We recently mentioned that GiveMeSport organized a ranking of the best saves in football history. And they even published a video of the best. This created a huge resonance, following which Terrikon.com lists all 9 goalkeeper feats mentioned in the ranking of the popular publication…
9. Mert Gunok – July 2, 2024, Austria – Türkiye 1:2
At the stage of the 1/8 finals of the last Euro, the Austrians, after a bright performance in the group, were considered complete favorites. And based on the blows towards Turkey, they should have won this match with an astronomical score. But that evening, Mert Günok, a man-wall, a 196-centimeter former basketball player, reigned and soared at the opponents’ goal that evening. He accomplished his main feat in the 4th minute of stoppage time, parrying a header from Christoph Baumgartner – point-blank, with a rebound off the turf. It looked like a miracle. However, Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella had a different opinion: “It’s his job!”
8. Iker Casils – July 11, 2010, Spain – Netherlands 1:0
In the 61st minute of the final match of the World Cup, the Oranje were supposed to take the lead – and, most likely, become world champions. Wesley Snyder’s perfect cutting pass brought Arjen Robben into the goal. None of the defenders had time. Casillas rushed out of the gate, blocking the target as best he could. Robben took aim and hit the right heel of “Saint Iker”. The hero himself modestly shrugged his shoulders after the match: “Just luck. If we had played this episode 10 times, he would have scored in 9 cases.”
7. Dino Zoff – July 5, 1982, Italy – Brazil 3:2
One of the greatest matches in the history of the World Cup, one of the best versions of the Brazilian national team. None of the opponents deserved to lose. There were two main culprits in the fact that the Italians won – the author of the hat-trick, Paolo Rossi, and the phenomenal veteran Dino Zoff. The 40-year-old captain made a save at the end of the match, which in Italy was called “Save” for so long. With a capital letter. Oscar hit right into the corner – but “grandfather” Zoff managed to react, “form up” and cover the ball with the second movement.
6. Gianluigi Buffon – May 28, 2003, Juventus – Milan 0:0
It was the 17th minute of the Champions League final and Milan made one of their famous dagger attacks. Filippo Inzaghi responded to the pass from the right flank and, falling, hit the goal from 10 meters away. The ball flew into the corner, and at that time Buffon was moving along the goal line in the opposite direction. But in a split second he managed to regroup, make a throw and hit the ball. This feat, alas, did not bring happiness to his team – Milan won on penalties with the famous decisive strike from Andriy Shevchenko.
5. Gregory Coupe – October 10, 2001, Barcelona – Lyon 2:0
The French goalkeeper could not keep the goal intact that evening, but he performed one miracle. And double. First, I had to save the team from the stupidity of my defensive partner Claudio Cacapa, who sent the ball… into the goal, from which Coupe had already left. The goalkeeper managed to reach the ball in time and – there was no other way – he headed it away. It turned out – into the crossbar. The ball bounced into the field, where Rivaldo finished it off with his head – he managed to “untie himself” from Kupa and unthinkably parry the blow.
4. David Seaman – April 13, 2003. Arsenal – Sheffield United 1:0
Is it possible to parry a header at point-blank range from one and a half meters? It is possible, especially if the striker tries and directs the ball not to the very corner, but a little closer to the center of the goal. But still, a fantastic reaction is needed! It was demonstrated by Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman in the FA Cup semi-final, parrying a shot from Sheffield United’s Paul Pescisolido. The match was special for 39-year-old Seaman – the 1000th in his career. So the save turned out to be fabulous.
3. Jim Montgomery – May 5, 1973, Sunderland 1-0 Leeds
What about double saves? We also have this. 1973 FA Cup final, heroic Sunderland goalkeeper Jim Montgomery saves Trevor Cherry’s header before tucking in Peter Lorimer’s shot to hit the crossbar. It’s funny that before the match, the filmmakers interviewed Mongtomery’s mother-in-law, and this brave woman confidently said that her son-in-law would come out of the match unscathed. How I looked into the water!
2. Emiliano Martinez – December 19, 2022, Argentina – France 3:3
Lionel Messi might never have become world champion if not for this moment. At the very end of the extra time of the final match, young French forward Randal Colo Muani jumped out to meet the Albaceleste goalkeeper. And he hit. But Emiliano Martinez spread his limbs so wide, like a spider, that it was difficult not to hit them. And Kolo Muani hit. And instead of being a hero of the nation, he immediately became a loser, where he remains for now.
1. Gordon Banks – June 7, 1970, England – Brazil 0:1
And finally, the top of the rating. Group stage of the 1970 World Cup. Magnificent Brazil against England, the best team on the planet at that time. The Brazilians once again go forward, a cross from the right flank – and the legendary Pele, even at that moment, hits his jumping header. The ball bounces off the lawn and flies into the corner – but English goalkeeper Gordon Banks is already there. How he managed to move there – I don’t even understand!
