The 10 best goals of Mexican great Javier Hernández’s career

From classic poacher finishes to rainbow flicks. In iconic locations like the Santiago Bernabéu and Old Trafford. And certainly under the lights of the World Cup. He could score on the turn, with his head, his heel or even with his face. Javier Hernández scored in many ways – but always when his team needed him most. Hernández had an incredible club career that spanned Chivas de Guadalajara, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, Sevilla and the LA Galaxy. Now that Hernández joins FOX Sports as an analyst ahead of the 2026 World Cup, let’s look back at 10 goals (and a few honorable mentions) that tell the whole story of Mexico’s all-time leading scorer: Honorable Mention: Chivas vs. Tecos (Liga MX Clausura 2010) One of the first glimpses of the talent Hernández possessed. In the third week of the Torneo Bicentenario, Chivas trailed Estudiantes Tecos 2-1 at halftime. The home crowd was agitated, then Hernández took over. He scored twice in the second half to complete the comeback, showing he was ready to move to a more competitive league. Honorable Mention: LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids (2022 MLS Regular Season) The Galaxy already led Colorado by two goals before Hernández added an absurd third. A low cross from Julian Araujo fizzed into the six-yard box. Most of the attackers would have tried to turn and shoot. Not Hernandez. He straightened his back leg like a matador and threw the ball past the stunned goalkeeper. Even in the twilight of his career, Hernández still found new ways to score. Honorable Mention: Mexico vs. Spain (2010 Friendly) Just a few months after his summer in the 2010 World Cup in France (we’ll get to that shortly), he did the unthinkable in Mexico City by scoring against the reigning world champions. Gerardo Torrado sent a long pass forward. Hernández used his speed to outrun the Spanish defense and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Iker Casillas to give Mexico a 1-0 lead. This was him announcing that he was not a one-tournament wonder. On the contrary, he was just getting started. 10. Mexico vs. United States (2015 CONCACAF Cup) Mexico met their biggest rivals, the United States, in the Rose Bowl with a berth to the 2017 Confederations Cup on the line. A quick attack developed when Raul Jimenez passed the ball to Oribe Peralta on the right side of the box. Peralta would provide the assist, as Hernández scored the first of five goals that evening in a 3–2 Mexico victory. It was the first of his two career goals against the United States. 9. Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid (Champions League 2015-16) “Never fall in love with a loan player”, is a much-used phrase among club football fans, but the Madristas had every reason to love Hernández after that goal in the Champions League quarter-final. In the 88th minute at the Bernabéu, against their crosstown rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross from the left found Hernández’s perfectly timed run at the near post. One touch. An explosion of white shirts. Hernández collapsed to his knees and expired as the madridistas celebrated. This goal alone earned him cult hero status in the Spanish capital. 8. Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Mönchengladbach (Bundesliga 2015-16) The first hat-trick of Hernandez’s club career came in Germany. His third of the night is the pick of the group. Hernandez moved away from the shoulder of the last defender, took a touch to kill a diagonal ball and fired a rising shot into the roof of the net. A superb hat trick announced which authoritatively marked his arrival in Germany. 7. Mexico vs. Argentina (2010 World Cup round of 16) A lost cause? Not for Hernández. Trailing 2-0 and reeling, Mexico needed a spark. Pablo Barrera’s pass found Hernández ghosting between two Argentine giants as he turned to round defender Martín Demichelis before sending his left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Mexico ultimately lost 3-1, but that goal said more than the score: I belong here, on this stage, against these names. 6. Mexico vs. South Korea (2018 World Cup group stage) A vintage Hernández was on display during his third World Cup in Russia. He collected the ball near the top of the box, moved it past a sliding defender with a touch that looked slower than it actually was, and curled a low, leaping shot into the nearest corner. The goalkeeper never had a chance. He also became the third Mexican player to score in three different World Cups, after Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Rafael Márquez. This goal made an entire nation dream of playing a fifth match, even if the dream ended a week later. 5. Mexico vs USA (Friendly 2019) It was a friendly match, but whenever these two rivals play, there will always be a lot of pride at stake. It was an opportune moment for Hernández as he made his final appearance for the Mexican national team. He helped open the scoring with this acrobatic diving header from Jesus “Tecatito” Corona’s looping pass after sneaking into the penalty area. An emblematic header for his 52nd goal for Mexico, a record that still stands. 4. Mexico vs Croatia (2014 World Cup group stage) The deciding round of 16 match in Recife, Brazil. A corner found Rafael Marquez’s head and went into the box as Hernández sprinted towards goal and headed the ball into the back of the net to ice what would be a 3-1 victory over Croatia. He pointed to the sky and fell to his knees as Mexico earned a place in the round of 16. 3. Manchester United v Chelsea (2010 Community Shield) His debut in a Manchester United shirt came in the 2010 FA Community Shield final at the historic Wembley Stadium. Minutes after coming on, he received a cross from Antonio Valencia, sent the ball to his face before it bounced off the Chelsea goal line. It didn’t matter which part of Hernández’s body was used to score, as long as he scored. 2. Manchester United v Stoke City (Premier League 2010-11) Physics forgot to apply for the Britannia Stadium. Facing goal, with a defender climbing on his back like a jungle gym, Hernández arched his neck and launched a spinning header that past Thomas Sorensen and into the far corner. Unorthodox but absolutely brilliant. 1. Mexico vs. France (2010 World Cup group stage) The world discovered Hernández in South Africa in the summer of 2010, already set for the expected transfer from Chivas to Manchester United. He broke the offside trap to latch onto a pass from Rafael Márquez, past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and scored. Mexico would defeat the reigning world vice-champion. Hernandez’s first World Cup goal had added sentimental value, since his grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, had also scored for Mexico in a loss to France in the 1954 tournament. However, in this instance, Hernández’s team won against the Blues.