The 2026 World Cup has produced moments of individual brilliance that will live in tournament highlight reels for decades. With only the third-place match and the final remaining, here are the best goals 2026 world cup has delivered, from group-stage stunners to the semifinal strikes that sent nations home.
Enzo Fernandez vs England, Semifinal (85′)
The goal that changed the final. With Argentina trailing 1-0 and five minutes of normal time remaining, Fernandez collected the ball 25 yards from goal, shifted onto his right foot, and bent a swerving strike past Jordan Pickford into the far corner. It was pure technique under the most extreme pressure imaginable, the kind of goal that turns a semifinal on its axis. Fernandez had already seen a shot tipped over the bar moments earlier, and the persistence made the finish even more satisfying. Argentina went on to win 2-1 and reach the final.
Messi vs Egypt, Round of 16 (75′)
Argentina were 2-1 down and staring at elimination when Messi produced the goal of the tournament. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, he turned, shifted onto his left foot, and curled a shot into the far corner with the precision and calmness that has defined his career. It was his 19th World Cup goal, officially surpassing Klose’s all-time record, scored at the moment Argentina needed it most. The celebration, a quiet point to the sky, carried the weight of history.
Julian Alvarez vs Switzerland, Quarterfinal (112′)
With the quarterfinal locked at 2-2 and heading toward penalties, Alvarez collected a clearance 25 yards out, took one touch to set himself, and unleashed a dipping strike that flew into the top corner. The sheer audacity of attempting such a shot in the 112th minute of a World Cup quarterfinal, with penalties seconds away, made it unforgettable. Argentina won 3-1 after extra time.
Lamine Yamal’s Dribbling Runs
No single Yamal goal stands out above the others, but his body of work does. The 18-year-old’s mazy dribbles from the right wing, cutting inside on his left foot and either finishing or creating, have been the tournament’s most exciting recurring image. His run and shot against France in the semifinal, ruled out by a marginal offside, would have been among the goals of the tournament had it stood. Yamal’s influence extends beyond statistics: he draws fouls, creates space for others, and has been Spain’s most important attacking threat in every knockout match.
Anthony Gordon vs Argentina, Semifinal (55′)
England’s moment of the tournament. Morgan Rogers delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Gordon attacked it with a first-time strike that beat Emiliano Martinez with raw power and precision. For 30 minutes, it looked like the goal that would send England to the final. It did not, but the finish itself was as clean as any in the tournament.
The Final Could Add More
With Messi, Yamal, Fernandez, and Oyarzabal all on the pitch on Sunday, the final has every chance of producing the tournament’s defining goal. For the full breakdown of what is at stake, see our Spain vs Argentina final preview, and for every individual award including the Golden Ball for best player, our awards explainer covers them all. All official highlights at FIFA.com.
