via www.ronaldo7.net

Yesterday more than 400 million viewers worldwide witnessed a magical pass from Ozil that lead to Ronaldo’s monstrous speed and his final shot. I’m certain million football fans will watch it again and again years to come. But unfortunately most of the highlights tend to ignore the development of the goal.

Everything starts with Arbeloa pressing Tello for the hundred times in the game. There is no need to say he gets rewarded for the hundred and first time. Then he passes the ball to Di Maria and they link up with a beautiful one-two passes. Suddenly Di Maria starts his run and with his movement he takes five players from Barcelona’s side out of the game. One of them is Busquets. One of his responsibilities was marking Ozil throughout the match.

We have seen the rest of the advancement for numerous times. However, I have to watch it times and time again until I can feel I have seen it enough. Ozil curves the ball with inside of his left foot toward the left side of Barcelona defense. For some reason there is no defender there and consequently it opens huge gap, which Ozil uses it to create enough time for Ronaldo’s run. Ronaldo easily beat Mascherano with his top speed. Oh man, they could run forever, and there was no chance Mascherano could catch up. Valdes on the other had was too slow to come out of his line and clear the ball, which put him in a very bad position to react to Ronaldo's shot. Ronaldo beautifully round the ball around him, and Madrid goes in front once more. The ball was destined to go in. Same as the arrow that went to Pep Guardiola’s heart.*

This goal should be remembered as it is, bit by bit, A Masterpiece.

*For understanding this metaphor, you have to see Guardiola’s reaction to the second goal.