Football’s Greatest Goals No.15
There are some goals that come along once every few years that defy logic, reason and in this case physics.
Physicians and Mathematicians are called in to look at the goal in detail. They analyse aspects like speed, distance, trajectory and other scientific elements of the goal. Their findings are then shared in newspapers, websites and magazines but then soon forgotten about.
This week’s ‘Greatest Goal’ is different. Dubbed ‘The Impossible Goal’, it was scored by Roberto Carlos for Real Madrid away to Tenerife on 21st January 1998.
The game itself was memorable for hosts Tenerife as they won the won the game 4-3. It was a bittersweet victory though as no-one remembered the game for the result, the stand-out memory being Roberto Carlos’ goal.
Roberto Carlos was set free down the left wing by Spanish international Guti and the pass looked to have been over-hit.
The Brazilian left-back wasn’t going to give up on it and chased it down, running full speed after the ball. He showed no signs of slowing down and as the ball almost reached the by-line, Carlos thumped the ball with all his might towards goal. He was about 25 yards from the near post when he hit the shot and the ball was almost waist-high.
Bengt Andersson, Tenerife’s goalkeeper, was only a little more than a yard off his line and the ball flew at him at breakneck speed. He took a step forward, thinking that Roberto Carlos was crossing the ball, but ended up trying to claw the ball away.
The Swedish keeper couldn’t get near the ball as it flew into the goal, smashing into the side netting at the far post.
The goal was virtually impossible. Roberto Carlos was given such a small gap to get the ball into, it was at an awkward height and at a very difficult angle. It was made all the harder as he was running at full speed, which reduced the chance of scoring even further.
In my opinion, this was Roberto Carlos’s greatest goal. The free-kick against France was very special, but this was incredible!
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