Spain vs Netherlands: Robin van Persie's goal started with a 40-yard pass from Daley Blind, who launched the ball from just inside the halfway line. With Persie running through the middle of the Spain defence, the Manchester United forward flung himself forward to meet it inside the area, diving at full stretch and sending his delicate header sailing over a helpless Iker Casillas in goal. Photo: AP
Colombia vs Uruguay: Colombia's James Rodriguez (L) provided one of the best goals of the tournament with a swivel-and-volley move that left fans gasping in delight. He chested the ball down with his back to goal well outside the area and in one fluid motion turned around and fired a left-foot volley that went off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. Photo: AP
Argentina vs Iran: Lionel Messi had scored scores of goals in his career, but it was a late strike against Iran that stands out at this year’s World Cup for both its beauty and its importance. The Argentina forward used the outside of his foot to scoop the ball to the left, took three quick steps and shot just before Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejad could stretch his leg out to block it. Photo: AP
Brazil vs Colombia: Lining up 35 metres out, Brazil's David Luiz (4) side-footed the ball with his right boot, sending it over a defensive wall of four and beyond the reach of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina. It was a special goal, and it left many wondering how he was able to get such precision off the side of his foot. Photo: AP
Australia vs Netherlands: Australia's Tim Cahill (L) ran onto to a looping pass from Ryan McGowan and hit a perfectly-timed volley with his weaker left foot from about 11 yards out. Photo: AP
US vs Ghana: United States' Clint Dempsey (8) scored his first goal of the tournament only 30 seconds into the match, the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history. DaMarcus Beasley started the build-up with a pass to Jermaine Jones, who fed it to Dempsey inside the penalty area. Then, with a nifty move to split Ghana defenders John Boye and Sulley Muntari, Dempsey sent the left-footed shot past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, where the ball bounced off the post and in. Photo: AP
Switzerland vs Honduras: Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri (L) collected the ball outside the top right corner of the area, dribbled to avoid a pair of defenders and then launched a curling shot toward the top left corner of the net that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Photo: AP
Colombia vs Japan: Colombia's James Rodriguez (R) finished off a sublime individual display by twisting and turning through a tired Japanese defence and chipping in an astonishing goal with a minute left. Photo: AP
Netherlands vs Spain: Netherlands' Arjen Robben (R) collected a long pass from Daley Blind and then out-raced Spain defender Gerard Pique down the field. As he approached the area, Iker Casillas came out to cut down the angle, but the Spain goalkeeper got himself tangled up as Robben twisted around before scoring with a shot past both Pique and Sergio Ramos. Photo: AP
Germany vs Algeria: Germany's Andre Schuerrle (L) provided one of the most subtle of the top goals with his heel. Thomas Mueller provided a cross from the left flank that was slightly behind Schuerrle. The Germany forward dragged his left leg and backheeled the ball into the far corner. Photo: AP