What are 10 of the best free kick goals in World Cup history? Learn about some of the best free kicks we’ve ever seen at the tournament, and who scored them.
Being the biggest football tournament on the planet, the World Cup has contained some truly special moments throughout its history – including some impressive freekicks scored by some of the top footballers from around the globe.
Though there have been many incredible strikes from free kicks, what are some of the best?
This blog runs through 10 of the best free kick goals in World Cup history, breaking down each effort and what made them so special. Keep reading below to find out more about these brilliant goals, the players who scored them and what they meant in the context of the match.
Alternatively, check out all the latest World Cup match odds, if you think you can predict who’ll come away with a win – even better if it’s in style.
Roberto Carlos vs China (2002)
Group C had Brazil playing China en route to winning their fifth World Cup title. To open the scoring in the 15th minute, Roberto Carlos smashed in a long-range strike. Flying past the Chinese defensive wall, it found its way past the keeper and into the left-hand side of the goal.
His effort began what turned out to be a 4-0 thrashing, giving the South Americans the confidence to dominate their group and qualify for the knockout stages with ease. What a goal to kick start our list of the best World Cup free kicks.
Ronaldinho vs England (2002)
The quarter-finals positioned England as Brazil’s opponents at the 2002 World Cup, which proved to be a close matchup. After going 1-0 down, Rivaldo levelled the score before half-time and set up a tense second half.
In the 50th minute, though, a moment of magic turned the fate of the game: Ronaldinho caught David Seaman off-guard, with his floated effort from distance gliding over the keeper and into the top left corner. Giving Brazil the lead, it was a vital goal that saw them progress after winning 2-1. More importantly, it was a huge victory that helped them on their way to winning a fifth World Cup.
Diego Forlan vs Ghana (2010)
The quarter-finals of the 2010 tournament saw Uruguay come up against a high-flying Ghana team in what proved to be a close matchup. Just before half-time, Uruguay fell behind, but they responded quickly in the second half.
Just ten minutes after the restart, in the 55th minute, the South American side won a free kick on the left-hand side of the pitch. Up stepped Diego Forlan, whose effort curled into the top right corner past a diving Richard Kingson. Levelling the scores at 1-1, the game ended in a penalty win for Uruguay, who progressed to the semi-final.
Of course, you might better-remember this game for another set piece involving a certain Luis Suarez red card!
Keisuke Honda vs Denmark (2010)
Japan’s group stage clash was highlighted by Keisuke Honda’s stunning strike to give them the lead against Denmark. Only 17 minutes into the game, Japan earned a free kick on the right-hand side about 35 yards out. Despite looking impossible given the angle, Honda struck the ball with venom and confidence, firing it into the left-hand side of the goal.
His amazing strike gave Japan the lead and kickstarted an important 3-1 win that helped them finish second and qualify from the group.
Lionel Messi vs Nigeria (2014)
Group F had Argentina up against Nigeria, with the two playing in the final fixture of the group stages. The game started in dramatic fashion with the score already at 1-1 by the fourth minute, setting the tone strongly.
Though it looked like the first half would end with the scores level, Lionel Messi took the game into his own hands, brilliantly guiding his free kick into the top left corner just before the break. Despite there being more goals in the game, Messi’s free kick was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Albiceleste, helping greatly on their journey to the final.
David Luiz vs Colombia (2014)
In a showdown between two South American nations, the 2014 quarter-finals pit Brazil against Colombia. Thiago Silva gave the Selecao an early lead in the seventh minute, but the game was far from over. David Luiz rocketed a long-range free kick into the top right corner, putting Brazil in dreamland and 2-0 ahead in the 69th minute.
The goal proved vital to their progression into the semi-final, with Colombia scoring from a penalty only 11 minutes later. The context of the goal earns it a place among our list of the best World Cup free kicks.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Spain (2018)
In a thrilling encounter between Portugal and Spain during the opening match of the group stage, Cristiano Ronaldo produced a mesmerising moment of individual brilliance. With the scoreline standing 3-2 in favour of Spain, Portugal were in desperate need of a goal. Fortunately, having already scored twice, Ronaldo was certainly in a goal-scoring mood.
In the 87th minute, from a relatively central position, Ronaldo’s knuckleball effort whistled into the top right corner and left Spanish keeper David de Gea rooted to the spot. Levelling the game at 3-3, it was a vital point for Portugal’s campaign.
Toni Kroos vs Sweden (2018)
In a group stage meeting between Germany and Sweden, the scores were level at 1-1 in the 95th minute. With Germany needing a win to have any hope of progressing from the group, they were searching desperately for a goal.
Winning a free kick on the left-hand side of the penalty area, Toni Kroos rolled the ball to teammate Marco Reus, before curling his shot into the far side of the net. Winning the game for Germany, it gave them a crucial three points. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t enough to progress into the knockouts.
Kieran Trippier vs Croatia (2018)
Only five minutes into the semi-final game against Croatia, England managed to win a free kick just outside the penalty area. Up stepped Kieran Trippier – England’s free kick specialist – who whipped his strike into the top corner beautifully, leaving the Croatia goalkeeper with no chance.
Giving England a 1-0 lead at the time, it was a monumental goal in England’s hunt for silverware and jubilation ensued. Despite this, the Three Lions went on to lose the game 2-1 in extra-time, breaking English hearts once again.
Marcus Rashford vs Wales (2022)
Though England were favourites in this group game, the half-time whistle saw the score still level at 0-0. It took less than five minutes into the second half, however, for the first goal to be scored; Marcus Rashford fired his free kick from the left-hand side into the top right corner, leaving Danny Ward completely helpless.
Kickstarting England’s scoring spree, the Three Lions then went on to win comfortably, ending the game with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Honourable Mentions
As topics like this can be considered subjective, it’s easy to argue that other free kicks should make it into this list too. We get it – everyone has their World Cup favourites. So, below are a few other memorable free kick goals… how many do you remember?
Another English stunner that deserves its place among conversations about the best World Cup free kick goals, the strike scored by David Beckham against Colombia in 1998 is one that lives in the memory of many England fans. In a must-win final group game against Colombia, England were under pressure to find a result. His 29th-minute free kick goal was struck into the bottom left corner from distance, giving England a 2-0 lead and helping them to a vital three points to qualify for the knockouts.
One of the most recent free kicks scored at the World Cup, Luis Chavez’s goal against Saudi Arabia in 2022 was a frankly incredible strike. Already 1-0 up, Mexico needed to strengthen their lead before Saudi Arabia could pull one back. In the 52nd minute – only five minutes after the team’s first goal – Chavez rifled his shot into the back of the net from 33 yards out to double their advantage. The goal helped Mexico to victory as they went on to win 2-1, though it wasn’t enough to qualify for the knockout stages as they were eliminated on goal difference.
Finally, Robin van Persie’s goal against Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup was a crucial one. Giving the Dutch the lead 23 minutes into the game, van Persie thundered his free kick past the wall and into the left-hand side of the goal during the group stage. His strike helped them to a 2-1 win and gave them three points towards progressing from the group stages.
