Redcafe’s greatest goals of all time

[DVG7]

Similar to some of the threads @Wumminator has put together, this one will focus solely on goals and by the end we will have a definitive answer to what is the greatest goal of all time. Please don’t post videos of the goals as it clogs up the thread, I will do the videos and a unique write up for each goal, including some player profiling.

simply list your top 10 (no more than 20 if you must) goals of all time, using the following criteria as much as possible;

The importance of the goal
The stage it was scored on
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness
Quality of opposition
Pure wow factor

I will leave the thread running for a while and once there are enough votes will begin the countdown.

suggestions welcome for additional criteria for judging goals.

if possible, please list them in order of preference;

1.
2.
3.

etc

 

[DVG7]

1. Diego Maradona v England
2. Gareth Bale v Liverpool
3. Carlos Alberto v Italy
4. Rivaldo v Valencia
5. Pele v Sweden, World Cup final
6. Bressan V Barcelona
7. Van Basten v USSR
8. Zlatan V Toronto FC
9. Messi V Real Madrid, CL semi final
10. Cristiano v Juventus overhead kick

 

[broccoli]

1. Maradona vs England
2. Costinha in OT
3. Éder vs France

From the top of my head..

 

[stubie]

Weah against Verona (September 1996)

 

[diarm]

I can only think of 7 right now. I'll add the other 3 as I think of them.

Bergkamp for Arsenal against Newcastle
Bergkamp for Holland against Argentina
Van Basten for Holland against USSR
Messi for Barca against Getafe
Maradona for Argentina against England
Alberto for Brazil against Italy
Zlatan for Ajax against NAC Breda

 

[Harry190]

Ryan Giggs, FA Cup Semi-final, Arsenal at Villa's stadium, 1999

 

[Enigma_87]

1. Diego Maradona v England
2. Solskjaer vs Bayern
3. Van Basten v USSR
4. Zidane vs Leverkusen
5. Pele v Sweden, World Cup final
6. Cristiano v Juventus overhead kick
7. Ronaldinho vs Chelsea
8. Messi V Real Madrid, CL semi final
9. Bergkamp vs Newcastle
10. Henry vs United
11. Cristiano vs Porto
12. Ronaldinho vs Real (when they clapped him)
13. Gazza vs Scotland
14. Carlos Alberto vs Italy
15. Beckham vs Greece
16. Stoichkov vs Mexico
17. Sheva vs Juventus
18. Suker vs Schmeichel and Denmark
19. Hagi vs Colombia
20. Weah vs Verona
will think of more

 

[Tel074]

Maradona v England . The few weeks I completely fell in love with football and with Diego himself.. He scored a few unbelievable goals in that world cup .

 

[DVG7]

Great suggestions so far and have had a few via PM too.

@Avocado your #2 will not be featuring

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

If the criteria are;

The importance of the goal
The stage it was scored on
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness
Quality of opposition
Pure wow factor

then it's Carlos Alberto v Italy.

A World Cup final, against a pretty decent Italy team and a mix of abilities. Clodoaldo taking the piss with stepovers, a quick down the line pass to get in the other half, Pele taunting the Italian defender and then a perfectly weighted pass that is met on the fly and thumped into the corner.

The greatest team, in a World Cup Final, putting the cherry on the cake.


I prefer team goals over a moment of brilliance (one pass, Bergkamp, goal... brilliant individualism admittedly).

The other goal that springs to mind is Mick Channons goal for Southampton v Liverpool ... a mix of passes (and headers), movement and an emphatic finish. I doubt many posters have seen it but it's worth YouTubeing. (I think Liverpool might have been European Cup holders at the time too.)

 

[paraguayo]

Ronaldinho vs England

 

[DVG7]

If the criteria are;

The importance of the goal
The stage it was scored on
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness
Quality of opposition
Pure wow factor

then it's Carlos Alberto v Italy.

A World Cup final, against a pretty decent Italy team and a mix of abilities. Clodoaldo taking the piss with stepovers, a quick down the line pass to get in the other half, Pele taunting the Italian defender and then a perfectly weighted pass that is met on the fly and thumped into the corner.

The greatest team, in a World Cup Final, putting the cherry on the cake.


