Anatoliy Trubin has etched his name into football folklore with a dramatic 98th-minute header that kept Benfica's Champions League hopes alive on Wednesday night. The Ukrainian goalkeeper's extraordinary intervention sent Jose Mourinho into raptures on the touchline, triggered a pitch invasion from Benfica substitutes, and condemned Real Madrid to the play-offs while eliminating Marseille from the tournament entirely.
The Unique Magic of Goalkeeper Goals
There exists a special enchantment when a goalkeeper finds the net, perhaps stemming from the sheer novelty of the occurrence. These moments carry added weight because, in all probability, that particular goalkeeper may never score again throughout their entire career. Typically, these goals arrive in the dying moments of significant matches – otherwise, what would prompt the goalkeeper to venture so far forward?
Trubin's heroic header has reignited conversations about the most remarkable goalkeeper goals in football history. From last-gasp equalisers to astonishing long-range efforts, these moments transcend ordinary match-winning goals to become legendary sporting narratives.
Football's Most Memorable Goalkeeper Goals
Oscarine Masuluke's Bicycle Kick Brilliance
South African goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke nearly claimed the global goal of the year award for his spectacular overhead kick in the 96th minute of a 2016 South African Premiership match. The Baroka stopper's incredible strike from the edge of the area secured a dramatic equaliser against Orlando Pirates and ultimately preserved his club's top-flight status by a single point.
Masuluke's breathtaking effort earned a nomination for the prestigious 2017 Puskas Award, where it garnered an impressive 27.48 per cent of the vote, finishing second only to Olivier Giroud's scorpion kick for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.
Jimmy Glass's Football League Saviour
Jimmy Glass's legendary strike for Carlisle United against Plymouth Argyle in 1999 remains one of English football's most iconic moments. With Carlisle seconds away from dropping out of the Football League, the emergency loan signing from Swindon Town lashed home from close range to secure a 2-1 victory, sparking immediate pitch invasions and securing the club's league status.
The remarkable commentary captured the breathless drama of the occasion, with the commentator sounding genuinely winded by the stupefying nature of Glass's intervention during only his third appearance for the club.
Alisson's Emotionally Charged Header
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson scored a stoppage-time winner against West Bromwich Albion in May 2021 that carried profound personal significance. The header kept Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes alive, providing the momentum that saw them secure a top-four finish and eventually reach the competition's final.
The goal arrived just six days after the birth of Alisson's son Rafael and merely three months after his father Jose tragically drowned in Brazil. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alisson had made the heartbreaking decision to remain in England with his pregnant wife rather than attend his father's funeral. His mother Magali described the moment as a divine blessing, while manager Jurgen Klopp called it "one of the most emotional moments of my life."
Asmir Begovic's Record-Breaking Strike
Asmir Begovic secured his place in football history by scoring what was then the longest-distance goal ever recorded during a Premier League match in November 2013. The Stoke City goalkeeper managed to lob Southampton's Artur Boruc from 91.9 metres out with a first-time strike of a backpass after just thirteen seconds of play.
Although Newport County's Tom King has since broken the record with a 96.01-metre effort in January 2021, Begovic's achievement retains special significance due to occurring in England's top division against established opposition.
Rogerio Ceni's Prolific Scoring Record
Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni stands alone as football's most prolific scoring goalkeeper, with an astonishing career total of approximately 131 goals. His remarkable tally includes 69 penalties and 61 free-kicks, making him one of football's most accomplished set-piece specialists regardless of position.
The World Cup winner, described as a "myth" by former teammate Kaka, enjoyed a career spanning 1,209 matches and numerous domestic and international honours, with his inswinging free-kick against Corinthians in 2011 standing as a particular highlight.
Alberto Brignoli's Serie A Rescue Act
Alberto Brignoli provided Benevento with a rare moment of joy during their disastrous debut Serie A campaign in December 2017. The goalkeeper's 95th-minute bullet header against AC Milan secured the club's first point of the season after fourteen consecutive defeats, setting a new record for Europe's worst-ever start in a top-five league.
Despite Brignoli's heroics failing to prevent eventual relegation, his goal against Gianluigi Donnarumma remains a shining moment in the club's history.
Ivan Provedel's Champions League Debut Delight
Ivan Provedel became just the fourth goalkeeper to score in the Champions League proper with a 95th-minute equaliser for Lazio against Atletico Madrid in September 2023. The Italian's headed goal on his Champions League debut marked the first time a goalkeeper had scored in the competition since Vincent Enyeama's penalty for Hapoel Tel-Aviv in 2009.
Provedel displayed remarkable composure following his historic goal, later explaining that he hadn't fully processed the moment due to focusing on upcoming league commitments.
Peter Schmeichel's Premier League Pioneer
Peter Schmeichel broke new ground in October 2001 by becoming the first goalkeeper to score in the Premier League during his solitary season with Aston Villa. The Danish legend's scruffy volley against Everton, scored while carrying a thigh injury at age 37, ended nine seasons without a goalkeeping goal in England's top flight.
Hans-Jorg Butt's Juventus Vendetta
German goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt holds the unique distinction of scoring three Champions League goals for three different clubs – Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bayern Munich – all against the same opposition: Juventus. The penalty specialist converted left-footed spot-kicks against the Italian giants in 2000, 2001, and 2009, establishing himself as the Bundesliga's highest-scoring goalkeeper with 26 successful penalties from 31 attempts.
