Top 10 Most Unbelievable Football Saves Ever
#10: René Higuita vs. England
In a friendly against England in 1995, it should’ve been a forgetful match since there were no stakes. But not with Higuita minding the Colombian goal. One of the pioneers of the “sweeper-keeper” role, he was known for his eccentric ways that could either produce magic or cost his team. Thankfully, on this night, it was the former. As England’s Jamie Redknapp poorly crossed the ball into the box, a usual keeper would’ve just grabbed it with their hands. But not Higuita. He jumped forward, swung his legs behind him in the air, and batted the ball away. Known as the “scorpion kick,” the world’s media lapped up this remarkable piece of goalkeeping.
#9: Jan Oblak vs. Bayer Leverkusen
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Atlético Madrid’s Slovenian goalkeeper is one of the very best in the world today. And in 2017, for the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, Oblak certainly rose to his stellar reputation. With Madrid having won the first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, they had to avoid a heavy loss to go through in the second leg. Well, the German team threw everything at Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak. At one point, he saved not one, not two, but three successive shots! When the ball went out of play, an exhausted Oblak fell to the floor and was acknowledged by his teammates for his efforts.
#8: Ben Amos vs. Shrewsbury Town
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With Shrewsbury Town’s Stefan Payne finding a chance in the box, he dummied a shot to find space, causing Charlton’s goalkeeper Ben Amos to fall to the grass. Now, Payne just needed to knock it in the net. Only Amos, with his back to the ball, springs up and somehow blocks the attempt. The ball trickles against the post before Amos manages to stop the forward from getting another shot away. It’s a shame The Addicks lost the game after such heroics from the former Manchester United ‘keeper.
#7: Joe Hart vs. Manchester United
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With United in the lead thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal, Man City had a corner near the end of the match. Well, Joe Hart went up for it, hoping to secure a point for his side. Unfortunately for City, United got possession and immediately ran toward the open goal. After some confusion, the ball eventually arrived at Rooney, who tried to score from distance. Only Hart, who had sprinted from one side of the pitch to the other, had other ideas. Facing the goal, Hart batted the ball out of the air and put it out for a corner.
#6: Tomasz Kuszczak vs. Wigan Athletic
With this moment being voted “save of the season” by “Match of the Day” viewers, it certainly lived up to the billing, and then some! Playing for West Bromwich Albion against Wigan in the Premier League, Polish ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was doing his best to secure the three points for his side. With Wigan attacking, the ball ended up at the feet of Jason Roberts in the box, a couple of yards from the goal line. Kuszczak released his inner Superman and dived across the line like a massive brick wall. He somehow blocked the shot with his outstretched frame! Beautiful.
#5: Gianluigi Buffon vs. France
Playing for Italy against France at the World Cup in 2006, Gianluigi Buffon had to watch as a cross whipped in by Willy Sagnol came to the head of an unmarked Zinedine Zidane. Uh-oh. The rocket header was aimed above the ‘keeper’s head. Buffon acrobatically jumped into the air and tipped it over. This save led to Italy securing the win and the World Cup that year. This save being just one example of his superb play throughout the tournament, Buffon was – unsurprisingly – awarded goalkeeper of the tournament.
#4: David Seaman vs. Sheffield United
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After letting in THAT Ronaldinho free-kick at the 2002 World Cup, not many had much faith in Seaman’s abilities. Well, a year later, he proved he still had it. Playing for Arsenal in an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, Seaman was making his 1000th senior appearance in football. With Arsenal leading one-nil, United had a corner. With the ball bouncing around the box, it fell to Paul Peschisolido, who had an open goal. As he headed it, it looked like a certain equalizer for The Blades. But Seaman, rolling back the years, dived backward, got his hand behind the ball, and pawed it off the line amazingly. This allowed Arsenal to progress and win the FA Cup that year! Not too shabby.
#3: Peter Schmeichel vs. Rapid Vienna
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We could’ve made a whole video on the amazing saves of Schmeichel, as the Danish ‘keeper has made that many jaw-dropping stops. But the most impressive took place in a UEFA Champions League group match in 1996 against Austria’s Rapid Vienna while playing for Manchester United. As the cross was whipped in for René Wagner, he rose and met the ball beautifully with his head. The fans in attendance began cheering, thinking their side had scored. While moving to his left, Schmeichel quickly dived low to his right and found the strength to bat the ball high and wide.
#2: Grégory Coupet vs. Barcelona
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In a Champions League bout against Barcelona in 2001, after receiving a poor pass, Lyon defender Caçapa raced to stop Rivaldo from stealing the ball by knocking it toward his ‘keeper. Only, he messed it up big time as the ball lobbed over Grégory Coupet’s head. The French stopper, not knowing if he could use his hand since it came off his teammate, darted back and launched himself towards the goal with his head, redirecting the ball against his own crossbar. But then, Rivaldo was ready to finish the rebound. The ‘keeper sprung to life and somehow stopped the blocked header on the line.
#1: Gordon Banks vs. Brazil
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When a save is labeled “save of the century,” you know it’s going to be something special. During the 1970 World Cup, England faced Brazil in a group match, Jairzinho put in the cross towards the six-yard box and found the head of one of the greatest players of all time, Pelé. He fired his header toward the bottom corner and then began to celebrate, sure that he had put his country ahead. Well, England’s legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks did something superhuman. He dived across the goal, got his hand behind the ball, and somehow redirected it over the crossbar. In interviews, the late Banks always joked that would be remembered for this moment more so than when he won the 1966 World Cup.
