There is no doubting when James Rodríguez’s career peaked. It was just before the half-hour mark in Colombia’s 2014 World Cup last-16 tie against Uruguay at the Maracanã. A clearance was headed back to him, 25 yards from goal. He took the ball on his chest, turned and, as the ball dropped, hit a dipping volley over Fernando Muslera and in off the underside of the bar. He got the second as well in a 2–0 win that took Colombia to its first World Cup quarterfinal.
It was voted goal of the tournament, and it helped James to the Golden Boot.