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Marco van Basten's goal stands alone
Comments (11)
Monday, December 10, 2007 | 01:08 PM ET
A lot of great goals were scored this past weekend - Sulley Muntari's thunderbolt for Portsmouth and Fabrizio Miccoli's chip shot effort for Palermo spring to mind - with the Real Zaragoza-Espanyol contest in Spain producing six highlight reel goals in a 3-3 thriller.
Whenever a fantastic goal is scored it inevitably leads to passionate discussion as to which is the greatest goal of all time. I realize most fans and critics consider Maradona's second goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup to be the greatest ever scored, but for me, Marco van Basten's wonder-strike for the Netherlands in the finals of Euro '88 beats El Diego's effort hands down.
The scene: Munich's Olympic Stadium. After dispatching the Germans on their own turf in the semifinals, the Netherlands was up against a tough Soviet Union squad in the final. The Dutch took a 1-0 lead at the 32nd minute thanks to a Ruud Gullit header, but the game was far from over as the Soviets hung tough, trying to contain the creative Dutchmen. It took a truly inspired moment of brilliance from van Basten to seal the result in the 54th minute.
Defender Adri van Tiggelen intercepted an errant Soviet pass and ran forward before feeding Arnold Muhren wide on the left. Muhren punted a high-cross deep into the Soviet penalty area that found a wide-open van Basten. The Dutch striker, however, was in no position to score, as he was eight metres out from the Soviet goal and five metres from the right-hand goal-line.
It appeared van Basten had no other option except to pass to Gullit who was waiting expectantly in the middle. Instead, from an impossibly tight angle, van Basten hit an audacious volley over the head of Soviet goalkeeper Rinat Dasaev that slammed into the back of the net just inside the far post.
It was a piece of pure individual artistry, worthy of a player who was voted European Player of the Year on three occasions.
Maradona ran half the length of the field against England, dribbling past five English players and goalkeeper Peter Shilton before slotting the ball in the net. A great goal, to be sure, but one can't help but feel it never would have happened had one of the English players simply thrown out a leg or fouled him, stopping the Argentine wizard in his tracks.
Instead, Maradona was ably abetted by the English players, who basically watched as he dribbled past them as though they were pylons.
There was no stopping van Basten's shot. There was no way the Soviets could have defended against it, because 99 times out of 100, a shot such as that doesn't have a prayer of going in.
But van Basten routinely made the impossible possible, and that's why his goal in Germany is the greatest I've ever seen.
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John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (11)
denis
toronto
I totally agree.You do not see this goal often but it is great goal.Actually the Gullit goal is also good.It is one of the strongest headers you will ever see.I think Van Basten scored another great and very similar goal for AC Milan too but I can not remember the game or year.Check it out.Van Basten was one of my favourite players of all time even though his career was cut short.I he hope he wins the Euro 2008 with Holland since he is stepping down after as coach.
Posted December 10, 2007 02:51 PM
MAnuel Mendez
Problem is there are no You-tubes of a lot of the goals of yesteryear. One could argue there were better goals scored in other scenarios.
But certainly Pele's goal in the final of the 1958 World Cup beats these two, easily, this is not a lucky shot or something easily prevented, it is sheer genius: cold blood creativity, short space skills, complete control of the ball at its best. Honestly, no contest.
Posted December 10, 2007 04:26 PM
Carlo
Montreal
John, I don't think Maradona was really aided by the English for his goal. It was a fantastic individual effort by one of the greatest players ever. I agree Van Basten's goal was also out of this world but can't agree with your reason. However, the greatest goal for me was Fabio Grosso's goal in extra-time in the World Cup '06 semi-final. A beautiful curling shot, that found its way past of forest of players, Lehman's out stretched hands and just nicking the post on its way in. I admit it is not the most artist or technical goal I have seen but it was the most dramatic, and brought such joy and emotion that I will never ever forget it!
