Even the English players were amazed on November 14, 2012 when Zlatan Ibrahimović attempted an overhead kick in the 91st minute – from 25 meters! Even twelve years later, the goal of the star striker, who has since retired, is still unforgotten.
But let’s start from the beginning: Steven Gerrard was actually supposed to be the man of the evening on that evening of the test match in Solna between Sweden and England. The former Liverpool player became only the sixth footballer to play his 100th international match for the “Three Lions”. At the end of the evening, however, there was only one topic left: Zlatan Ibrahimović’s goal.
With the score 3-2 for the home team, the Swedes hit the ball uncontrollably into England’s half. Joe Hart ran out of his box and headed the ball forward somewhat weakly and in a high arc.
Ibrahimović stopped, turned and attempted an overhead kick from 25 meters. The 1.95 m tall Swede with the stylish braid stood two meters above the ground in the air, hit the ball perfectly and shot it into the net over friend and foe. A sensational goal that caused the almost 50,000 spectators in the Friends Arena to go crazy.
Steven Gerrard thrilled: “Best thing I’ve ever seen”
The then Manchester United star striker had previously scored all three of his team’s goals. No other player in history had ever managed to score an incredible four goals against an English national team.
Apparently it was part of Ibrahimović’s show to act afterwards as if such a performance were normal. But it wasn’t her. “It was the best goal I’ve ever seen,” said celebratory Gerrard full of appreciation about Ibrahimović’s overhead kick goal, which is still being shared and celebrated on social media to this day.
Sweden coach Erik Hamrén said: “The last goal? We may never see one like that again in our lives. Unbelievable, really unbelievable.”