James Rodríguez dictated play at the Maracanã and won the Puskás Award

James Rodríguez etched his name in World Cup history with a spectacular goal against Uruguay during the 2014 tournament in Brazil. The Colombian midfielder, who had arrived as a star player after a brilliant season with Monaco, was instrumental in Colombia's impressive run in the group stage, defeating Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan.

In the Round of 16 match at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, Rodríguez showcased his brilliance. At the 28th minute, receiving a headed pass from Abel Aguilar, he controlled the ball with his chest with his back to the goal. From approximately 25 meters out, he unleashed a stunning left-footed volley that struck the crossbar before finding the net. This extraordinary strike was later recognized with the Puskás Award for the best goal of 2014.

Rodríguez didn't stop there, adding a second goal in the second half to seal a historic 2-0 victory for Colombia, securing their place in the quarterfinals. His performance throughout the tournament was exceptional, finishing as the top scorer with six goals. Colombia's remarkable journey was eventually halted by the host nation, Brazil, in the subsequent round.