Posted December 10, 2007 04:35 PM
cwithy
vancouver
Bergkamp's France '98 strike against Argentina was superb. Given the opponent and the timing in the 89th minute, it was the perfect turn from soft feet to powerful placement. Sweet.
Posted December 10, 2007 05:03 PM
giggsy
calgary
I have to agree with Manuel Mendez, the goal by Pele was the best ever. As mentioned the control of the ball, clinical finish, composure and considering that was his first world cup and also his age: what was he 17/18.
Simply brilliant.
Posted December 10, 2007 11:18 PM
romario
ottawa
In my opinion the best gol i've ever seen thus far is the one Roberto Carlos scored at the tournoi de france against france just before the WC 1998. He hit the dead ball 30 yards out from barthez's net, and manage to curl it with the oudside of his left foot around the wall, sneaking into the the left post. At the speed the ball was traveling along with the curl and effect it was traveling at, it was impossible for any keeper in the world to have saved it.
I would compare van basten's goal to the one the master zizou scored against bayern leverkusen in the 2002 championns league finals. Except in my opinion Zidane's was better.
Solari lobbed a pass to Roberto Carlos along the left side, Roberto managed punt the ball in the air and in that instant moment it was like the world had stopped for zidane, and everyone awaited to see something no one had ever seen at a champions league finals before. It was as if he had waited an eternety for that ball to drop and connect with his left foot. It was a volley no one expected him to connect with his left foot, him being right footed. But indeed he did connect and what a goal it was. Giving Real Madrid's 9th champions league tittle.
Those 2 goals are such that I will never forget, the best 2 goals I've ever seen! HALA MADRID!!!!!!!
Posted December 11, 2007 07:54 AM
Patrick Bezemer
somewhere
I agree wholeheartedly that Van Basten's goal was the greatest of all time. Second, I believe, should be Roberto Carlos' effort in the last world cup, you know, that outside of the left foot rocket from the left corner, in full flight. That, for me,was the second nicest goal I've ever seen!
Posted December 11, 2007 08:56 AM
Galliano
Toronto
If you think Marco van Basten's goal is better than Maradona's you have serious mental issues.
Maradona's goal was better. He deeked out an entire team!
Posted December 12, 2007 06:42 AM
diego
The BEST gol ever was the one maradona scored in mexico 1986 against england. "Our Saviour Doesn't Cary a Cross on His Back, Ask The English, Our God Carries The Number 10", is a famous quote from an argentine commentator that narrated that gol. By far the best gol to have ever been seen at a world stage level such as a world cup. There will never be another Ddiego, just like there will never be another Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, etc... legends are born once, not cloned!
Posted December 12, 2007 09:32 AM
Jan Triska
Ottawa
Yes, Marco van Basten's goal is amazing. It is the best volley shot ever fired on a goal. The Soviet goalie had no chance, no goalie would have stopped it.
But goals come in so many varieties, that's the problem. How does one compare, for instance, the equally incredible Zidane goal against Brazil in the 98' France final (the second goal), with the fabulous dribbling of Maradona, or with some of the Beckham free kicks that seem to defy gravity laws?
I think the one player today who consistently scores amazing goals is Cristiano Ronaldo. I didn't like him at first but have grown to admire his skills. I mean, this is the guy who will absolutely terrorize any defence, at any instant he has the ball.
Posted December 14, 2007 10:27 AM
Jo
Toronto
Although Van Basten's goal against the USSR will always remain seeded in Dutch footballing memory, it really doesn't compare to another Dutch strike that was truly 'stand-alone'!
Maradona and Messi's wonder goals, against England and Getafe respectively, were amazing in their own right, however, both players were slightly aided in each effort.
If you folk get the chance, take a look (...that means you too Molinaro!)at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's one-man exhibition in control and finish For Ajax against NAC Breda on August 22, 2004. Seven players couldn't contain him!
The legendary George Best would have tipped his hat to this one. Even Van Basten himself declared it the greatest goal he had ever seen!
Posted December 15, 2007 11:51 PM