5 goalkeepers who make the most spectacular saves

Nnanna
Germany v Italy - Quarter Final: UEFA Euro 2016
Germany v Italy - Quarter Final: UEFA Euro 2016

The position of the goalkeeper is clearly the most important in any football game. Their performances can easily affect the eventual results because they are the final defensive stronghold in front of goal.

Goalkeepers need to concede as few goals as possible, as well as keep as many clean sheets as possible. How they achieve this, however, is what separates the above-average from the world's best. Some of the greatest goalkeepers in football history have made the most spectacular saves, especially in some of the most important matches ever.

Gianluigi Buffon immediately comes to mind with his spectacular save from Zinedine Zidane's powerful header during the 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France. The save was all the Italians needed to hold on and eventually win the game.

Perhaps one of the most spectacular saves ever was by Peter Schmeichel. It came for Manchester United against Rapid Vienna in the 1996 Champions League final.

In more recent years, goalkeepers like Aaron Ramsdale have made some truly spectacular saves. The Arsenal man recently produced a Save of the Season contender against Leicester City. It came after a free-kick from James Maddison. Ramsdale threw his outstretched body and had a brilliant touch to push the ball against the bar and keep it out of the post.

So without further ado, let's take a look at five current goalkeepers who make the most spectacular saves:


#5 David de Gea | Manchester United

Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Manchester United's longtime shot-stopper David de Gea might be having the hardest season of his career, but that's not entirely his fault. The star has struggled to keep the goals out, conceding 21 in just 12 Premier League games, while keeping just two clean sheets so far. United's leaky defense this season has seen quite a few goals get past De Gea, but his spectacular saves are still notable.

The star made a spectacular double penalty save for United early in their match against Watford. He also saved an injury time penalty against West Ham earlier in the season. More of De Gea's incredible saves have come in previous seasons against Liverpool, Chelsea and other clubs. His most notable includes a 14-save match against Arsenal where he conceded just one goal in 2017.


#4 Edouard Mendy | Chelsea

Chelsea FC Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Champions League Final 2021
Chelsea FC Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Champions League Final 2021

It was revealed earlier this month that Chelsea goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy has a 82.4% save rate this season. In all competitions so far, the star has maintained ten clean sheets in sixteen appearances. But it's not all about Mendy's shot-stopping ability. The star has made some rather spectacular saves since joining the Blues in September last year.

Eduoard Mendy notably saved a panenka penalty from Sergio Aguero during a rival game between Chelsea and Manchester City earlier this year. His nine clean sheets through the Champions League last season are a joint record, with Keylor Navas and Santiago Canizares.

It guided the Blues to a brilliant run that culminated in the title. Since the season began, Chelsea have conceded just four goals in the Premier League, and that's thanks to Mendy.

#3 Jan Oblak | Atletico Madrid

C.A. Osasuna v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander
C.A. Osasuna v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander

Ever since his unveiling at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2014, Jan Oblak has showcased some of the most spectacular displays La Liga has ever seen. His consistent performances have seen him win numerous awards, including the Ricardo Zamora trophy five times. The star notably conceded just 18 league goals in the 2015-16 season, equalling an all-time record low in La Liga history.

Oblak was on hand to kick Liverpool out of the Champions League last season as well. He made an astonishing nine saves, forcing the Reds into defeat.

His late penalty save that earned Atletico Madrid a vital three points against Alaves last season also guided them to a win in the league. The star has made spectacular saves, and many of them have been just as important as they were beautiful.


#2 Ederson | Manchester City

Leicester City v Manchester City - Premier League
Leicester City v Manchester City - Premier League

The Brazilian has made many spectacular saves en route to winning three Premier League titles since 2017, as well as an extra seven trophies to boot. Ederson joined Manchester City from Benfica four years ago and quickly became Pep Guardiola's mainstay between the sticks.

The star also notably became the first Manchester City goalkeeper in the club's history to provide an assist during a league game.

Last season, Ederson won the Golden Glove award for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League (19). He's already picked up seven clean sheets in 11 appearances this season, and could easily supplant his previous record of 19.

His key saves often come late in the game when City need to hold on for a few more minutes to pick up all three points. Many of those saves have been spectacular as well.


#1 Manuel Neuer | Bayern Munich

FC Bayern Muenchen v TSG Hoffenheim - Bundesliga
FC Bayern Muenchen v TSG Hoffenheim - Bundesliga

A major part of Bayern Munich's dominance of Germany over the last decade has been Robert Lewandowski's goals and Manuel Neuer's saves. Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, the German maestro has made countless spectacular saves, guiding Bayern to 26 trophies. The star also aided Germany's World Cup run that saw Die Roten win the coveted trophy in 2014.

Neuer is extremely popular for his sweeper role in Bayern Munich's high-octane style of attack. His brilliant saves have been key to their continental and domestic success.

His spectacular double saves and cat-like reflexes notably saw the star beat Oliver Kahn's Bundesliga record of 11 clean sheets in a row. Neuer's brilliant saves are countless, and the 35-year-old is one of the best goalkeepers of all time.

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Edited by Aditya Singh