James netted the best goal of the World Cup

It was a goal which has delighted everyone. James Rodríguez's great performance in the World Cup made Real Madrid sit up and take notice, and the incredible goal which he scored against Uruguay in the last 16 of the Brazil World Cup played a big part in that. FIFA.com readers voted his strike the best of the entire tournament, which was won by Germany after they defeated Argentina in the final.

The Monaco midfielder fired home an impressive volley from outside the box, beating the goalkeeper Fernando Muslera after bringing down an Abel Aguilar clearance with his chest. Over four million readers voted on the FIFA website and more than 75 percent of them deemed his goal worthy of being lauded as the best of the 171 goals scored during the Brazil World Cup. This same goal had already won by a large margin in the MARCA.com poll.

James Rodríguez also took third place with the goal which he scored against Japan in the group stage. Second on the podium was the Dutchman Robin van Persie with the goal which he netted against Spain in the first game played by Vicente del Bosque's side. This was the third time that a South American player has received the accolade. In South Africa 2010 the award went to Uruguay's Diego Forlán and in Germany 2006 it went to Argentina's Maxi Rodríguez.