Alejandro Garnacho stunned Goodison Park with his remarkable overhead kick, but what is the best goal you’ve ever seen live?
From the moment the ball nestled into the back of the Goodison Park net those in attendance would have known that they’d witnessed something special, even if most of them wouldn’t have liked it too much.
Alejandro Garnacho’s remarkable overhead kick for Manchester United at Everton on Sunday afternoon has gone straight in as the favourite to be the Premier League’s goal of the season. But was it the “special strike”?
Bukayo Saka vs North Macedonia, 2023
This is a tight call between two incredible goals. Bukayo Saka’s goal came this year in fact, when England demolished North Macedonia at Old Trafford. Their fourth came through a stunning strike from Bukayo Saka, as part of a hat-trick.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played an unbelievable first-time pass forward to the attacker. He took one touch with his left foot, controlled it with his chest, let it bounce and then smashed in a half-volley into the top corner.
Kevin De Bruyne vs Newcastle, 2019
Team goals always get overlooked. For that reason alone, Kevin De Bruyne’s rocket-fuelled volley for Manchester City away at Newcastle back in 2019 can be said to be part of the “special strikes”.
The Belgian’s ferocious effort that flew past home goalkeeper Martin Dubravka within a split second, was unlike anything unwitnessed in a football ground. The technique, the power, the timing, the chested touch to set himself, everything was executed to perfection. It also had the extra magic of rattling in via the crossbar.
Lionel Messi vs Mexico, 2022
There was something about Messi’s strike against Mexico at the World Cup last year that will always cause a strike.
Everything was on the line for Argentina that evening at the Lusail Stadium. They’d lost their first game to Saudi Arabia, Messi was being mocked everywhere in the streets of Doha and over an hour had gone in a tense game played out in an incredible atmosphere. Then up steps The Man.
Messi arrowed a superb shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, the place erupted and we all know what happened next.
So, on to the Argentine, Alejandro Garnacho. Does his strike for Manchester United against Everton make it to the “Special strikes” list. Definitely, a Yes from me.