Football’s Greatest Goals No.8
If you hear the name Marco van Basten, it is highly likely that this goal is the first thing you will think of.
It was scored in the 1988 European Championships Final against the Soviet Union in Munich, West Germany.
Holland had a great side in those Championships with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Van Basten and Frank Riijkaard. Manager Rinus Michels had them playing great football too.
Holland were in Group Two alongside England, Republic of Ireland and the Soviet Union. In 1988, the tournament was contested by only 8 teams.
Hosts West Germany, Denmark, Italy and Spain made up Group One.
They started the tournament against the Soviets, the team they met again in the Final. Vasyl Rats’ goal seven minutes into the second half gave the Soviets the win.
England were next and Holland turned on the style, winning convingly 3-1. It was a match to remember for Marco Van Basten as he scored all three of Holland’s goals.
The final match of the group stage was against the Republic of Ireland. It was their first major tournament and they were ahead of Holland in the group.
Holland needed a win to qualify and finally broke down the Irish defence with eight minutes to go. Willem Kieft scored the goal that put Holland through and sent the Irish out of the tournament.
Hosts West Germany awaited Holland in the Semi-Finals and despite going a goal down, Holland won 2-1 thanks to a penalty from Ronald Koeman and a Marco Van Basten winner with two minutes to go.
Holland exacted their revenge for their defeat in the opening game, defeating the Soviets in the Final.
Ruud Gullit headed powerfully past Rinut Dasayev in the Soviet goal to give Holland the lead after 32 minutes. The second goal was out of this world!
Adri van Tiggelen picked up a loose ball just inside the Dutch half and began a marauding forward run. He took the ball forward about 30 yards before laying the ball off to Arnold Muhren to his left.
Muhren looked up and spotted van Basten lurking at the far side of the penalty area. He hit a long cross-field ball to the AC Milan striker.
The ball seemingly stayed in the air for an eternity before dropping to van Basten about six yards from the byline, halfway between the six yard box and the edge of the penalty area.
van Basten caught the ball on the volley and hit a shot at Dasayev’s goal. The Soviet goalkeeper was poised for a cross. He could only watch as the ball went over his head, dipped under the bar and hit the back of the net.
The reaction from Holland’s coach Rinus Michels exemplifies the surprise that everyone felt immediately after the goal.
Television cameras managed to capture him standing initially with both hands holding his head, staring in disbelief. He then covered his mouth with one hand, looking completely staggered at what his star striker had just done.
The goal remains one of the greatest ever seen.
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