There are moments in football that change everything and just a split second is enough to transform a simple goal into a legend that none will forget. Those moments in football are totally poetic. In short, as the British would say “It’s all about the goal” and here in this article we have selected the 3 goals that have forever changed our way of imagining football, because through each of them, something in this wonderful sport has magically changed.
Roberto Carlos’ famous freekick – Brazil Vs France
It was the summer of 1997. One year before the France 98′ World Cup, FIFA organized a mini tournament between the most prestigious teams in the world (France, Italy, England, Brazil) to test the stadium and offer a taste of what will happen 365 days later. This was not a prestigious trophy, the national teams invited were just “having fun” and studying their future rivals; in Brazil-France, however, something unreal happened.
At 22 ‘Roberto Carlos is preparing to shoot a free kick about 30-35m away from French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. The Brazilian left-back draws an impossible trajectory, with the ball that travels to the right, then suddenly returns to the left at an estimated speed of 130 km / h and ends up behind Barthez. The rest is just history. Roberto Carlos’ goal videos went viral around the world and still today no one can explain how it happened. Later the Brazilian will rename that type of free kick “3-finger shot”. Visit GentPromoCode for more info about this magnificent goal.
Panenka chip shot – Czechoslovakia Vs West Germany
The more experienced will surely know that the creator of the “chip shot penalty” is Antonín Panenka, Czechoslovakia midfielder, who scored the decisive penalty in the ‘76 European Championship final against West Germany. Even today, Panenka’s crazy and very risky penalty shot is considered legendary and has often been imitated by great champions like Totti, Pirlo and Sergio Ramos just to name a few.
Maradona and the goal of the century – Argentina Vs England
Mexico 1986, World Cup quarter-finals. Maradona receives the ball just inside his own half. Diego controls, turns quickly and with a “wide” dribble (to avoid the foul as he told) overtakes Beardsley and Samson. At this point he could pass it, but Diego seems to be possessed by something or someone. Central acceleration, new change of speed and then of direction that cuts out any opponent.
The goal is getting closer and Diego begins to go on almost in apnea. Direct run towards the goal, last slalom between the impotent Fenwinck and Butcher (overcome with strength and grace) and finally, on the point of falling, left touch to score after having overtook the British goalie Shilton. The Argentinian speaker Victor Hugo Morales screams, cries and is completely in a trance: “What planet did you come from to leave all those English behind in your path?” and again: “Dios santo, viva el futbol!”