In our continuing search for the greatest goal in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ we bring you a stunning effort by Mexico’s Monica Ocampo at Germany 2011.

Mexico were making their return to the world finals after a 12-year absence and played their opening match against England in Wolfsburg. El Tri struggled to get in the game, however, and found themselves a goal behind when Fara Williams struck for the Lionesses 21 minutes in. Wasteful in possession, the Mexicans also found Kelly Smith’s pace and Eniola Aluko’s surging runs from the wing hard to handle.

Yet they did not let their heads drop and pulled level within just 12 minutes. Receiving possession from Dinora Garza in the middle of the opposition half, Ocampo took a couple of paces forward before powering a dipping drive just under the crossbar and into the top corner of the net. Though fully 5’11 (1.80m) tall, there was little England keeper Karen Bardsley could do to stop the Mexican player’s superb strike.

The CONCACAF side kept their shape for the remainder of the game and held on to secure their first ever Women’s World Cup point.

Unfortunately for them, they could not avoid an early exit. Beaten 4-0 by eventual champions Japan in their next outing, Mexico then played out an agonising 2-2 draw with New Zealand, a game in which they led 2-0 before conceding twice in second-half stoppage time.

“I’m very happy and very proud of my goal,” said Ocampo after the England match. “We’ve got a great squad and I’m proud of how we worked as a team. We got the goal and the result because we stuck together, and it’s a great point against a great team. It wasn’t a training-ground routine. It just worked out that way, just part of our play.”