I prefer team goals over a moment of brilliance (one pass, Bergkamp, goal... brilliant individualism admittedly).

The other goal that springs to mind is Mick Channons goal for Southampton v Liverpool ... a mix of passes (and headers), movement and an emphatic finish. I doubt many posters have seen it but it's worth YouTubeing. (I think Liverpool might have been European Cup holders at the time too.)

the criteria is to be alluded to, not necessarily followed to a tee, it doesn’t need to tick all the boxes but there is a lot to be said for doing it on the grandest stage, and at which point in the game. It’s why I rank bales goal so highly.

 

[Eckers99]

Another hand for Maradona v England.

 

[Redcy]

Rivaldos overhead vs Valencia.

 

[Charlie Foley]

Great hit, WC Semi final

 

[SAFMUTD]

Bales goal against liverpool in the UCL final, it was the 2-1 at the moment and its hard to get a better goal than that one.

 

[2mufc0]

In terms of sheer quality, pressure and difficulty Giggs vs Arsenal 99 and Diego vs England 86 stand out for me. There have been others I can't be arsed to list them all.

 

[Sayros]

It's hard for me to put anything before Ronaldinho's goal against Chelsea with the toe poke curler leaving Cech standing still, but Barcelona ended up losing the game so I have to go with Zidane's volley against Leverkusen.

 

[marukomu]

He will be remembered for just this goal.

 

[Invictus]

1. Diego Maradona vs. England (1986, World Cup)
2. Arie Haan vs. Italy (1978, World Cup)
3. Marco van Basten v USSR (1988, European Championship)
4. Ryan Giggs vs. Arsenal (1999, FA Cup)
5. Éder vs. USSR (1982, World Cup)
6. Lionel Messi vs. Real Madrid (2011, Champions League)
7. Pelé vs. Sweden (1958, World Cup)
8. Esteban Cambiasso vs. Serbia & Montenegro (2006, World Cup)
9. Zinédine Zidane vs. Bayer Leverkusen (2002, Champions League)
10. Carlos Alberto vs. Italy (1970, World Cup)
11. Rivaldo vs. Valencia (2001, La Liga)
12. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Juventus (2018, Champions League)
13. Ronaldinho vs. Chelsea (2005, Champions League)
14. Dennis Bergkamp vs. Argentina (1998 World Cup)
15. Roberto Baggio vs. Czechoslovakia (1990, World Cup)
16. David Beckham vs. Greece (2001, World Cup qualifier)
17. Clarence Seedorf vs. Atlético Madrid (1997, La Liga)
18. Alessandro Del Piero vs. Fiorentina (1994, Serie A)
19. Roberto Carlos vs. France (1997, Tournoi de France)
20. Zlatan Ibrahimović vs. NAC Breda (2004, Eredivisie)

Honorable mention(s): Johan Cruyff vs. Den Haag, Pauléta vs. Marseille, George Best vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Ferenc Puskás vs. England, Mauro Bressan vs. Barcelona and Jared Borgetti vs. Italy.

 

[TheReligion]

Ighalo v LASK

 

[AKDevil]

Ibrahimovic v NAC Breda
Rooney overhead v City
Beckham v Wimbledon
Ibrahimovic v England
Samuel Umtiti v Spurs
Erik Lamela rabona
Mesut Ozil v Ludogorets
Roberto Carlos v France
Zidane v Leverkusen
Owen v Argentina
Giggs v Arsenal
Seedorf (ridiculous long ranger)
Ronaldo v Juve
Bale v Liverpool

 

[Ramos]

1. Diego Maradona vs England (1986)
2. Zinedine Zidane vs Leverkusen (2002)
3. Marco Van Basten vs USSR (1988)
4. Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina (1998)
5. Rivaldo vs Valencia (2001)
6. Pele vs Sweden (1958)
7. Maxi Rodriguez vs Mexico (2006)
8. Manuel Negrete vs Bulgaria (1986)
9. Carlos Alberto vs Italy (1970)
10. Gareth Bale vs Liverpool (2018)
11. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Juventus (2018)
12. Thierry Henry vs United (2000)
13. Trevor Sinclair vs Barnsley (1997)
14. Roberto Carlos vs France (1997)
15. Wayne Rooney vs City (2011)
16. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England (2012)
17. Esteban Cambiasso vs Serbia (2006)
18. Van Persie vs Charlton (2006)
19. Roberto Carlos vs Tenerife (1998)
20. Ricardo Quaresma vs Belgium (2007)

 

[meamth]

Ole's goal that won us the Champion's league.

