24 most iconic sports photos from Getty Images this week

The sports world makes for a beautiful palette but individual images can get lost in the constant shuffle. Here are the most iconic sports photos from Getty Images this week.

Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints tries to leap past Kyle Van Noy of the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots, but I was a little surprised that the Saints ran away with the game like they did. For the most part, Jameis Winston was at the helm at quarterback, but for a few plays Taysom Hill would take the snap and run the ball. During this play, Hill leapt over Patriots defensive players to set up his touchdown run on the next play. I wasn’t expecting Hill to leap over defenders, but it was a nice maneuver that made for a great action image.

— Elsa

Maria Sanchez of Mexico celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of her team during the Women’s International Friendly Match between Mexico and Colombia at Azteca Stadium on September 21, 2021, in Mexico City, Mexico.

This match, despite being a friendly game, was of great importance since the Mexican women’s soccer team had not played at the Azteca Stadium with fans in over 14-years. Mexican women’s soccer in recent years has received a lot of support, which is reflected in the good technique and dedication that the players have on the field. Maria Sanchez, who is a star playing with her home team in Mexico, scored the second goal and celebrated with great joy around all of her teammates. Women’s soccer delivers the best of the sport’s passion and dedication, and we are privileged to be able to photograph it.

— Hector Vivas

Alexander Zverev of Team Europe holds the Laver Cup trophy after Team Europe defeated Team World 14-1 during Day 3 of the 2021 Laver Cup at TD Garden on September 26, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts.

For this photo of Alexander Zverev, I was trying to get a secondary angle to the head-on angle. The event featured stadium-style lighting with gels on the fan seating. While I couldn’t guarantee where the winners would walk with the trophy, the hope was to have a clean frame showcasing the moment.

— Carmen Mandato

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates victory on the final whistle after scoring a stoppage-time winner during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Manchester United and Villarreal CF at Old Trafford on September 29, 2021, in Manchester, England.

To have arguably the best footballer on the planet back at Manchester United has generated such excitement. Although Cristiano Ronaldo is a different player to when he was first at United, he is still at the top of his game. This photograph was taken on the final whistle after he had scored a last gasp winner in the Champions League match against Villarreal. Ronaldo loves the big stage, a born winner and a sport photographers dream.

— Laurence Griffiths

Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 26, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As a photographer when we see the confetti cannons at the ready, we know it will look great on video, but photos can either be hit or miss because you need just the right amount of confetti, as too much can just completely hide the winner. Autofocus in the cameras also doesn’t work when there are thousands of things to focus on. In this photo, winner Denny Hamlin was getting out of his car, so I pre-focused on him and hoped for an image where viewers could see him. Luckily, it worked out and we can see Hamlin’s joy and excitement after winning through all that confetti.

— Chris Graythen

Logan Ryan of the New York Giants tackles Mike Davis of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates a touchdown in first quarter in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Logan Thomas catches a touchdown pass while being defended by Micah Hyde of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on September 26, 2021, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers gives an interview during Los Angeles Lakers’ media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 28, 2021, in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Barclays Center on September 27, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury blocks a shot by Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces during Game 2 of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 117-91. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Brock Holt of the Texas Rangers fields a ground ball hit by Jack Mayfield of the Los Angeles Angels in the top of the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on September 30, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Michael Pineda of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Target Field on September 29, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Evan Longoria of the San Francisco Giants fails to deny a base hit off Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on September 29, 2021, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Collin Morikawa of team United States celebrates on the 18th green with Bryson DeChambeau of team United States and Scottie Scheffler of team United States after winning the half point needed to win during Sunday Singles Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth of team United States reacts after missing a putt on the 14th green during Saturday Morning Foursome Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 25, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Justin Thomas of team United States interacts with fans around the first tee prior to Friday Morning Foursome Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 24, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Ty Dillon, driver of the No. 31 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet, leads the field during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 25, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Team World plays a shot against Matteo Berrettini of Team Europe during the second match during Day 1 of the 2021 Laver Cup at TD Garden on September 24, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

Matthew Semelsberger backflips after defeating Martin Sano Jr. by TKO in the first round of their Welterweight fight during UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena on September 25, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

Ruaka and Shuri compete during the Women’s Pro-Wrestling “Stardom” at Korakuen Hall on September 20, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by Red Bull, Rhiannan Iffland of Australia dives from the 21.5-meter platform during the first competition day of the sixth and final stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on September 25, 2021, at Polignano a Mare, Italy. (Photo by Romina Amato/Red Bull via Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by Red Bull, Xantheia Pennisi of Australia dives from the 21-meter platform during the final competition day of the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on September 22, 2021, at Polignano a Mare, Italy. (Photo by Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images)

Benjamin Harrington practices a halfpipe run during a training session at the NZOC Snow Sports Workshop at Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 22, 2021, in Wanaka, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images for NZOC)