Sports Illustrated's Top Soccer Moments 2012
US magazine Sports Illustrated have compiled a list of their favourite sporting moments from an historical 2012. We've dissected these sporting memories to isolate just the soccer events - so here's the subjective and debatable eight best soccer moments in rank order according to SI.com.
What will you remember about 2012? The past year has certainly amazed and impressed, as the game we love once again produced historic, hysterical and heart-stopping moments. Share with us your favourite footballing memories from 2012, and have your say in the comments below. 
"David Beckham's six-year stint in America didn't catapult MLS into the mainstream. But there's little doubt that the league is in far better shape than it was when he arrived. Beckham, now 37, finished his MLS career by leading Los Angeles to its second consecutive MLS title with a 3-1 victory over Houston." 
"Chelsea captured its first European title in remarkable -- and improbable -- fashion. After stunning Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, the Blues outlasted German power Bayern Munich on penalty kicks in the final. Didier Drogba scored the match-tying goal in the 88th minute, then buried the winning PK." 
"Yes, it was just a friendly. So what? There was no downplaying the significance of the U.S. men's national team's stunning 1-0 victory over Mexico at Azteca Stadium on Aug. 15. When Michael Orozco Fiscal scored in the 80th minute, it ended decades of futility south of the border. The Americans had never beaten El Tri (0-23-1) on Mexican soil dating to 1937." 
"Spain won Euro 2012 in dominant fashion, pounding Italy with a 4-0 clinic in the July 1 final. But the tournament's breakout star was clearly Italy's Mario Balotelli. He's soccer's Dennis Rodman. The enigmatic striker scored two emphatic goals in Italy's 2-1 semifinal victory over Germany." 
"It seemed unlikely the Olympic women's soccer tournament would replicate the excitement of the 2011 World Cup. But the U.S. women made it a gold-medal run to remember. In the semi-finals, the Americans outlasted the Canadians 4-3 in one of the greatest matches in Olympic history. Then in a 2011 World Cup final rematch with Japan, the U.S. exacted revenge, winning 2-1 for its third straight Olympic gold." 
"Overhead bicycle-kick goals in soccer are extraordinarily rare. Scoring on one from 30 yards out? Backwards? Unheard of. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal in Sweden's friendly against England is considered one of soccer's best ever." 
"Lionel Messi set the record for the most goals in a calendar year on Dec. 9, when he scored his 85th and 86th of 2012 in Barcelona's 2-1 win at Real Betis to break Gerd Mueller's mark of 85. Playing on soccer's biggest stage, Messi is having the greatest individual season in the sport's history."
"Manchester City won its first English title in 44 years in the most heart-stopping way imaginable. Needing a final-day win to snatch the Premier League crown away from rival Manchester United, City trailed Queens Park Rangers 2-1 in extra time. What happened next will never be forgotten on either side of Manchester. Edin Dzeko ignited the comeback, then Sergio Aguero scored two minutes later to cap the most dramatic EPL finish ever."
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