Scoring is the hardest part of football and it’s why the top finishers get all the spotlight. Over the last few years, many players have been highly consistent when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net.
From finishing inside the box to brilliant-headed finishes and excellent accuracy, we will look at the top 5 finishers in world football.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Leading the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals, Salah’s exceptional finishing ability has been pivotal for Liverpool’s attack.
Here’s what makes him so lethal in front of goal:
Composure Under Pressure: Salah remains calm in front of the goal, whether it’s a one-on-one situation or a tight-angle finish. He rarely panics, making the right decision at the right moment.
Exceptional Positioning & Movement: He constantly finds himself in the right place at the right time. His off-the-ball movement is world-class, allowing him to anticipate passes and create scoring opportunities before defenders react.
Clinical Left Foot: Although he can score with both feet, his left foot is particularly deadly. He generates power and accuracy with minimal backlift, making it hard for goalkeepers to react.
Quick Reactions & Adaptability: Salah is quick to react to deflections, rebounds, and loose balls in the box. He can adjust his body shape instantly to take advantage of unpredictable situations.
Variety in Finishing: He doesn’t rely on just one type of finish. He can curl shots from outside the box, dink it over the keeper, strike with power, or tap in close-range chances.
Confidence & Mentality: Salah plays with confidence, always looking to score. His strong mentality helps him stay consistent and bounce back from misses.
2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
With 19 Premier League goals, Haaland’s clinical precision and physical prowess make him a formidable striker.
Here’s what makes him so lethal in front of goal:
Incredible Positioning & Movement: Haaland has an elite sense of positioning, always knowing where to be in the box. His movement is subtle but effective—he drifts away from defenders, times his runs perfectly, and attacks space with precision.
Ruthless One-Touch Finishing: A huge part of Haaland’s success comes from his ability to finish with one touch. Whether it’s a tap-in, volley, or a first-time strike, he doesn’t waste time, making it nearly impossible for goalkeepers to react.
Ambidextrous Finishing: Unlike many strikers, Haaland is comfortable finishing with both feet. This makes him unpredictable, as he can shoot from almost any angle.
Dominance in the Air: Standing at 6’4” (1.94m), Haaland is a nightmare in aerial duels. His jumping ability and timing allow him to score powerful headers, making him a threat in all types of attacking situations.
Clinical Under Pressure: Haaland is calm in front of goal, even in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s a one-on-one with the keeper or a last-minute chance, he keeps his cool and picks the best finish.
3. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Recognized as one of the top candidates for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Mbappé’s speed and goal-scoring consistency have been instrumental for Real Madrid.
Here’s what makes him so deadly in front of goal:
Lightning-Fast Acceleration: Mbappé’s explosive speed allows him to create separation from defenders, giving him extra time and space to finish with precision. His quick bursts mean he often gets into goal-scoring positions before defenders can react.
Composure in Front of Goal: He remains calm under pressure, which is crucial for finishing. Whether he’s in a one-on-one situation or facing a packed penalty box, he makes the right decisions and rarely rushes his shots.
Clinical One-on-One Finishing: Mbappé is one of the best in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers. He can slot the ball past the keeper, chip it, or take it around them with ease. His decision-making in these moments is top-class.
Deadly Both Inside & Outside the Box: He isn’t just a poacher—Mbappé can score from anywhere. Whether it’s a powerful strike from distance, a finesse shot into the corner, or a clinical finish inside the six-yard box, he has a wide variety of finishes.
Precise Shooting Technique: Mbappé’s shooting technique is elite—he can generate power with very little backlift, making it difficult for goalkeepers to react. His ability to place shots in the corners with both power and finesse makes him unpredictable.
4. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
A consistent top scorer, Lewandowski’s experience and positioning have kept him among the elite finishers in football.
Here’s what makes him so lethal in front of goal:
Elite Positioning & Movement: Lewandowski has an incredible ability to find space inside the box. His movement is subtle but effective—he reads defenders’ positioning and constantly adjusts to be in the right place for a finish.
Variety in Finishing: He can score in almost every possible way, including powerful shots from a distance, precise finesse finishes, headers and first-time volleys!
Two-Footed Finishing: Although naturally right-footed, he is extremely good with his left foot as well. This allows him to finish from any angle and adjust quickly in tight spaces.
Clinical One-Touch Finisher: Lewandowski doesn’t waste time in front of goal. He’s one of the best one-touch finishers, making him deadly in fast-paced attacks. He knows exactly where the ball needs to go before it even reaches him.
Aerial Dominance: At 6’1” (1.85m), he is an aerial threat. His jumping ability, timing, and heading accuracy make him one of the best scorers from crosses and set-pieces.
5. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Transitioning to the Bundesliga, Kane has continued his prolific goal-scoring form, showcasing his versatility and finishing skills.
Here’s what makes him so lethal in front of goal:
Elite Shooting Technique: Kane strikes the ball cleanly and with precision, whether it’s a powerful shot from a distance or a well-placed finesse finish. He generates power with minimal backlift, making his shots difficult for goalkeepers to stop.
Two-Footed Finishing: He is one of the few strikers in the world who can finish with both feet at a high level. Defenders can’t force him onto his weaker side because he is equally dangerous with his left and right foot.
Intelligent Positioning & Movement: Kane knows exactly where to be in the box. He has an excellent understanding of space and defender positioning, allowing him to anticipate passes and finish chances before defenders can react.
Composure Under Pressure: Whether it’s a last-minute chance, a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, or a high-pressure penalty, Kane rarely panics. His ability to stay calm and pick his spot makes him one of the most reliable finishers in world football.
Penalty precision: Harry Kane is one of the best penalty-takers in world football. Due to his technique and accuracy means he scores on almost every penalty attempt he takes.
These players have demonstrated exceptional finishing abilities, contributing significantly to their teams’ successes in their respective leagues.
Finishing is a difficult skill to master however, after practice and dedication it can certainly be perfected. Football Flick has plenty of products and step-by-step advice to help you improve your finishing!
The target sheet has been designed to help improve shooting into the 4 corners of the goal but also has a unique centre target to help improve the accuracy of shots. Click here for more information!
Target sheet with 5 target zones to improve shooting accuracy. This is Available in 3 sizes and attaches to any goal using premium-grade Velcro straps.
Get your top bins in action as the essentials corner shot allows you to get accuracy to the highest level.
