After Arjen Robben’s 30 yard screamer for Bayern Munich last night sealed the German side’s path into the quarter-finals, Sport.co.uk thought it would be a good idea to delve the Champions League archives in search for other important goals from European football’s elite competition.
The former Chelsea winger, who has been in exceptional form for Die Roten this season with 10 goals in 22 matches, cut in from the right and sent an unstoppable left foot shot that whistled past Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey into the top corner.
Lars Ricken for Borussia Dortmund v Juventus (1996-1997 Final)
Talk about an impact sub. 16 seconds after coming on to the pitch, Ricken wrote his name into Champions League folklore after becoming the youngest player (20 years-old) ever to score in the final with this cheeky little chip. Whatever happened to the lad? Talk about peaking too soon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Manchester United v Bayern Munich (1998-1999 Final)
They do not come much more crucial than this. One of the most famous goals in the club’s history, ‘the baby-faced assassin’ will never stick out his right leg at a better moment in his life. It is tough to watch so many Germans upset in one place though….
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Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen (2001-2002 Final)
Zizou scores probably the best goal ever in the Champions League. Oh, he does it in the final. Of course. You’d expect nothing less of one of the most exquisitely talented footballers ever to grace the game.
Francisco Costinha for FC Porto v Manchester United (2003-2004 Last 16)
A minute away from their eighth successive Champions League quarter-final, United were sent crashing out after Tim Howard spilled a Benni McCarthy freekick to Costinha who turned home from close range. Cue that Mourinho ‘running down the touchline’ celebration. He had even more to celebrate a few months later when his Porto side beat Monaco 3-0 in final. A ‘special’ year for the Portuguese side, some might say…..
Steven Gerrard for Liverpool v Olympiakos (2004-2005 Group Stage)
“Oh You Beauty!” screamed Andy Gray as Gerrard’s bullet from the edge of the area flew into the net and sent Anfield into raptures. This last gasp goal sent Liverpool into the next round and further along the way to that night in Istanbul. You beauty indeed.
Luis Garcia for Liverpool v Chelsea (2004-2005 Semi-Final)
The ‘ghost goal’ that secured Liverpool’s place in the final for the first time in 20 years. Luis Garcia nipped in after Petr Cech had taken out Milan Baros to tap the ball over the line (not a guarantee). And they say you need luck to win major competitions…..
Thierry Henry for Arsenal v Real Madrid (2005-2006 Last 16)
The night when Henry showed how real galacticos should do it. Picking the ball up just inside Madrid’s half; the pacy Frenchman bamboozled his way through the defensive line before coolly slotting into the bottom corner. [Staying with the Andy Gray theme,] take a bow son.
Paul Scholes for Manchester United v Barcelona (2007-2008 Semi-Final)
The ginger wizard sent United to their first final in 9 years with this trademark ping of the right boot. A final in which they beat Chelsea on penalties. Cue John Terry crying…..
Andres Iniesta for Barcelona v Chelsea (2008-2009 Semi-Final)
What a year for Spanish maestro Adres Iniesta. A European Championship winner with Spain in the summer, followed by a domestic campaign for Barcelona that will long stay in the history books. And this goal in the last minute of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge was crucial to their Champions League success.
Sport.co.uk offers no apology for the commentary you are about to hear. Passion at its most intense…..