Lionel Messi adds a World Cup cracker to Russia 2018 great goals collection

The World Cup has delivered a flurry of stunning goals, including Lionel Messi’s first of the tournament as Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the knock-out stages.

Here Press Association Sport looks at some of the best goals of Russia 2018 to date.

Marcos Rojo, Argentina v Nigeria, June 26

Lionel Messi, Argentina v Nigeria, June 26

With Argentina’s hopes hanging by a thread, there was much expectation on Messi. And the talismanic Barcelona forward delivered after 14 minutes when he ran on to Ever Banega’s clipped pass which had turned the Nigeria defence. Messi controlled the ball on his thigh, took one touch and then fired in right-footed with his next.

Andre Carrillo, Peru v Australia, June 26

Carrillo’s volley sent Peru on their way to a first World Cup finals win in 40 years. Paolo Guerrero crossed from the left side of the area to the right, where the onrushing Carrillo met the ball with a crisp strike into the bottom corner.

Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal v Iran, June 25

Jesse Lingard, England v Panama, June 24

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard played a one-two with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and then curled the ball from the edge of the area into the top right corner for England’s third in a 6-1 rout of Panama.

Toni Kroos, Germany v Sweden, June 23

Germany, the holders, were facing the prospect of early elimination but Kroos’ fine free-kick completed a turnaround which kept their hopes of qualification alive. Kroos improved the angle of a free-kick by playing the ball to Marco Reus and then sent the ball arcing from the left edge of the penalty area into the far corner for a dramatic late winning goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal v Spain, June 15

Aleksandr Golovin, Russia v Saudi Arabia, June 14