Soccer news: Jude Bellingham’s goal up with best overhead kicks of all time
Jude Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024 will last long in the memories of millions of England fans.
The Real Madrid star latched on to a flick-on from a Kyle Walker throw-in in the final minute of England’s last-16 clash with Slovakia on Sunday evening - and acrobatically kept his team’s tournament hopes alive to spark jubilant scenes of celebration.
Bellingham’s goal will be watched on repeat and remembered for years to come - and it got Sports News Blitz thinking about other overheard kicks that took the breath away.
Here, Johnny Jones recalls five other outrageous overhead goals that are worth watching on repeat like Bellingham’s brilliant effort…
Philippe Mexès - Anderlecht vs AC Milan, 2012
In AC Milan’s penultimate Champions League group match in the 2012/13 season, they led Belgian side Anderlecht by a goal to nil in a fairly dull encounter, until their widely unknown 30-year-old centre-half, Philippe Mexès, wandered forward for a free-kick in the 70th minute. Despite a poor delivery from team-mate Riccardo Montolivo, the Frenchman managed to cushion the ball with his chest and pulled off an outrageous looping effort from just outside the penalty area.
This moment of genius is surely the highlight of his career - scoring 24 goals in 17 years, none came close to this one. He hung up the boots four years later, having made over 400 appearances across his time at three clubs: Auxerre, Roma and, of course, the Rossoneri.
Ronaldinho – Barcelona vs Villareal, 2006
At the peak of his powers, Ronaldinho was a force of nature. He never failed to set Camp Nou alight with his sorcery, dazzling fans and defenders alike. As Barca comfortably led visitors Villareal 3-0 going into injury time, Xavi floated a cross into the Brazilian, who caressed the ball on his chest, then completed a 180-degree spin to shield it from the defender, before firing past the helpless Mariano Barbosa in goal with the overhead kick.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the game and undoubtedly one of the best entertainers. He picked up 13 trophies over his career, including a World Cup in 2002 and a Champions League in 2006.
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid vs Liverpool, 2018
Despite not being unanimously adored by Madridistas, Gareth Bale certainly delivered for them in the biggest moments of all. There’s no bigger game at club level than the Champions League final, and when his side found themselves drawn back level by Liverpool star Sadio Mané’s equaliser, the Welshman was deployed to restore their control, and that he did, scoring within only three minutes of being on the pitch. Despite a slightly unhelpful cross from Marcelo, Bale, stretching, managed to generate an unstoppable shot to beat Loris Karius.
He went on to score Madrid’s third of the night after a howler from the Liverpool goalkeeper, securing their 13th Champions League title and third one in a row. This won him his fourth UCL title, with triumphs in 2017, 2016 and the 2014 final against city rivals Atletico Madrid, where he also scored the decisive goal in a 4-1 victory.
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United vs Manchester City, 2011
One of the most iconic goals in the history of the Premier League and Wayne Rooney didn’t choose the worst occasion to score it. In a tense Manchester derby, with City rapidly becoming one of the strongest teams in the division - off the back of their lucrative 2009 takeover - Rooney gave United fans the bragging rights in remarkable fashion. Nani sent in a cross that was slightly behind him, but he was just about able to make do. Launching himself into the air, he left Joe Hart rooted to his spot as the top right corner bulged.
An iconic goal, leaving commentator Martin Tyler to simply say, “it defies description”, a perfectly appropriate sentiment. Rooney’s moment of inspiration would help United onto their 12th Premier League title later that season.
Zlatan Ibrahimović - Sweden vs England, 2012
Although plenty of bicycle kicks have been scored before by many a player, none have been anything quite like this. In a friendly between Sweden and England, the Scandinavians led 3-2 approaching the final whistle. As Joe Hart (once again on the receiving end of an extraordinary overhead kick) waited awkwardly on the edge of his penalty area to head away a long ball from Sweden, Ibrahimović’s presence seemed to put him off, as he made a right hash of the clearance. While racing back to his net, he could see the Swede attempting an audacious acrobatic effort around 30 yards from goal.
Such an unprecedented goal may have initially seemed impossible to execute but Ibrahimović, with his black belt in karate aiding him, never doubted he could pull it off, rather fitting in with his, at times, almost delusional self-belief.
