Angel Di Maria Just Scored The World Cup's Best Goal Yet

Well, it's only half time in the first game of the knockout stages for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but we can basically go home right now.

Angel Di Maria has just scored almost definitely the goal of the tournament so far. He absolutely smashed the ball from distance past the flailing, despairing dive of Hugo Lloris.

OK, he could have been a bit better closed down, and to give anyone the opportunity to have a crack from there is silly, bordering on criminal, but to beat one of the world's best goalkeepers with a strike like that is still worthy of winning goal of the tournament.

Even El Diego is happy about it - and if El Diego is happy, all is right in the world.

France took the lead through an Antoine Griezmann early in the first half. Some searing pace from Kylian Mbappe through the centre of the pitch led to the young Paris St Germain forward being unceremoniously hauled down by the hapless Marcos Rojo.

Rojo was the hero at the end of his country's last group game, scoring a late volley to send them through against Senegal, but the Manchester United man was very much the villain on this occasion.

Griezmann made no mistake from the spot as he coolly slotted the ball past Armani, the Argentine goalkeeper, and it looked very much like France were in control - at least, until Angel Di Maria made what is really his first telling contribution at this tournament.

It was also his side's first shot on target of the game, that stat doesn't really matter if you're going to shoot like that.

Even Leo Messi had a smile on his face. The World's Greatest Player (don't @ me) has cut a bit of a moody, disconsolate figure so far in Russia, but if he can kick into gear and his side can grab another, they'll fancy themselves in the second half.

There is still a lot of football to be played yet, to trot out a tired old cliche.

At the break, the two sides are locked at one goal apiece, and it promises to become even more of an enthralling and intriguing contest as it wears on and the legs start to tire.

Bring on extra time and penalties, eh?

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, Russia 2018, FIFA, Goal, Messi, Argentina, World Cup, France

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a freelance journalist and LADbible contributor. He graduated from University of London with a BA in Philosophy before studying for a Masters in Journalism at the University of Salford. He has previously written for the M.E.N Group as well as working for several top professional sports clubs. Contact him on [email protected]

@TPWagwim