54 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
David Luiz
Brazil v Colombia
Brazil 2014 | Quarter-finals
Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
David Ospina, casually chewing gum, cut a relaxed figure as he lined his wall up and casually trotted from right to left. Brazil’s free-kick was 33 yards out. Four red-shirted soldiers were forming a barricade to goal. Even if the taker did get it past them, the Colombia goalkeeper was covering what he predicted was the only place it could realistically threaten to switch the scoreboard.
The taker was, however, a seldom striker of the ball. David Luiz employed his knuckleball technique to move the adidas Brazuca through the Cearense air. Ospina, despite being almost where it ended up when the kick was struck, couldn’t keep it out. It ultimately nicked the Seleção a 2-1 win.
“I spent the whole year working on it at Chelsea,” said David Luiz post-match. “I knew that one day the gods would repay my efforts. That day was today. I’m over the moon.”
