Football
ESPN staff 6y

Olivier Giroud scorpion kick makes FIFA Puskas Award shortlist

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is one of three players through to the final stage of FIFA's Puskas Award for "the most beautiful goal of the season."

Giroud scored a spectacular scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in a 2-0 win at the Emirates last season, with his finish --- which he called the best he had ever scored -- widely acclaimed.

He is joined on the list by Deyna Castellanos, who struck a 94th-minute winner from the centre circle for Venezuela in the Under-17 Women's World Cup last October, and goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.

Masuluke, who plays for South African club Baroka FC, came forward to score a spectacular late overhead kick to earn a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates last November.

Public voting on the Puskas award winner, carried out through the official FIFA website, will close on Oct. 23.

The winner, along with those victorious in other categories of The Best FIFA Football Awards, will be announced at a ceremony in London that evening.

Castellanos, 18, is also up for the Best FIFA Women's Player award despite still playing as an amateur at Florida State University.

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