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Time to spark some debate! In this list, we’ve created a rundown of 10 of the most iconic goals in
football history. Obviously, whether you agree or not may depend on which team you support and
your memories of the games and the goals, but there is no denying that all of the goals on this list
have their place in history.
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Let’s dive into the 10 most iconic goals in the history of the sport.
Diego Maradona takes on the whole team (vs England, 1986)
Wow, we could’ve selected either of Maradona’s goals against England in 1986, couldn’t we? The
“hand of God” is too painful for most England fans to relive, but in this goal, Diego showed what a
talented footballer he was, managing to dribble past half of the England team before finishing
masterfully.
The Argentine striker’s
stats were incredible throughout his career.
Sergio Aguero (vs QPR, 2012)
Aguero’s goal is one that nobody who watched the game will ever forget. He completed the late Man
City comeback, snatching the title away from rivals Manchester United in truly incredible fashion. This
will also always be remembered for one of the most iconic moments in commentary history, as Martin
Tyler commentated on the moment the goal hit the net.
Gazza and the dentist’s chair (vs Scotland, 1996)
Paul Gascoigne has his own page in the history of sporting mythology, and the enigmatic England
player hit the heights in the 1990s, scoring a stunning solo volley against Scotland and then
proceeding to rejoice with the equally iconic “dentist’s chair” celebration – a nod to some of the
drinking games that the England team were rumoured to be taking part in.
Lionel Messi goes into computer game mode (vs Getafe, 2007)
The fixture may not have been of incredible importance but this goal is iconic purely because it has
been replayed so many times. It is one of the greatest goals of all time as Messi picks up the ball in
his own half and takes on the entire Getafe defence, showing unbelievable control.
Zidane’s technique (vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2002)
It was no surprise to see Madrid triumph against the German team, and less surprising to see Zidane
score a dipping volley on his weak foot from the edge of the box. Still, this is a goal that will be
remembered forever as one of the true greats. What better stage to show your talents than the
Champions League Final?
Jimmy Glass (vs Plymouth, 1999)
Football is not only about the goals that are scored by the game’s superstars.
In 1999, Carlisle needed to win to stay in the football league or face oblivion and possibly even
liquidation. At 1-1 against Plymouth, their goalkeeper came up for a corner, when times were getting
truly desperate. He scored an iconic goal and the rest is history.
Marco van Basten’s volley (vs USSR, 1988)
The technique of Van Basten to hit this ball perfectly on the volley and score such an incredible goal
at the 1988 Euros final was an incredible feat, and a career-defining moment.
Roberto Carlos redefines the free kick (vs France, 1997)
This may have only occurred in a warm-up tournament for the World Cup but the unbelievable bend
and swerve on the goal was an incredible defiance of physics, and one that people would try to
replicate in school yards and football fields for decades.
Dennis Bergkamp did mean it (vs Newcastle, 2002)
This is one of the most debated goals in football history.
Alan Shearer believes he meant this
outrageous bit of skill, and that’s enough for us. Bergkamp’s pirouette and finish never gets old, no
matter how many times you watch it.
David Beckham takes matters into his own hands (vs Greece, 2001)
This doesn’t have the glory of some of the other goals, but Beckham played some incredible football
to drag his team to the 2002 World Cup. He was on fire towards the end of the game, before scoring a
trademark free-kick in the dying moments, showing the world what we already knew he could do. One
for the England fans!