Aberdeen’s Ryan Jack scoring from the half-lineOne of the greatest sights in world football, and arguably the most embarrassing for goalkeepers who suffer in its brilliance, a goal from beyond the half-line is always a memorable one. Many such great goals have been scored over the years, by known names to unknown quantities, enthralling fans and befuddling custodians who don’t expect it.Here are the 10 best goals scored by players from their own half.Note: We have left out goals that had any degree of luck involved and found the net because of an uneven bounce that beat the keeper.
#10 Rivaldo
While the Brazilian’s most famous goal might still be the bicycle kick against Valencia that helped Barcelona reach the UEFA Champions League, his goal against Atletico Madrid in 1998 is another memorable strike, especially given the circumstances.
The forward, after receiving a pass in his own half, was quickly closed down by an opponent, but still managed to fire an audacious attempt from the half-line that beat the keeper on its way into the net.
#9 Mor Diouf
One of the lesser names on this list, Senegalese defender Mor Diouf scored a miracle goal against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns from 70 yards out to hand his team SuperSport United a winner.
#8 Nawef Al Abed
A goal that many might have missed, but is on the list for its brilliant execution, Al Hilal’s Nawef Al Abed scored with a brilliant strike right from the match’s kickoff, leaving the Al Shaloah goalkeeper but dumbfounded and embarrassed.
His celebration was memorable as well, as the Saudi Arabian club marked one of the greatest efforts from distance in the history of football.
#7 Maynor Figueroa
A household name in the Premier League, Maynor Figueroa has been known over the years for his strong defensive performances, but his lethal strike against Stoke City showed another side to the Honduras international, as the left-back launched a freekick from beyond the halfway line past Thomas Sorensen.
The goal was awarded BBC Match of the Day goal of the season for the 2009-10 season, and makes it to number 7 on our list.
#6 Roger Garcia
Showing unbelievable technique to run onto a ball beyond the half-line, get his head down and smash a first-time attempt that flew into the net, Roger Garcia scored a brilliant goal for Espanyol against Rayo Vallecano.
Unlike many other goals from distance, the keeper actually put in a good attempt to retrieve the ball, but to no avail.
#5 Jone Samuelsen
High on this list for its innovation, Jone Samuelsen garnered massive acclaim when he scored a goal from inside his own half, using his head!
The Norwegian footballer, playing for Viking, saw his 58-metre attempt find the net, which also helped him earn a place in the record books as the scorer of the longest headed goal in world football.
#4 Jose Luis Chilavert
While most other goals by goalkeepers from distance have had an element of luck about them with the ball bouncing over the opposition keeper’s head, the eccentric Chilavert showed his well-known ability to strike the ball through his goal against River Plate.
A dead-ball specialist who has 67 goals to his name throughout his professional career, he showed great awareness to find the opposition goalkeeper out of position and placed his effort perfectly.
#3 Xabi Alonso
Known to be a great striker of the football, Xabi Alonso is at number 3 on this list for having scored two goals from behind the half-line.
What makes this feat even more amazing is the fact that the Spanish midfielder has scored one such goal with each foot, scoring with his stronger right foot against Newcastle while using his left against Luton Town.
#2 Dejan Stankovic
Another player who has shown propensity for the outrageous, Stankovic has scored off volleys from the half-line on two different occasions, against Schalke and Genoa.
Showing brilliant execution of a tough skill, the Serbian international beat Manuel Neuer in a crucial Champions League match, while scoring the other in a comfortable 5-0 victory against fellow Serie A side Genoa.
#1 David Beckham
Arguably the most famous goal of all those listed, David Beckham’s wondergoal against Wimbledon truly marked his arrival onto the big stage, with the Englishman’s career moving from strength to strength thereafter.
Beckham has showed throughout his career that the Wimbledon goal was not a one-time feat, and scored another from even further out during his stint in the MLS for LA Galaxy against Kansas City.
