World Cup

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Football’s pace is often frantic, regularly measured, and sometimes even slowed to a crawl depending on the game’s flow. But regardless of how tempo is dictated by opposing companies, one fundamental principle of the sport shines above all others, in any weather – striking.

The ability to simultaneously read the goalkeeper’s body language while touching the right mix of powerful foot to ball to score a point is an art form all to itself. Not necessarily having to be a fantastic feat of bicycle kick wonderment or even a highlight reel-worthy defender-splitting rope, a consistent ability to strike on target speaks volumes and commands respect for the mighty possessor of this talent.

The World Cup certainly showcases the best strikers in the football world. And every four years, we fans of the great game get the opportunity to bicker amongst ourselves and crown—maybe even prematurely—the best striker(s) of the tournament.

World Cup’s Best Strikers

Landon Donovan

Starting with the underdog Americans in this striking epic, we’ll look as Landon Donovan and his potential for goal-scoring as the US hopes to push toward the sweet 16. In his homeland, you would be hard-pressed to find any US casino online or sportsbook not giving favorable odds to Donovan’s likelihood of scoring a goal.

However, Donovan’s striking was looking suspect in the US’s draw with England, and there’s certainly no surety in Landon striking gold against the underdog Slovenia. So it’s safe to say the team no one expects to achieve will produce an unflattering striker when it’s all said and done.

Wayne Rooney

Speaking of England, Wayne Rooney was regarded as one of the best strikers in the world entering World Cup action. Rooney’s uncanny awareness makes him a threat to exploit any defensive weakness, and a powerful, poignant leg seems to guide the ball well. But like Donovan, Rooney went without a goal and may not improve vs. Algeria.

Luis Fabiano

The spread-out pace of the World Cup and the few opportunities to score doesn’t bode well for pre-favorites like Luis Fabiano of Brazil – another great striker so far scoreless in the tournament. But if Fabiano does anything well, other than argue, it’s scoring goals, and Brazil is favorite over both Côte d’Ivoire and Portugal, giving the striker a real opportunity to wow us all with a few impressive goals along the way.

Diego Forlan

A striker not on any real list pre World Cup was Uruguay’s Diego Forlan. But after netting twice in his team’s 3-0 win over host South Africa, the 31-year-old striker is in prime position to top this year’s tournament as the best in the business.

Forlan disappointed against France, 2006’s runner-up, but has another opportunity against Mexico to show off his striking ability. Mexico is a tough opponent, though, beating France 2-0, and may well shut the surprising star down.

It’s still too early to tell who the best striker will be when the tournament is over. But for right now, Diego has come across as most impressive, and Fabiano is still considered the most likely to break out and wow the fans.

Time will tell whose abilities leave a lasting impression, and we should all hope for some intense action down the stretch.

2010 World Cup - A Striking Event

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