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Top five greatest goals in football history
What is beautiful about football? The magic of the game lies in pure magic, transcending the boundaries between being an ordinary game to creating memories that are etched forever. And this is done either by some last-ditch saves or the goals that just changed the course of the game. Some of these goals represent the pinnacle of human athletic achievement alongside technical brilliance.
Some strikes in the games tell a story beyond the 90 minutes that the teams played. Each tells what it takes to be part of folklore. From World Cup heroics to the Champions League drama, some of the goals showcase football’s capacity to produce moments of brilliance.
Here are the top five greatest goals in football history:
1) Diego Maradona vs England - 1986 World Cup Quarter-Final, Estadio Azteca, Mexico
Hailed as the “Goal of the Century”, Diego Maradona’s strike against England in the quarterfinals of the quadrennial event is defined as the greatest ever goal scored. A 60-yard masterpiece encapsulates everything magical about the game.
Maradona started the game deep in his own half and what he did after collecting is phenomenal. He received the pass, glided past England defenders, and even went on to round the English shot-stopper, Peter Shilton. His supernatural grace and control helped the side double the lead after he had previously scored via “Hand of God”. The stadium, with over 100,000 people, not only witnessed something iconic but also erupted in joy.
2) Roberto Carlos vs France - 1997 Tournoi de France, Stade de Gerland, Lyon
One of the few goals in the history of the sport to be named after a fruit, banana, but after it was used, it continued to be related to every other attempt at the sport. Roberto Carlos decided on one fine day to defy the laws of physics. Against France, Roberto Carlos bent the ball into a free kick, curving impossibly around the French defense before it defeated Fabien Barthez.
From 35 yards out on the left wing, the Brazilian superstar stuck the ball with huge power and spin to make it look like it was going out, but a dramatic arc turned it within the goal. Scientists later studied that the ball touched a speed of 105 mph to create the Magnus effect.
3) Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen - 2002 Champions League Final, Hampden Park, Glasgow
The Champions League has seen a lot of volleys from outside the box from every angle. But Zinedine Zidane’s volley against the German outfit in a pressure situation always holds the title of being the “best”. The score was locked at 1-1 in the finals and Real Madrid were chasing the goal that would put them in front.
Roberto Carlos delivered a cross that missed everybody in the penalty area and fell onto Zinedine Zidane, who was perfectly stationed in that area. The technique while striking the ball was beyond extraordinary. He defeated the goalkeeper of almost 18 years to score the goal, which was enough for them to win their ninth title.
4) Trevor Sinclair vs Queens Park Rangers - 1997 FA Cup, Loftus Road, London
Bicycles have always been an eye-grabber across all competitions in football. One such technically perfect bicycle kick from Trevor Sinclair at Loftus Road in 1997 got into English and world football folklore. The goal began with an innocuous cross from the right flank which hung in the air for some time until Trevor Sinclair hit it perfectly past the helpless goalkeeper.
The connection was perfect, generating power and accuracy to put behind the team from almost outside the box. The celebration from the winger was nothing but pure joy, recognizing that he produced a special which could be remembered for the longest time.
5) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vs Bayern Munich - 1999 Champions League Final, Camp Nou, Barcelona
One of the most dramatic turnarounds in the history of the UEFA Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s goal emboldened the never-say-die attitude of the Red Devils. The goal led to an unprecedented record: a gold standard that took 24 years to be matched. Bayern Munich were leading the game until the last minute when they conceded a corner.
They were a goal up and looked like they were destined for the triumph, only for Teddy Sheringham to score the equalizer. Solskjaer’s goal in the final minutes of the game, where he stuck out the leg to demonstrate his predatory instincts and composure under pressure defined his career. Within 93 seconds of the equalizer, the Norweigan goal sent the stadium into delirium with Bayern Munich players crumbling with heartbreak.