Without that, we won't get that treble, won't be as big as we are now.

 

[Gio]

1. Maradona v England, WC QF
2. Rivaldo v Valencia, final league game of the season
3. Van Basten v USSR, Euros Final
4. Cambiasso v Serbia, WC group stage
5. Carlos Alberto v Italy, WC Final
6. Roberto Carlos v Tenerife, La Liga
7. Ronaldo v Compostela, La Liga
8. Bale v Liverpool, CL Final
9. Puskas v unknown
10. Pele v Sweden, WC Final
11. Zidane v Leverkusen, CL Final
12. Bergkamp v Newcastle, Premier League
13. Taison v Rosenborg, Europa League
14. Cristiano Ronaldo v Juventus, CL QF
15. Maradona v Belgium, WC SF
16. Messi v Real Madrid, CL SF
17. Van Bronckhorst v Uruguay, WC SF
18. Weah v Verona, Serie A
19. Messi v Getafe, La Liga
20. Gerrard v West Ham, FA Cup Final

Weighted more on importance - stage and drama - as per @DVG7's criteria. A few sensational solo goals - Ibrahimovic v Breda, Best in the NASL, Mostovoi in Russia - that dropped down the list as a result. A handful purely on technical merit could be there - McGinn v Sheffield United, Ibra v England, Van Basten v Den Bosh - but deserved a grander stage.

 

[DVG7]

Ole's goal that won us the Champion's league.

Without that, we won't get that treble, won't be as big as we are now.

not necessarily. With SAF resolve and that squad of players, could have gone out next season and won it, it’s all a bit hypothetical but what’s for certain is that goal is a tap in at the back post, so it shouldn’t feature in a list like this.

 

[BazzaBear]

Ryan Giggs, FA Cup Semi-final, Arsenal at Villa's stadium, 1999

It's a freaking travesty that this was only mentioned at post 6. On every criteria mentioned in the OP it's in the top echelon.

 

[Kentonio]

Zola goal vs Norwich
Essien goal vs Barcelona

Two of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. The first for pure unmitigated style and the second for raw power.

 

[Vault Dweller]

1. Giggs v Arsenal
2. Maradona v England
3. Zidane v Leverkusen
4. Rooney v City
5. Cristiano Ronaldo v Juventus
6. Macheda v Villa
7. Cristiano Ronaldo v Porto
8. Van Basten v USSR
9. Bergkamp v Argentina
10. Bale v Barcelona

 

[vidic blood & sand]

I think Bale against Liverpool CL final would be hard to beat for me.

Spoiler

 

[ThierryHenry]

I think my favourite Henry goals are vs. Liverpool in 2004 and vs. Madrid in 2006. The United one everyone mentioned his probably the best, but the importance of those two makes them better. Plus, the moment where he made Carragher and Henchoz (I think?) knock each other over will always be funny.

Favourite United goal would probably be the Ronaldo header against Roma. I’ve never seen anything like it, the way he flies into the ball from off screen, how you had no idea who the cross was being made to when first watching. Sensational.

 

[DVG7]

Not everyone is posting a list which will make it difficult for counting votes, but I will make sure every goal mentioned gets a write up to some degree and hopefully have enough of a consensus to do a top 10 that actually holds merit

 

[RedRonaldo]

The goals I could remember:

1. Maradona vs England (best solo goal ever scored , winning goal in WC semi)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.9/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 2/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2
9.9/10

2. Ronaldo vs Juventus (great bicycle kick goal in CL semi)
The importance of the goal = 1.8/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.8/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 1.9/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2
9.5/10

3. Zidane vs Leverkusen (great volley winning goal in CL final )
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 2/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 1.9/2
Quality of opposition = 1.5/2
Pure wow factor =1.9/2
9.3/10

