20 Best Goals of 2012

20. Ben Arfa v Blackburn Rovers

To kick us off is this memorable FA Cup moment from the Frenchmen, a goal Lionel Messi would be proud of. Hatem Ben Arfa's equaliser against Blackburn were the first glimpses the Toon Army faithful witnessed of the rollercoaster 2012 they were about to embark on. Newcastle would go on to win the game in the 90th minute with a well taken Gutiérrez goal but few remember that now, but Ben Arfa's goal lives on. http://youtu.be/0NgRybIZ4eo

19. Messi v Brazil

The little Argentine broke Gerd Muller's record of goals scored in a calendar year. He amassed no more than an incredible 91 goals this year alone. I, like many others, have a strong feeling that his record won't be broken in a very long time, if at all. One criticism thrown at Messi though it that he failed to replicate his club form on the international stage. Well, this goal against Brazil certainly attacks that idea. http://youtu.be/HR2zbvv-OYM

18. Ibrahimovic v England

We all saw this, played over and over again. You're probably sick of it. But in terms of technique, balance, power and accuracy, you cannot fault this wondergoal. I'm sick of hearing people say 'There was no goalkeeper on the line, open goal blah blah blah...'. Part of football is a players mentality. Watch it back. Firstly, question this. How many players would even attempt this? Secondly, how many would have executed this successfully. Finally, those that would attempt this, and score, would celebrate in the mellow manner for a goal of this magnitude in the style Zlatan did. No one. Pure genius. http://youtu.be/Xh_KNH8QqSw