From RVP's flying header to Rodriguez's volley: The best goals of World Cup 2014

We haven’t even reached the quarter-final stage but already the 2014 World Cup is being considered as one of the best World Cups of all time. That’s because there has been plenty of free-flowing football and a feast of spectacular goals from Robin van Persie’s stunning flying header against Spain to James Rodriguez’s fantastic volley against Uruguay. Here are the best goals of World Cup 2014 so far:

- James Rodriguez, Colombia vs Japan

There isn’t an iota of doubt that James Rodriguez is destined for greatness. The 21-year old has been a revelation in this tournament and already has five goals and four assists. His goal against Japan was a glimpse of talent that this young lad possesses. In this goal he hared down the left, showed great dribbling abilities, completely dumbfounded the defender and then calmly chipped it over the keeper.

- Gervinho, Ivory Coast vs Colombia

Gervinho scored a fantastic goal against Colombia to in the 73rd minute after Ivory Coast had gone down 2-0. He skipped past three defenders from the left with some dazzling footwork and rocketed the ball past the Colombia keeper to make it 2-1. Ivory Coast eventually lost the match though.

Jermaine Jones, USA vs Portugal

Jones scored a snorter from outside the box against Portugal to help USA equalise after Portugal had take an early lead via Nani. In the build up to the equaliser, Jones side-stepped Nani and then unleashed a powerful curler into the far corner from outside the box.

Tim Cahill, Australia vs Netherlands

The Australian skipper led from the front and scored a stunning volley seconds after Robin van Persie had given the mighty Netherlands the lead in the 20th minute. Cahill met an angled ball from the right with a thumping left-foot volley which crashed into the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line. The fact that the Australian captain scored the goal with his weak foot made the goal all the more special.

Robin van Persie, Netherlands vs Spain

It was Van Persie who started it all with a mind-boggling flying headed goal against Spain as the Netherlands thrashed the defending champions 5-1. Spain took the lead in the 27th minute through a Xabi Alonso penalty but Van Persie leveled it at the stroke of half time with what he called “the best goal of his career”.

Daley Blind provided a perfect cross-field pass, the Manchester United striker kept his eyes on the ball, judged it to perfection, leaped in the air and headed it over the helpless Iker Casillas. It was a stunning goal.

Lionel Messi, Argentina vs Bosnia

Going into the tournament, there was a lot of pressure on Messi to reproduce his club heroics for country. He lived up to his expectations and single-handedly won Argentina the first couple of matches against Bosnia and Iran.

Argentina took the lead in as early as the third minute via an own goal from Kolasinac and then Messi doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a lovely solo goal. After a neat one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, Messi skipped past two defenders, who crashed into each other, and then rifled a low shot from 18 yards which hit the inside of the post and rolled over the line. Argentina won the match 2-1.

Lionel Messi, Argentina vs Iran

It was Messi again who sparkled against Iran with a wonderful solo goal. Iran put in a inspiring defensive performance for 90 minutes but it required the genius of Messi to unlock the resolute defense in stoppage time. Messi burst in from right, cut in and then unleashed a cracking curler from outside the box which whizzed past the diving goalkeeper. It was the goal that sent Argentina through to the round of 16.

James Rodriguez, Colombia vs Uruguay (Round of 16)

Rodriguez was at it again this time against Uruguay in the round of 16 and boy, he rocked the match with a splendid performance and scored what could turn out to the be the goal of the tournament to give Colombia the lead in the 28th minute. He cushioned a header onto his chest and then unleashed a stunning 25-yard volley which rocketed over the goalkeeper, struck the inside of crossbar and crossed the line. He would add a second as Colombia set-up a mouth-watering quarter-final with hosts Brazil.