At last summer’s Women’s World Cup, Colombian winger Linda Caicedo scored a goal against pre-tournament favorite Germany that typified the skills that make her a budding global star.
The 18-year-old raced towards a deflected shot inside the German penalty area where two opponents quickly converged to close her down. Caicedo took one soft touch and then baited the two Germans by allowing the ball to trickle idly in front of her. She fluttered her feet in quick succession. When the Germans stepped towards her, Caicedo dragged the ball to her left with her right foot then quickly slalomed between them, before finishing spectacularly. It was a calculated move from a gifted player.
Caicedo’s shot nestled into the top corner of the German net, and Bedlam ensued at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. Caicedo was no longer a potential gamebreaker. She had officially announced herself to the world as a different type of talent.
Her stunning strike in that Group H match against Germany was voted as the best goal of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. It has been nominated for a FIFA Puskas Award as the best goal of the year, and Caicedo was shortlisted for the women’s Ballon d’Or. She also played in two youth World Cups last year and signed with Real Madrid in February. Accolades are becoming…
