GIF Gallery: The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week

RVP comes back to haunt Arsenal, and so much more.

Image via netease.com.

With a full slate of Champions League and Europa League fixtures during the week, we were supplied with an array of goals, assists, and saves that made us do several double-takes. Combine that with the standard class we were treated to from Europe’s top domestic leagues at the weekend, and that makes for one extraordinary collection of football goodies. A few old faces made their mark on some important affairs, and a few fresh faces showed their skill on the pitch, as well. From Tim Krul’s sensational denials to Cristiano Ronaldo doing what he does best, check out the second installment of our GIF Gallery: The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

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14. Ryan Giggs Breaks Ankles

Date: 11/5/2013
Match: Real Sociedad v. Manchester United
Competition: Champions League, group stage
Ground: Anoeta Stadium (San Sebastián, Spain)

Ryan Giggs maybe approaching the age of 40, but he showed midweek that he still has a few moves left in his bag of tricks. This back heel flick completely catches Sociedad by surprise, and leaves one player on the ground. If the Welshman has plans to call it quits anytime soon, United may want him to reconsider.

13. RVP Shows the Gunners What They Already Know They're Missing

Date: 11/10/2013
Match: Manchester United v. Arsenal
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)

It would be Robin van Persie to get his name on the score sheet first, and come back to haunt his old club in the process. This brilliant first-half header proved to be the winner for the Red Devils, and left the away supporters with painful memories of their former hero.

12. Oscar Cardozo's Domestic Ace

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Benfica v. Sporting Lisbon
Competition: Portuguese Cup, last 32
Ground: Estádio da Luz (Lisbon, Portugal)

Oscar Cardozo has impressed for both club and country during the past few seasons, and this free kick is another gem to add to his collection. Watch closely as Cardozo not only beats the Sporting wall, but nutmegs his own teammate before the ball finds it's way into the back of the net. This was one of Cardozo's three goals on the night, all of which were necessary in the 4-3 extra-time victory.

11. Iker Casillas Makes His Claim to be First Choice

Date: 11/5/2013
Match: Juventus v. Real Madrid
Competition: Champions League, group stage
Ground: Juventus Stadium (Turin, Italy)

In one of the weirdest storylines in football over the last year and change, Iker Casillas has gone from the stalwart of Madrid, to Diego Lopez's backup. Well, San Iker showed midweek in Turin that he's still one of the best in between the sticks. This outstretched save to deny Fernando Llorente from close range is exactly the Casillas we remember. Your move, Ancelotti.

10. Adam Lallana Doesn't Need Any Help

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Southampton v. Hull
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: St. Mary's Stadium (Southampton, England)

The Saints have certainly been the early shock of the season as they currently sit third in the Premier League table. Captain, Adam Lallana, has had much to do with the team's success, and this wonderful solo run and finish is exactly the type of magic that's lighting up St. Mary's this season.

9. Luis Suarez Shows His Quality Once More

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Liverpool v. Fulham
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: Anfield (Liverpool, England)

Despite missing the first five games of Liverpool's season, striker Luis Suarez has managed to become the Premier League's joint top scorer. This finish was extremely telling of the Uruguayan's class, but the shimmy and through ball provided by Jordan Henderson deserves plenty of praise as well. The Reds, who ran out 4-0 winners on the day, clearly weren't shaken by last week's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.

8. Robert Snodgrass Wins it For Norwich

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Norwich v. West Ham
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: Carrow Road (Norwich, England)

Robert Snodgrass has become something of a talisman for the Canaries since they earned Premier League promotion, and with goals like this it's not hard to see why. This free kick left West Ham keeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, with no chance, and proved to be the winner with the scored tied 1-1 before the strike.

7. Leandro Bacuna Fires Villa Up the Table

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Aston Villa v. Cardiff
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: Villa Park (Birmingham, England)

Aston Villa picked up an important three points this weekend at home to Cardiff City, which saw them climb to 11th in the table. This beautiful free kick from Leandro Bacuna got the Villains off the mark late in the match, and left the Cardiff keeper rooted to his spot.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo Silences Blatter Once and For All

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Real Madrid v. Real Sociedad
Competition: La Liga match
Ground: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)

Surprise, surprise, Cristiano Ronaldo did it again. This brilliant trademark CR free kick gave the Portugal man his hat trick, and put Madrid up 4-1 on the day en route to a 5-1 final. Three goals and an assist is not a bad day at the office.

5. Tim Krul Denies Spurs, Twice

Date: 11/10/2013
Match: Tottenham v. Newcastle
Competition: Premier League match
Ground: White Hart Lane (London)

Tottenham were certainly the heavy favorites going into this home clash against lowly Newcastle, but Dutch keeper Tim Krul had other ideas. This brilliant double save to deny the Lilywhites kept Tottenham at bay, and meant that Loic Remy's clinical finish was enough to claim an important three points.

4. Ivica Olic Curls Wolfsburg in Front

Date: 11/9/2013
Match: Wolfsburg v. Borussia Dortmund
Competition: Bundesliga match
Ground: Volkswagen Arena (Wolfsburg, Germany)

The former Bayern Munich man came back to haunt Dortmund once more with this late winner for Wolfsburg on Saturday. The experienced Olic showed he still has plenty in the tank with this brilliant curling effort. The goal gave Wolfsburg all three points, and handed the Black and Yellow their second straight defeat.

3. Alan's Brilliance Silences the Home Crowd

Date: 11/7/2013
Match: Standard Liege v. Salzburg
Competition: Europa League, group stage
Ground: Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Liege, Belgium)

Who doesn't love a spectacular bicycle kick goal? This brilliant overhead volley from Alan put the game away for Salzburg on match day 4, earning his squad an important away victory in Belgium. Watch, enjoy, and repeat.

2. Paul Pogba Volleys Juventus Back into the Early Title Race

Date: 11/10/2013
Match: Juventus v. Napoli
Competition: Serie A match
Ground: Juventus Stadium (Turin, Italy)

Juventus firmly placed themselves back in the running for the Serie A title with their 3-0 win over Napoli on Sunday. This Paul Pogba wonder volley not only sealed all three points for the Old Lady, but served as a chilling reminder to the Manchester United faithful. Where you at, Glazers?

1. Eric de Oliveira Pereira with a Sensational Opener in Romania

Date: 11/7/2013
Match: Pandurii Targu-Jiu v. Fiorentina
Competition: Europa League, group stage
Ground: Tudor Vladimirescu (Târgu Jiu, Romania)

Pandurii may have ended up losing this match day five tilt against Fiorentina, but this chilena goal from Eric de Oliveira Pereira that opened the scoring was absolutely brilliant. The Brazilian shows his class and composure by timing his leap perfectly, and burying this one into the back of the net.

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