Football, like any sport, is driven by statistics and analysis. Every aspect of the game is scrutinized, from player performance to team strategies. Goals are no exception. The position of the shot, the angle of the foot, the speed and spin of the ball – all these factors are analyzed to understand how a goal was scored. However, some goals defy explanation. They are works of art, moments of magic that leave fans and pundits alike in awe. These are the goals that science can’t explain. Check out our website for more of such content.
Cisse vs Chelsea: The Half-Volley Heard Around the World
In 2012, Newcastle United traveled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. They had never won a Premier League match there before. That changed thanks to Papiss Cisse. In the 19th minute, he received a long pass from Yohan Cabaye. The ball was behind him, but Cisse adjusted his body perfectly and struck a half-volley that flew past Petr Cech and into the net. It was an incredible display of technique and athleticism.
Payet vs Crystal Palace: The Free-Kick That Defied Gravity
Dimitri Payet was known for his free-kick prowess during his time in the Premier League. However, his goal against Crystal Palace in 2016 was something else. From a direct free-kick, Payet looped the ball fifteen feet over the crossbar before bringing it down just in time to find the top corner. It was a goal that seemed to defy the laws of physics, leaving fans and players alike wondering how he did it.
El Shaarawy vs Juventus: The Perfect Shot
In 2012, a young Stephan El Shaarawy was making a name for himself at AC Milan. In a match against Juventus, he scored a goal that showed his potential. After just six minutes, he finished off a flowing team moves with a rasping shot from outside the box that flew into the net. The lead was short-lived, but the goal was a perfect example of technique and precision.
Faiz Subri vs Pahang: The Swerving Free-Kick
Faiz Subri’s goal for Penang against Pahang in the Malaysia Super League in 2016 won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year. It’s easy to see why. His free-kick swerved incredibly, almost like a knuckleball in baseball, before flying into the top corner. It was a goal that left fans and players alike stunned, and even science couldn’t explain how he did it.
Trindade vs Nacional: The Insane Curve
In a match between Trindade and Nacional in the Portuguese third division in 2018, Trindade scored a goal that defied explanation. From outside the box, he struck the ball with incredible power and spin, sending it into the top corner with a curve that seemed to bend the laws of physics. It was a goal that left fans and players alike wondering how he did it.
Maxi Arnold vs Mainz: The Knuckleball Free-Kick
Maxi Arnold’s free-kick for Wolfsburg against Mainz in 2017 was a perfect example of the knuckleball technique. The ball seemed to move unpredictably in the air, making it almost impossible for the goalkeeper to save. It was a goal that showed the power of technique and skill.
Pogba vs Udinese: The Long-Range Volley
Paul Pogba is known for his long-range strikes, but his goal for Juventus against Udinese in 2013 was something else. From outside the box, he struck the ball with incredible power and accuracy, sending it into the top corner with the outside of his foot. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in disbelief and showed the magic that can happen when talent and opportunity come together.
Rashford vs Chelsea: The Knuckleball Free-Kick Part II
Marcus Rashford is no stranger to scoring incredible goals, and his free-kick against Chelsea in 2019 was no exception. He struck the ball with the knuckleball technique, sending it into the top corner with incredible power and spin. It was a goal that left fans and players alike wondering how he did it and showed the potential of young talent in the game.
Maicon vs Korea: The Curve From Another Dimension
In a match between Brazil and Korea in the 2010 World Cup, Maicon scored a goal that seemed to come from another dimension. From an almost impossible angle of 178 degrees, he struck the ball with incredible power and spin, sending it into the top corner with a curve that defied explanation. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in awe and showed the power of talent and technique.
Thiago Alcantara: The Half-Volley Curve
Thiago Alcantara’s goal for Bayern Munich against Stuttgart in 2017 was a perfect example of technique and precision. After a corner kick, the ball fell to him just outside the box. He struck it with a half-volley, sending it into the bottom corner with a curve that seemed to defy gravity. It was a goal that left fans and players alike wondering how he did it and showed the magic that can happen when talent and opportunity come together.
Calhanoglu vs Borussia Dortmund: The Long-Range Knuckleball Part II
Hakan Calhanoglu is known for his long-range strikes, and his goal for Bayer Leverkusen against Borussia Dortmund in 2015 was no exception. He struck the ball with the knuckleball technique, sending it into the top corner with incredible power and spin. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in disbelief and showed the potential of young talent in the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Sampdoria: The Serie A Record Header
Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to scoring incredible goals, and his header for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019 was no exception. He jumped an incredible 2.56 meters, setting a new Serie A record, and sent the ball into the net with incredible power and precision. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in awe and showed the magic that can happen when talent and hard work come together.
Petratos vs Melbourne Victory: The Unexplainable Goal
In a match between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory in the A-League in 2019, Dimitri Petratos scored a goal that defied explanation. From outside the box, he struck the ball with incredible power and spin, sending it into the top corner with a curve that seemed to defy gravity. It was a goal that left fans and players alike wondering how he did it and showed the beauty and mystery of the game.
Salah vs Palermo: The 180-Degree Angle
In a match between Roma and Palermo in Serie A in 2016, Mohamed Salah scored a goal from an impossible angle of 180 degrees. He received the ball on the touchline, turned, and struck it with incredible power and accuracy, sending it into the net with a curve that seemed to defy explanation. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in disbelief and showed the magic of talent and creativity.
Roberto Carlos vs France: The Curve Heard Around the World
In the 1997 Tournoi de France, Roberto Carlos scored a free-kick for Brazil against France that left the world in awe. From a distance of 32 yards, he struck the ball with incredible power and spin, sending it into the net with a curve that seemed to bend the laws of physics. It was a goal that defied explanation and became an instant classic.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England: The Overhead Kick From Another Planet
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is known for his incredible goals, but his overhead kick for Sweden against England in 2012 was something else. From outside the box, he launched himself into the air and struck the ball with incredible power and precision, sending it into the net with a curve that defied explanation. It was a goal that left fans and players alike in disbelief and won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.
Honda vs Hong Kong: The Knuckleball Heard Around Asia
Keisuke Honda’s goal for Japan against Hong Kong in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers was a perfect example of the knuckleball technique. From outside the box, he struck the ball with incredible power and spin, sending it into the top corner with a curve that seemed to defy gravity. It was a goal that left fans and players alike wondering how he did it and became a legend in Asia.
Conclusion
Football is a sport driven by statistics and analysis, but some goals are beyond explanation. They are moments of magic that leave fans and players alike in awe. From Cisse’s half-volley at Stamford Bridge to Honda’s knuckleball against Hong Kong, these are the goals that science can’t explain. They are works of art, examples of talent and creativity that remind us why we love the game.
