In rugby, it is not only the execution but the vision behind it which defines the great kickers. Patrik Schick may have scored the best goal of Euro 2020 in the Czech Republic’s 2-0 win over Scotland, but he admits his 52nd minute strike had been a long time in the making.
“I saw him [off his line”, Schick said of goalkeeper David Marshall. “I checked already in the first half when this situation may come. I knew that he would stay very high.”
An indictment of Marshall on paper but the Derby man, however widely he may have been mocked on social media, was no more guilty of wandering into no-man’s-land than many a modern stopper.
Marshall’s error in judgment should take nothing away from one of the most extraordinary goals in European Championship history, from the range to the snaking trajectory of the curving ball.
Schick’s brilliance is already being spoken about as one of the great moments in the competition’s 60 years – but where does it rank among the most memorable goals?
10. Davor Suker (vs Denmark, Euro 1996)
This time it was Peter Schmeichel who had gone wandering and while the Denmark goalkeeper made it back in time, he lacked composure as Croatia’s Davor Suker chipped the ball over him and into the far corner.
9. Zinedine Zidane (vs England, Euro 2004)
Frank de Boer’s free-kick against France gets an honourable mention, but the impact of Zidane’s set piece couldn’t be underestimated as he turned the game on its head in the dying minutes against England.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (vs Italy, Euro 2004)
Ibrahimovic might well have featured twice on this list thanks to his volley against France in 2012, but the technique against Italy, flicking past Gianluigi Buffon with his back to goal, was far more unusual.
7. Karel Poborsky (vs Portugal, Euro 1996)
Poborsky beat two defenders and lobbed the goalkeeper to put the Czech Republic into the semi-finals.
6. Patrik Schick (vs Scotland, Euro 2020)
Schick’s was the longest-range goal at a European Championship in more than three decades. It didn’t even bounce on the way in.
WHAT. A. GOAL.
Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line.#SCO 0-2 #CZE
???????????? Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY#bbceuros #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021
5. Maniche (vs Netherlands, Euro 2004)
Maniche endured a difficult spell at Chelsea but he had long established his reputation in Portugal, not least because of the moment in which he beat Edwin van der Sar from the very corner of the box.
4. Paul Gascoigne (vs Scotland Euro 1996)
Best remembered for the ‘dentist chair’ celebration, the goal wasn’t bad either, taking a perfectly timed touch over the head of Colin Hendry before slotting past Adam Goram.
3. Ronnie Whelan (vs Soviet Union, 1988)
Only Whelan’s shins relegate this strike to third place, the Irishman receiving Mick McCarthy’s throw-in and catapulting onto his side mid-air to lash it into the top corner.
2. Xherdan Shaqiri (vs Poland, Euro 2016)
Shaqiri’s overhead kick stretched was thumped from the edge of the box and while it lacked the aesthetics of ‘top bins’, it was controversial when Hungary’s Zoltan Gera pipped him to Goal of the Tournament.
1. Marco van Basten (vs USSR)
The goal that sealed the trophy for the Netherlands, Arnold Muhren’s cross found Van Basten at a seemingly impossible angle. The Dutchman was at full stretch, soaring through the air but garnering enough speed on the ball to leave the fingertips of Eike Immel with no chance.
More from i on Euro 2020
- i’s Euro 2020 predictions – winners, dark horses, golden boot and more
- Daniel Storey’s guide to all 24 teams – from hot favourites to no hopers
- Home nations guides on England, Scotland and Wales
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
- Why England players are taking a knee at Euro 2020 – in their own words
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3xlbh26
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