Gareth Bale vs Liverpool
This goal was not only the best goal of 2018, it was also scored in the most clutch situation. To produce a goal like this in a Champions League final with the game tied at 1-1, and with less than 30 minutes remaining is simply phenomenal. The Welshman twisted his body to meet a cross that was behind him, and managed to somehow score an overhead kick from nearly the edge of the penalty area.
Bale’s strike was clearly the best goal of the year, and it is probably the best in Champions League history. Although he missed out on the Puskas award, Bale still has his Champions League winners medal, something Salah will likely never win if he remains at Liverpool.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Juventus
This strike by the Portuguese legend was an incredible acrobatic goal, scored during a vital Champions League knockout game. The goal came after Dani Carvajal aimlessly lobbed a ball into the box, only for Ronaldo to somehow adjust his 33 year old body and score a stunning overhead kick from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo’s strike was so brilliant that it would have been a deserving winner in most years of the Puskas award, however his former teammate then went on to score an even better goal in the Champions League Final.
Toni Kroos vs Sweden
With defending champions Germany seconds away from crashing out of the World Cup, Toni Kroos scored one of the best free kicks in World Cup history. The midfielder could only score by putting the ball into the far right corner, a fact that the goalkeeper would also have been aware of.
The German passed short to his teammate, who stopped the ball on the spot, and then Toni Kroos ran up and smashed the ball home into the far right corner. The angle for the free kick made it look impossible, but Kroos hit the ball with such power and accuracy that he incredibly found the back of the net. Bonus points also for how clutch it was, Germany were twenty seconds from going home.