4. Bale vs Liverpool (great bicycle kick in CL final)
The importance of the goal = 1.6/2
The stage it was scored on = 2/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 1.8/2
Quality of opposition = 1.9/2
Pure wow factor = 1.9/2
9.2/10

5. Giggs vs Arsenal (great solo goal, winning goal in FA Cup Semi)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.5/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 1.9/2
Quality of opposition = 1.9/2
Pure wow factor = 1.9/2
9.2/10

6. Messi vs Real Madrid (great solo goal in CL semi)
The importance of the goal = 1.4/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.8/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 2/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2
9.2/10

7. Rivaldo overhead kick vs Valencia (great crucial goal in last game of season for CL spot)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.5/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 1.5/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2
9/10

8. Cantona vs Liverpool (great volley , winning goal in FA Cup Final)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.7/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 1.7/2
Quality of opposition = 1.7/2
Pure wow factor =1.7/2
8.8/10

9. Ole vs Bayern (dramatic late winning goal in CL Final)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 2/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 0.5/2
Quality of opposition = 2/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2 (very subjective, but every Man Utd fans would wow on that goal)
8.5/10

10. Beckham vs Greece (great injury time crucial free kick in WC playoff)
The importance of the goal = 2/2
The stage it was scored on = 1.6/2
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 1.6/2
Quality of opposition = 1.4/2
Pure wow factor = 1.7/2
8.3/10

Honourable mention:
Carlos vs France (great freekick in international friendly)
The importance of the goal = 1/2 (without that goal they loss, but even they loss its just a friendly, but its still iconic)
The stage it was scored on = 0/2 (its just a meaningless friendly)
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 2/2
Pure wow factor = 2/2 (out of this world)
7/10

Beckham vs Wimbledon (great halfway line goal)
The importance of the goal = 1/2 (its just one of the league goal, but its iconic)
The stage it was scored on = 1/2 (its just a normal league game)
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2
Quality of opposition = 1/2 (its just wimbledon)
Pure wow factor = 2/2 (nobody expect that)
7/10

Son vs Burnley (great solo goal)
The importance of the goal = 0.4/2 (its just 1 of 5 goals which won the game)
The stage it was scored on = 1/2 (its just a league game)
Difficulty of execution/uniqueness = 2/2 (70 yards solo goal, you don't see this very often)
Quality of opposition = 1/2 (burnley...)
Pure wow factor = 2/2 (he started the run from 70 yards out...)
6.4/10

 

[DVG7]

@RedRonaldo

brilliant list, thanks!!

I’m assuming you mean Beckham free kick v Greece and not Sweden?

 

[James Peril]

Maradona’s goal.... is a prime example of how bad defenders were a few decades ago. Like really, really bad, looking like pub players the lot of them. He should have been wacked down long before entering the last third. And was it really him scoring, or was it an own-goal by the defender? I can’t tell.

 

[RedRonaldo]

@RedRonaldo

brilliant list, thanks!!

I’m assuming you mean Beckham free kick v Greece and not Sweden?

Oh right, its Greece

 

[Untd55]

1. Bale v Liverpool (Final) - Winning goal of the Champion's League final and overhead kick will take some beating.

2. Ronaldo v Juventus (Semi-final)

3. Giggs v Arsenal FA Cup

4. Zidane v Leverkusen (Final)

5. Scholes v Barcelona (Semi-final) - Winning goal and was not expecting it to go in.

6. Rooney v City

 

[Peyroteo]

Maradona’s goal.... is a prime example of how bad defenders were a few decades ago. Like really, really bad, looking like pub players the lot of them. He should have been wacked down long before entering the last third. And was it really him scoring, or was it an own-goal by the defender? I can’t tell.

All goals where a player dribbles past a team from behind the halfway line can be put down to bad defending as there's always at least a chance to make a foul and stop the play. Still takes incredible talent to be able to do it.

 

[Canagel]

Zidane vs Leverkusen
Maradona vs England
Bergkamp vs Ncastle
Messi vs Getafe
Henry vs Man Utd
Messi vs Bayern (2nd)
Ronaldo vs Compostela
Roberto Carlos vs France
Giggs vs Arsenal
Bergkamp vs Argentina

 

[DVG7]

Came across this whilst watching some goals. Incredible.