7 best goal line clearances ever

There are goals, there are last-ditch sliding tackles, there are also inch-perfect through balls and heavenly long-balls. And then there are goal-line clearances. The special thing about goal-line clearances is that they are the true definition of ‘last-gasp attempt’.

When the goalkeeper fails to read the ball and lets it past him, when it seems like the ball is destined to hit the inside of the net, when all hope is lost, someone from nowhere comes to the rescue and clears the ball off the line—pumping the spirits of his team-mates and putting the opponents under despair.

And here are 7 of the best instances when the ball was stopped at the very, very last moment…

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#7 Raul Albiol against Sevilla

This is one of the most controversial goal-line clearance of all time as fans still, to this day, argue about whether this was in or out. However, what can’t be denied is that it was a valiant effort from Raul Albiol and that the referee deemed it outside the goal-line, hence making this one of the best stops ever.

As Luis Fabiano was clean through on goal with only Iker Casillas to beat, the Brazilian rounded off the Spanish legend and had the goal at his mercy. Sevilla fans, at that point, were sure that their team would equalise against the capital club, but Albiol had other plans.

The Spanish defender ran in like a raging bull about to attack a red piece of cloth in the form of a football. He slid in, but his first interception wasn’t enough as the ball was still travelling in. The momentum from the slide took him inside the goal, and yet, against all odds, he managed to keep the ball out by pushing it with the soles of his boot.