James Rodriguez strike against Uruguay has been voted Goal of the Tournament by over four million FIFA.com users, beating out Robin van Persie’s header and Tim Cahill’s volley for the top honor in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Twenty-eight minutes into their Round of 16 match, Colombian midfielder Abel Aguilar looped a header towards Rodriguez, whose back was to the goal, and with just two touches the 23-year-old blasted a strike past Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
The majestic quality of the goal was one of the enduring images of the World Cup in Brazil.
Rodriguez chested the ball softly over his head, swiveled his body instantly and unleashed a heavenly, dipping shot that hit the underside of the cross bar before bouncing into the back of the goal.
The strike sent the 70,000 people in attendance at Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro into hysterics and gave Colombia an early 1-0 lead (they would later win, 2-0, after another Rodriguez goal).
The attacking Colombian midfielder is now the third successive South American to win the award from FIFA. Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina) won for his strike against Mexico during the 2006 event in Germany and Diego Forlan (Uruguay) was awarded for his goal in the third-place play-off at South Africa 2010.
Along with his Goal of the Tournament award, Rodriguez has had an eventful summer as he was named the winner of the Golden Boot trophy in Brazil and he is reportedly one 1-2 days away from securing a transfer from AS Monaco to the Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
