It’s not a stretch to say that England’s Euro 2024 campaign so far has been an underwhelming one.
While Gareth Southgate’s side were able to top Group C, they only managed two goals in 270 minutes of low-octane football, leaving rather question marks over their status of one of the bookies’ pre-tournament favourites.
A last-16 tie against Slovakia was their reward for winning their group, but a 26th-minute Ivan Schranz goal was followed by yet more sideways passes, a lack of substitutions and more entirely lacklustre play as the clock ticked into the final 90 seconds of stoppage time in Gelsenkirchen.
It looked like the curtain was falling on the Gareth Southgate era, but instead we got their latest chapter of the Jude Bellingham story, as the 21-year-old produced a stunning overhead kick to send the match into extra time, with Harry Kane quickly scoring the decisive goal when play resumed.
Whatever happens in Germany now, Euro 2024 has a signature England moment, but how does the Real Madrid man’s goal compare to other recent overhead kicks? DAZN takes a look…
Jude Bellingham - England vs Slovakia, 2024
While there’s no denying this was a brilliant strike, it is perhaps not technically up to some of the efforts that will follow on this list. Bellingham was ten yards out and the ball was travelling at a nice pace for him when Marc Guehi flicked on the throw-in.
However, from a narrative point of view, it trumps the lot. England were in the last-chance saloon when Bellingham’s left foot connected with the ball, facing an embarrassing early exit from a tournament they were favourites for. Defeat would have marked the end of an era as Bellingham showed that elite trait of being able to conjure up a moment of inspiration when his team needed it most.
Alejandro Garnacho - Everton vs Manchester United, 2023
Winner of the 2023/24 campaign’s Goal of the Season award, Alejandro Garnacho’s was a thing of beauty.
The 19-year-old showed off stunning athleticism to even get his foot on the end of what was an overhit, pacy Diogo Dalot cross, as he connected with a ball that was behind him at head height. He was then able to find the top corner of the net to leave a hapless Jordan Pickford with no chance.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Juventus vs Real Madrid, 2018
It should be little surprise that the Portuguese icon is on this list. His 2018 Champions League quarter-final strike for Real Madrid against a Juventus side he would join the following summer was a beaut. The height that the former Manchester United man is able to get was astonishing, as he fired home from the penalty spot past Gianluigi Buffon.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Sweden vs England, 2012
It takes a certain kind of footballer to even attempt an overhead kick, given how hard it is to get right. No player in the modern era had more confidence than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, so is it really a surprise that he had the balls to try his luck from 25 yards out against England on an evening where he’d already scored three goals?
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United vs Manchester City, 2011
Another goal that takes the breath away and one that is always in the chatter when it comes to the greatest goals in Premier League history. Manchester derbies are always spiky affairs and Rooney rose to the occasion in 2011, when he saw a deflected cross float in behind him. The power of this shot makes it stand out from the others on this list and the fact that he shinned it makes it even more impressive.
Rivaldo - Barcelona vs Valencia, 2001
Like Bellingham, the timing on this one was impeccable. Barcelona took on Valencia on the final day of the 2000/01 La Liga season with both teams duking it out for the final Champions League spot. An 18-year-old Rivaldo had scored two superb goals but the match was level at 2-2 in the closing minutes and Barca needed another goal. Frank de Boer would loft a ball into the edge of the box, with Rivaldo controlling it with his chest before unleashing a sublime overhead kick into the bottom left-hand corner of the net and securing a Champions League spot for his team.
Live on DAZN : Check your region for PFL and PFL Europe on DAZN . Click here for details.