the lowly-ranked Socceroos stunned the world with the biggest talking point being Cahill’s great goal, the fifth for the 34-year-old in three World Cup appearances.
Former England international Philip Neville, who played with Cahill at English Premier League club Everton, declared it a better goal than the lauded effort by Robin van Persie in the Netherland’s win over Spain.
#TimCahill has now scored more #Worldcup goals than Ronaldo, Messi and Rooney combined. Sorry lads. Well done Roo’s pic.twitter.com/60jlPJI5m7
— GFE Sport (@GFEsport) June 20, 2014
Is that better than rvp’s goal vs Spain? I think it is!!
— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) June 18, 2014
Wow! Tim Cahill has scored an absolute stonker!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 18, 2014
The underdog Australians managed to keep the ball deep in Netherlands territory for portions of the match, but couldn’t score until attacking from the air. For much of the first half, the Aussies have held their ground. They surprisingly have controlled possession for 55 percent of the match, and have out-shot the Dutch, 5-2.
Via abc.net.au and ibtimes.com
