siuuuuu 100: 100 of the best moments of the 2023/24 world football season (50-41)

Welcome to part six of siuuuuu 100. Today we have some moments of brilliance and/or clutch moments in world football. We also have two comedy moments that will make you snort your morning cereal along with your milk. Stay tuned!

50: Al Ain Asian Champions League win

After all that spending by the Saudi Pro League in the summer transfer window, it was not a Saudi League club that had won the title of Asia's best club. It was Al Ain in the UAE Pro League. They beat two of the Saudi League's best clubs, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in an extremely dramatic tie (go watch the second leg, it was golden), and injured Neymar's Al Hilal. They thrashed Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos in the final to earn a deserved victory. Their key players were Soufiane Rahimi and Alejandro Romero 'Kaku', who helped them massively on their way to glory.

49: Harry Kane goal vs Darmstadt

One of the best goals in English and German football history. Source: Bundesliga

Harry Kane is among the world's elite players, although I don't know how he still hasn't won a trophy, even after joining Bayern. He scored 44 goals in all competitions this year for Bayern, and this brilliant halfway-line chip against Darmstadt was certainly the best one.

48: Rangers 3-3 Celtic

Rangers 3-3 Celtic was one of the best Old Firms ever. In one of the tightest title fights between the two title rivals, this Old Firm delivered. In the first minute, Daizen Maeda of Celtic ran the fastest 20 meters of his life and volleyed the ball straight into the bottom corner. That Rangers defender had all the time in the world, what was he thinking? Things would go from bad to worse for Rangers as Matt O'Riley converted a penalty to make it 2-0 Celtic. In the second half, Rangers captain James Tavernier converted a penalty to make it 2-1. They would then equalize in the 86th minute after Abdallah Sima unleashed a volley into the right corner of the goal. It was not over. One minute later, Celtic striker Adam Idah held off two defenders to fizz the ball into the bottom right corner. There was time for one more twist. Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo received the ball on the left, twisted inside, then unleashed a rocket into the top right corner for 3-3, one of the best Old Firm goals ever. After the full time whistle sounded, the managers couldn't believe what they just seen.

47: Victor Osimhen assist vs Cagliari

Victor Osimhen, take a bow. Video source: Serie A

This assists proves that Osimhen is among the elite. Brilliant ball control. Skip to 2:00, and just watch in awe.

46: Lukas Hradecky save vs Harry Kane

Harry Kane is one of the most feared strikers in the world, he can score all kinds of goals, including that chip goal against Darmstadt. However, this save by Lukas Hradecky defied all odds. His toe-tip denied Kane a certain goal and victory against Leverkusen. This save preserved Leverkusen's unbeaten record in the Bundesliga. Masterclass.

45: Lautaro Martinez penalty miss

The penalty shootout of a dramatic tie between Atletico Madrid and Inter. Lautaro Martinez with a dreadful penalty. Video source: TUDN-USA

Lautaro Martinez is a great striker. He is good at every kind of shot, except for penalty kicks. This is why. Penalty at 6:15.

44: The rise of VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart players Undav, Guirassy, and Millot celebrate after scoring a goal. Source: Christian Kaptar-Bartke/Getty Images 2023

There has been an underdog for every of the top five leagues this season. In the Bundesliga, it was Sebastian Hoeness' Stuttgart. Stuttgart finished 2nd in this year's Bundesliga, above the likes of Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and RB Leipzig. Their squad includes talismanic striker Serhou Guirassy, who netted 28 goals this season. Deniz Undav, on loan from Brighton, scored 18 goals and registered 9 assists. Other important players included former Bayern goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, captain Waldemar Anton, midfielder Stiller, and wingers Führich and Millot. Stuttgart will be one of the biggest underdogs in next year's Champions League group stage -sorry, league stage.

43: The rise of Girona

Girona celebrate their victory over Barcelona. Source: Gongora/Nur Photos via Getty Images

And Girona is another underdog story. Although they are owned by the City Football Group, Girona's success are mainly created by themselves. They beat Real Madrid 4-1 last season, and this year beat Atletico and did the double over Barcelona. They finished third this season, and will be playing in the Champions League next season. Their key players are Artem Dovbyk, who was the top scorer of La Liga this season with 24 goals; Ukrainian compatriot Victor Tsygankov, who registered 8 goals and 7 assists. Brazilian star Savio, loaned from Troyes and future Man City player, netted 9 goals and assisted 10. Other key players included midfielder Aleix Garcia, left-back Miguel, right-back Yan Couto, and goalkeeper Gazzaniga. This Girona side is tipped to make more miracles in the upcoming years.

42: The rise of Brest

The third underdog story this season was the story of Stade Brestois. Brest have never made it past 8th in the Ligue 1 and are usually favorites for relegation. However, this season they finished an incredible 3rd. Brest doesn't have many superstars in their team. Their key players are midfield engine and former Norwich player Pierre Lees-Melou, winger Romain Del Castillo, center back Brassier, left back Locko, and on-loan Inter striker Martin Satriano. The secret of their success is that the players are together and they play consistently every week. Can they rack up some wins at the Champions League next year? We all want to know.

41: Barcelona 3-5 Villarreal

Oh my days, Barca 3-5 Villarreal was one of the most chaotic games of the season. Barca came back from 2-0 down, only to be reverse comebacked by Villarreal 5-3. Villarreal had two goals disallowed in the first half before Gerard Moreno fired a first-time shot into the left side of the goal to give Villarreal the lead 1-0. In the second half, Barca academy loanee Ilias took the ball past the keeper and slotted the ball in after a mistake by Joao Cancelo. Barca then rallied back, Gundogan scoring an outside-of-the-box shot before Pedri lashed the ball right into the net. The comeback was complete after former United reject Eric Bailly scored an own goal from a Barca free kick. However, Villarreal equalized from a good bottom-corner finish by Goncalo Guedes. Villarreal kept attacking, and in the 90+8 minute, Alexander Sorloth scored after a defensive calamity in the Barcelona box. Another goal was added by Jose Luis Morales after he slalomed inside the Barca box and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. 5-3 for Villarreal. This is comedy football at its very best.

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!