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With more games than any previous World Cup, it comes as no surprise that a wealth of breathtaking goals have been scored across North America.
Thunderous long-range efforts, magical solo runs and beautifully constructed team goals have all been on display at this summer's tournament, delivered by both the sport's biggest stars and some previously unheralded entertainers.
Such a rich collection of strikes makes it difficult to trim the list down to five, but Sports Illustrated has taken on the thankless task.
Here are the finest goals we've seen so far—and apologies in advance if your favorite doesn't make the list.
5. Lionel Messi vs. Algeria
Imagine witnessing Messi's goal from this angle... pic.twitter.com/ES54XSSDHq
Would it truly be a World Cup without a Lionel Messi stunner?
The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient has been in typically lethal form for Argentina as he chases back-to-back titles, and he got off to the ideal start by bagging a hat-trick in his opening fixture against Algeria.
Having already had a goal disallowed for offside, Messi had to wait until just the 17th minute to get his tournament account underway. After receiving the ball deep inside Algerian territory, the veteran turned, surged toward the penalty area and unleashed a sublime effort past Luca Zidane to break the deadlock.
The ball soared through the air, dipping and curling its way into the top corner as Messi announced himself in emphatic fashion.
4. Kerim Alajbegović vs. Qatar
Alajbegović BANGER 🇧🇦
What a solo goal to put his side in front first! pic.twitter.com/N95ApKvdQd
There was something wonderfully Messi-esque about the goal conjured by 18-year-old Bosnia & Herzegovina prodigy Kerim Alajbegović in his side's 3–1 win over Qatar in the group stage.
The teenager weaved past several white shirts with the close control and nimble grace of the Argentine icon, before unleashing a ferocious shot from 25 yards that crashed into the near post.
The strike was not only breathtaking, but absolutely vital. As the opener in the victory, Alajbegović's goal helped Bosnia and Herzegovina secure three pivotal points and a historic first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds as an independent nation.
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3. Kylian Mbappé vs. Senegal
Absolute GOLAZO from Mbappé! 🇫🇷
Kylian Mbappé is now France's ALL-TIME leading goalscorer pic.twitter.com/5phfectcIY
Kylian Mbappé is a completely different animal in World Cup mode. The France star reserves his most dazzling performances for the biggest occasions, and wasted no time settling into life in North America as he led Les Bleus to a 3–1 triumph over Senegal in their opening match.
Mbappé's first goal was composed and clinical, set up by a brilliant pass from Michael Olise, but his second of the evening was on an entirely different level.
Having just watched Senegal cut France's two-goal lead in stoppage time, Mbappé gathered a loose ball in midfield and rifled a ferocious effort spiraling past Édouard Mendy from nearly 30 yards out. The Senegal goalkeeper had no answer to the shot's power and accuracy.
Mbappé has produced some remarkable World Cup goals, including one in the final itself at just 19 years old, but this may well have been his most visually stunning effort yet.
2. Wilson Isidor vs. Haiti
OH MY ISIDOR!!!
HE SCORES AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER TO PUT HAITI BACK IN FRONT OVER MOROCCO 🇭🇹 pic.twitter.com/i1IWQBQSsV
Haiti already knew they had been knocked out of the World Cup heading into their third group stage clash against Morocco, but the underdogs were intent on at least celebrating a goal in their final outing after goalless losses to Scotland and Brazil.
Not only did Haiti find the net twice against their North African opponents, they produced one of the competition's standout goals.
Wilson Isidor, who had only committed his international future to Haiti in March, was the man behind the moment in question, rifling a pinpoint thunderbolt past Yassine Bounou, who was completely powerless to stop the Sunderland forward's effort.
Haiti has scored just four World Cup goals in total, yet many established nations have never managed one so remarkable on the tournament stage.
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1. Sidny Lopes Cabral vs. Argentina
Sidny Lopes Cabral with an ABSOLUTE GOLAZO to bring Cape Verde level with Argentina in extra time 😱
INCREDIBLE SCENES pic.twitter.com/ox1DColGJv
Cabo Verde was the undisputed fairy tale of the World Cup, and their final performance was their most remarkable. Despite ultimately falling to defending champions Argentina, the tournament's greatest surprise package pushed them all the way to extra time, only bowing out to a 3–2 defeat through an unfortunate own goal.
Cabo Verde's first was a neatly-finished strike, but their equalizer in extra time was something truly extraordinary—and arrived from an unexpected source.
Trabzonspor left back Sidny Lopes Cabral wrote himself into the history books with an unmatched wonder goal, cutting inside and curling a precise beauty into the top corner from the left side of the penalty area. Even one of the world's finest goalkeepers, Emiliano Martínez, was left completely stunned.
The celebration was equally memorable, with Cabral sprinting all the way back to his own half before spotting his partner in the crowd and sharing a heartfelt embrace. The kind of moment that perfectly encapsulates why the World Cup holds such a special place in the world's heart.