Corinthians’ goalkeeper’s moment of genius – by LETTING a free-kick into his goal – is the latest eccentric moment from a shot-stopper… From scorpion kicks to penalty antics, here’s the best of the rest

Following Cassio Ramos’ second of genius for Corinthians final week, debates have been rife relating to a few of soccer’s most eccentric goalkeeper moments. 

The Corinthians goalkeeper produced a outstanding show of quick-thinking throughout his facet’s draw with Atletico Mineiro in Brazil’s Serie A.

Mineiro have been awarded a free-kick halfway contained in the Corinthians half and the ball was clipped in in the direction of purpose. Cassio seemed set to assemble the ball, however on the final second jumped out of the way in which to let it go straight into his purpose. 

It was a genius second from the Brazilian, who recognised that it was an oblique free-kick. Oblique free-kick guidelines forbid one participant from taking pictures instantly at purpose. 

And so, within the wake of Cassio’s sensible little bit of improvisation, Mail Sport takes a have a look at a number of the most iconic and eccentric goalkeeping incidents.  

Rene Higuita’s scorpion kick

Rene Higuita’s scorpion kick for Colombia towards England throughout a pleasant again in 1995 is arguably essentially the most eccentric factor a goalkeeper has ever finished. 

It is a second that has left an indelible mark on soccer folklore, with many claiming it is the primary time a scorpion kick was carried out in a aggressive soccer match.

In the course of the conflict at Wembley 28-years in the past, Higuita did the unthinkable and, when coping with a cross from Jamie Redknapp, leapt into the air, positioned his legs over his head and kicked the ball away along with his heels.

Followers, gamers and coaches have been left dumbfounded by the incident, which was – for sure – the spotlight of Higuita’s profession. 

The opposite most notable facet of his profession got here when he missed out on a spot within the 1994 World Cup squad after he was despatched to jail for performing as an middleman in a kidnapping case. 

Harald Schumacher takes out Patrick Battiston

It has been simply over 40 years since this incident happened however you may nonetheless do nicely to discover a extra reckless second of goalkeeping in soccer historical past. 

Throughout a World Cup conflict between France and West Germany, Patrick Battiston was left in a heap on the bottom after colliding with the onrushing Harald Schumacher. 

After a fragile through-ball by Michel Platini, Battiston raced onto the cross contained in the field, lengthy earlier than the German keeper, however knocked his effort vast of the goal.

The FC Koln keeper had ample time to use the brakes nevertheless, as an alternative, leapt into the air, twisted his physique and slammed into the Frenchman’s face at excessive velocity.

In a hideous coincidence, Schumacher fully obtained away with it purely as a result of the assault was so late that anybody following the ball missed it.

There was no foul, penalty or perhaps a yellow card given. As an alternative, Dutch referee Charles Corver signalled a purpose kick.

Grobbelaar’s wobbly legs

Earlier than there was Jerzy Dudek, there was Bruce Grobbelaar. 

The previous Liverpool goalkeeper made historical past after birthing the ‘spaghetti legs’ routine throughout Liverpool’s 1984 European Cup last towards Roma. 

The South African shotstopper carried out the now-iconic antics and contributed to Graziani and Bruno Conti lacking their essential spot-kicks on the evening. 

In 2018, Grobbelaar mirrored on the incident to Mail Sport, saying: ‘He [manager Joe Fagan] put his arm round me and quietly had a phrase. 

‘He advised me, “Look son, you’ve got had an excellent recreation. I and the coaches and the chairman and the administrators, the captain and the workforce and the ten,000 Liverpool followers usually are not going guilty you now should you do not cease the ball from 12 yards…” 

‘It was as I walked away, feeling a lot better, that he known as after me, “…however ensure you attempt to put them off”.

‘The 2 gamers I selected to do what I needed to do towards have been examined Italian internationals, not peculiar gamers,’ he says. ‘Bruno Conti picked the ball up and began dancing down the road (of Roma gamers) and that obtained to me.

‘He was all bouncy. I simply stood on the road and did the legs. He stopped dancing. He put the ball down on the penalty spot. And I did the legs once more. He put it straight excessive. That is after I thought, “Hmm, this would possibly work”.’

Rogério Ceni’s unbelievable goalscoring

There aren’t many goalkeepers who additionally make for nice goalscorers, nevertheless most goalkeepers weren’t like Rogerio Ceni. 

The Brazilian shotstopper is called a Sao Paulo legend and never simply because his 1237 outings for the membership see him prime the all-time look document.

Throughout his illustrious taking part in profession, Ceni additionally made a reputation for himself by changing into one in every of their most dependable goalscorers throughout his 23-year stint on the membership. 

The goalkeeper ended up changing into a dependable penalty kick and free-kick taker for Sao Paulo and managed to attain an unbelievable 131 targets in his profession.  

It is a tally that takes Ceni as much as tenth within the Brazilian membership’s all-time prime goalscorer listing. An unbelievable feat for somebody who’s duties are usually on the different finish of the pitch. 

Paulo Gazzaniga’s kung-fu kick

Lastly, now we have an entry for the modern-day soccer followers. 

In December 2019, throughout Chelsea’s league journey to Tottenham, the hosts’ goalkeeper carried out an motion that was later described as ‘assault’ by Sky Sports activities’ Gary Neville. 

With Chelsea main 1-0 courtesy of a purpose from Willian, Spurs’ Paulo Gazzaniga raced forwards and ended up clattering into Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso.

Bizarrely, referee Anthony Taylor initially punished Alonso for the incident, with Tottenham being given a free-kick, however VAR was then consulted.

Nonetheless, finally the choice was overturned, with Chelsea being given a penalty and Gazzaniga receiving a yellow card.

Willian stepped as much as take the penalty and ended up getting the higher of Gazzaniga to make it 2-0.

Joe Hart kicks promoting hoardings 

Again in 2014, Joe Hart let his frustration get the higher of him when he kicked an promoting hoarding throughout England’s 2-1 defeat to Italy.

Within the video beneath, the England goalkeeper might be seen operating behind his purpose late within the second half to gather the ball after Andrea Pirlo’s gorgeous free-kick crashed off the bar and out for a goal-kick.

Manchester Metropolis stopper Hart screams for the ball as he bids to restart play as rapidly as potential, however finally ends up booting an digital board in anger.

The 27-year-old had hoped to begin a decisive late transfer for the Three Lions as they chased an equaliser on the Enviornment da Amazonia after going behind to a Mario Balotelli header.

Hart might be heard shouting ‘Hey, hey, hey. Give me the f****** ball’, presumably to a ball boy behind the purpose, earlier than lashing out.

Roy Hodgson’s No 1 got here away from the incident unscathed, however he might have injured his proper foot given the pressure of the kick.

Emiliano Martinez’s penalty mind-games

When you forged your thoughts again to December final yr, you may bear in mind how Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez had riled up a number of nation fanbases for his World Cup antics. 

In opposition to the Netherlands, the Argentina shotstopper repeatedly carried out dance strikes after stopping the opposition from scoring throughout a penalty shoot-out. 

And he did the identical factor when his facet took on France within the match’s grand finale, the place he jumped and punched the air thrice earlier than telling the Argentina supporters to make extra noise after denying Kingsley Coman from the spot. 

To not point out that Alan Pardew-esque dance after Aurelien Tchouameni’s miss.

Previous to the Actual Madrid midfielder’s spot-kick, Martinez was additionally seen throwing the ball in an try to goad his French counterpart.