siuuuuu 100: 100 of the best moments of the 2023/24 world football season (40-31)

Welcome to part seven of siuuuuu 100. Today we have some truly awe-inspiring and poetic moments of world football. Brilliant games, brilliant goals, and brilliant players, we have it all today. Let's get underway for some of the most beautiful moments of the season!

40: Andre Onana penalty save vs Copenhagen

After his terrible first two performances in the Champions League, it would be the last thing anyone thinks of that Onana will save a penalty and be the hero for his team. In Man United's first game with Copenhagen, they took the lead through a header from Harry Maguire the goat. However, in the last seconds of the game, Scott Mc Tominay conceded a penalty through a hand ball. Up steps the son of Henrik, Jordan Larsson. Surely 1-1. Nope. Onana palmed the ball away from goal and secured 3 out of United's 4 Champions League points this season. Absolute scenes.

39: Kevin de Bruyne goal and assist vs Newcastle

When Man City missed Kevin de Bruyne through an injury for the first half of the season, they were in trouble. Constantly in a title fight between Liverpool and Arsenal, and not dominating like last year's treble winning team. That changed when De Bruyne came back. In his first game back with the team against Newcastle, de Bruyne scored a long shot that skimmed into the bottom corner. Then, KDB did what he does best. With the game in stoppage time, KDB launched a beautiful pass right into the feed of youngster Bobb, who duly finished into an empty net with some flair. This game alone shows how integral de Bruyne is to the Man City team.

38: Lorient 3-3 Le Havre

This game was another one of these absolutely crazy games from lesser-known teams. Lorient and Le Havre faced each other in matchday 19 of the Ligue 1. Le Havre took the lead first from a penalty by Emmanuel Sabbi. Lorient then equalizes through a brilliant outside-of-the-box shot by Imran Louza. In the second half, Lorient took the lead through former PSG academy graduate Ayman Kari. Le Havre equalized again, through a header by former Premier League player Andre Ayew. Lorient thought they won it, through a header by striker Mohammed Bamba, but then it happened. In the 90+4 minute, Andre Ayew hit the ball, which had been pinballing in the area, and scored a beautiful bicycle kick to tie the game 3-3. The beauty of Ligue 1, everyone. What a game.

37: The resurgence of Isco

Isco celebrates scoring a goal for Real Betis. The playmaker is playing his best football yet again. Source: Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Isco Alarcon was regarded as one of football's biggest talents when he was playing for Malaga. He was signed for $30m by Real Madrid in 2013. There, he showed glimpses of his talent, but in his later years struggled with injury. Isco joined Sevilla on a two-year deal, but his contract was terminated halfway through the season. He was given one final chance to three in the La Liga with Real Betis. There, he tore it up. His stats may not look so good (8 goals and 5 assists), but Isco absolutely dazzled on the pitch. He impressed with outrageous skills, passes, and dribbles, and showed his true potential to orchestrate the field.

36: Cagliari 4-3 Frosinone

Claudio Ranieri has done it all. He won the Premier League with bloody Leicester. He sent Cagliari to the Serie A from 12th place. He came back from three down against Frosinone to win. Frosinone took a commanding 3-0 lead via a brace from future star Matias Soule and a goal from Marco Brescianini. It looked hopeless that Cagliari would take anything from this game. Gaetano Oristanio and Antoine Makoumbou scored to give Cagliari hope. Then, Pavoletti, the same guy who scored a bicycle kick against Sassuolo. A header off a corner rebound to level it, a stabbed-in finish to win it. What a comeback. Claudio Ranieri simply stood there and shrugged. The master of miracles has done it again.

35: Dany Mota bicycle kick

An incredible scissor kick by Dany Mota. Video source: Serie A

There have been some cracking goals in the Serie A this season, including this satisfying scissor kick by Monza forward Dany Mota. Brilliant cross, brilliant goal.

34: Messi free kick goal vs Cruz Azul

ionel Messi scores an incredible free kick in his Inter Miami debut. Video source: ESPN FC

The Greatest of All Time, Lionel Messi, decided to call it a day in Europe and signed for David Beckham's Inter Miami. Messi brings glamour and beauty to every pitch he walks. In his debut with Inter Miami, Messi was given a gilt-edged chance to prove himself as the GOAT. Free kick from outside of the box. And Messi converted. Because he is Messi.

33: Como 1907 Promotion

The story of Como 1907's promotion (my career mode club) is absolutely incredibleThe club had been close to liquidation as close as 2016. The wife of Michael Essien, the Ghanaian former midfielder, saved them by purchasing Como in an auction. In 2019, Como's new owners became the Hartono brothers, who had a combined worth of $43.5 billion. Now THAT is a boost. Since then, former Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise has been appointed as the club president, Thierry Henry as a shareholder, and Cesc Fabregas as a player, then manager, then assistant. This season, Osian Roberts was hired to be the manager. Como were promoted thanks to former Milan wonderkid Patrick Cutrone, who banged in 14 goals, on-loan Lecce captain Gabriel Strefezza, and boyhood town striker Alessandro Gabrielloni. Trust me, they are going to cook in the Serie A next season.

32: Santi Cazorla at Real Oviedo

Santi Cazorla in action for Real Oviedo. Source: La Razón

Santi Cazorla is a football legend. The former Arsenal midfield maestro agreed to play with minimum wage for boyhood club Real Oviedo this season. Cazorla had no goals, but he nearly scored a magnificent free kick that would roll us back the years. This year, Real Oviedo is in the playoffs for the La Liga, so if Cazorla can lead his team to the top flight, it would be a fairytale ending. There had also been reports of Mikel Arteta leaving the door open for Cazorla at Arsenal, Please make it happen, Arsenal. Santiago Cazorla's last dance.

31: The rise of Aston Villa

Unai Emery's Aston Villa were a team to fear this season. They finished fourth in the Prem and secured Champions League football. Villa are one of the oldest teams in England. This team was one of the greatest in their long history. World champion goalkeeper Emi Martinez, laser-eyed captain John McGinn, elite striker Ollie Watkins, and hard-tackling Brazilian CDM Douglas Luiz. Next season, Villa will go in to the Champions LEague as an underdog, but they had shown that they could compete with England's elite. Maybe the rest of Europe as well?

The series will continue from June 3rd to June 12th, and each article will contain 10 moments. Stay tuned for more of the greatest (and worst) moments of the 2023/24 world football season!