3 goal-line clearances in recent times that redefined the art of defending

It is said that attacking wins you games while defence wins championships. Any good team with championship pedigree has to have good defensive strategies in place. Modern football coaches spend a lot of time trying to find a winning formation that works. Deploying the right kind of players especially defensively has over the years proven to be vital. There are those players that crack under pressure with some thriving in similar circumstances.

Chelsea legend and former long-term captain John Terry was one of the best defenders of his generation. He was known to fully commit into challenges and put his body on the line to block goal-bound shots. For the fans, seeing players' successful last-ditch defending is comparable to a striker scoring a beautiful goal on the other end.

There are players who have come to their team's rescue by making timely goal line clearances. By doing so, they prevented what would ideally be a certain goal. These three players made it happen for their sides by pulling off these crucial clearances without time to consult any defending rulebook.

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#3 Alderweireld vs England

Alderweireld ensured that Belgium remained in the lead

On July 14, 2018, England faced Belgium for the second time at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in match played in the St. Petersburg Stadium, Russia. Unlike their dead rubber Group G match in June, they were battling it out for third place. Both sides fielded strong players for this one. As expected, Belgium dominated this match and carved England open at will. In the fourth minute, Thomas Meunier gave Belgium the lead from close range after a lovely Nacer Chadli cross.

In the 70th minute, England had a good chance to equalise. Eric Dier exchanged passes with Marcus Rashford. Vincent Kompany missed the return pass to Dier who was through on goal. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois rushed off his line with Dier applying a clever dink over Courtois. However, the goal-bound ball was cleared off the line by the alert Toby Alderweireld.

#2 Jordi Alba v Real Madrid (2017)

Alba was quick to deny Real Madrid at the goal line

In August 2017, Barcelona played Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final at the Camp Nou Stadium. It was one one of two matches that acted as a curtain raiser for Spain's two biggest clubs. El-Classico matches have at most times produced moments of magic and high-octane drama.

In this match, Real Madrid dominated proceedings in front of the Barcelona supporters. In the 55th minute, Karim Benzema dribbled on the left flank and danced his way past Gerard Pique. The French man then fired a low cross that flew past the goalkeeper to leave the open goal at Dani Carvajal's mercy. The goal appeared imminent but left-back Jordi Alba somehow got back in time, slid in and made the timely block to deny his countryman from point-blank range.

#1 Alessandro Florenzi v Germany (Euro 2016)

Florenzi acrobatically cleared the ball to prevent a certain Mueller goal

Italy faced Germany in the quarter-final of the 2016 European Championship in France. This was expected to be an explosive match given that these two were heavyweights in world football. Germany were on the front foot from the go and attacked the Italians with menacing pace. They almost took a deserved lead in this match minute when towering striker Mario Gomez pulled Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini on one side before setting up Thomas Muller.

The Bayern Munich man cut back to his left foot and rifled a hard left-footed shot. However, Florenzi was on hand to rush to Italy's goal line, adjust his body and make an acrobatic clearance off his right foot. This piece of defending was touted by various quarters as the clearance of the century. Florenzi was a true representation of the elite defending Italy is known for. Despite his best effort, Germany prevailed 6-5 on penalties.