At this point in the 2022 World Cup, supporters can focus best scores from Matchday 1 on being delighted by the world’s top football players rather than the off-field drama that has plagued the tournament so far.
Sunday’s games between Qatar and Ecuador were a lot of fun, and three more games will take place on Monday to get the tournament into full swing. There have been a lot of goals, and a few of them have been very good.
Here are the best goals from the first day of the winter World Cup.
1. Enner Valencia vs Qatar
People who watch the Premier League know Enner Valencia from his time at West Ham and on loan at Everton. He reintroduced himself by keeping up his great track record at World Cups.
He scored the first goal with a penalty, then did a great job of getting on the end of Angelo Preciado’s cross and powering a header past Saad Al-Sheeb.
2. Jude Bellingham vs Iran
There are a lot of young stars who want to shine at the 2022 World Cup, but England’s big win over Iran was set off by Jude Bellingham.
After a long delay at the start of the game because Alireza Beiranvand was hurt, the Borussia Dortmund teenager opened the scoring by heading in Luke Shaw’s cross after some beautiful buildup play.
Bellingham had a lot of drive and bite in midfield, but a Three Lions teammate’s two goals may have taken the spotlight away from him.
3. Bukayo Saka vs Iran
It’s crazy to think that there was any question about whether or not Bukayo Saka should actually begin for England at this World Cup. He is, in a word, amazing.
The Arsenal star scored twice in Iran’s 6-2 win, but his first goal may have been the best of the eight scored.
Shaw took a corner kick, and when the ball fell, Saka was free to hit a half-volley that went up and over the goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini, who had come on as a substitute. Even his second wasn’t bad.
4. Mehdi Taremi vs England
Despite how good England was at attacking, they still made some mistakes on defense, which Iran used to score two goals.
Both goals were scored by Mehdi Taremi, who was famous for his incredible overhead kick against Chelsea. The first was a quick shot that went past Jordan Pickford’s open arms.
The Porto striker scored his second goal after a controversial penalty was given late in the second half.
5. Timothy Weah vs Wales
George Weah might easily top a list of the greatest players who never participated in a World Cup. His kid made a significant impression in his World Cup debut.
The Lille star was aided by lenient Welsh defence, but it should not diminish his run and finish.
Although it was an excellent goal, it was not a game-winner. Gareth Bale’s penalty kick helped Wales fight back for a 1-1 draw.
