Football Special Report: Ten Greatest Saves of All Time
Throughout football history, goal keepers are considered to be one of the most vital parts of the team and on the field. Their heroic saves are always remembered and more often than not, they result in the goal keepers as coming out as the shining star from
the match.
Noticing goalkeepers like Peter Schmeichel to Lev Yahson to Gianluigi Buffon, there is no doubt that the world has seen numerous goal keeping legends and these legends have made numerous legendary saves.
Here is a list of the greatest saves in football.
Gianluigi Buffon’s World Cup Save
In the hundredth and fourth minute of the 2006 World Cup match, Zinedine Zidane the French legend was about to make history and put France in the lead.
Zidane was sprinting towards the Italian goal post and had the opportunity to score. The goal keeper, Gianluigi Buffon made a spectacular save and knocked the ball over the bar and this turned out to be the turning point in the World Cup final.
In the end, Italy went on to two five to three on penalties and the match ended with a one to one score.
Iker Casillas Deprived Diego Perotti
In a 2009 La Liga match, Iker Casillas proved to the world why he is one of the best goal keepers in the world. The Real Madrid keeper deprived Sevilla’s striker Diego Perotti of a fantastic goal with a run across the goal posts.
In spite of this world class save Real Madrid still lost the match with a score of two to one when a late goal scored by Renato gave Sevilla the win.
Bruce Grobbelaar Stole Everton’s Win
In the 1986 FA Cup final, Liverpool’s goal keeper, Bruce Grobbelaar made an absolutely spectacular save when he hindered Graeme Sharp from Everton scoring a goal in the second half.
This save resulted in Liverpool winning the match with a score of three to one as Ian Rush netted two more goals in the second half for the win.
Rapid Vienna Vs Peter Schmeichel
In the 1996 Champions League match, Manchester United’s goalie made a save for the books by stopping the ball when Rene Wagner made a shot for the goal with a header.
Rapid Vienna went on to lose the match with a score of nil to two against the Red Devils with the goals scored coming from Eric Cantona and Ryan Giggs.
Petr Cech Stole John Heitinga’s Moment Of Glory
In one of the most interesting matches in the Euro 2004, John Heitinga was robbed from his goal glory, when Petr Cech made a fingertip save.
The save made by Petr Cech resulted to be the key turning point in the match as Czech Republic went on to win the match by a score of three to two and they went through the group without even a single loss.
Peter Schmeichel Robbed Newcastle
This save was voted to be the best save in the English Premier League of 2003, Newcastle strikers went racing towards Manchester United’s goal post and Peter Schmeichel made a brilliant save off from a header by John Barnes.
This save resulted in the match finishing for the Red Devils to win by a score of one to nil.
Jim Montgomery Made A Double Save
This is believed to be one of the best finals that the FA Cup has ever seen; Sunderland was able to rise victorious against Leeds with a score of one to nil.
This was a victory that came out solely out of the goal keeper’s efforts and Jim Montgomery made not one but two spectacular saves to confirm the win.
David Seaman's Claw
In a FA Cup Semi final match between Sheffield United and Arsenal in 2003, Arsenals Legendary goal keeper David Seaman literally stole Paul Peschisolido’s brilliant goal attempt at Old Trafford.
This also became David Seaman’s one thousandth career start and this made the Gunners advance to the FA Cup Final where they went on to score another win against Southampton with a score of one to nil.
Grégory Coupet’s Double Save at Camp Nou
In a match, that PSG lost with a score of three to two at Barcelona’s home ground Camp Nou. Gregory Coupet made a legendary double save when he denied Barcelona a point blank shot from the front and another chip.
Gordon Banks Vs Pele
In the English quarter final in 1970 that they lost to Brazil, Gordon Banks made a truly remarkable save on Pele’s shot to keep Brazil’s score at one to nil.
This goal is believed by most as the greatest all time save made by a football keeper, Gordon Banks dived to reflect Pele’s header over the bar.
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