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Zlatan Ibrahimovic's rivals: The greatest goals against England

 

Thursday 15 November 2012 13:42 GMT
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic's overhead kick left football fans across the world astonished by its improvised beauty and skill.

England captain Steven Gerrard said it was probably the best goal he had seen live and manager Roy Hodgson compared it to "watching a video game".

Before last night Ibrahimovic had scored four times against English opposition in 1,536 minutes.

James Lawton: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's fourth of four goals was the workings of a genius that has never been the most accessible but never can it have been so persistently, and ungovernably, explicit. He has had many doubters in this land and all of us should today face life in a spirit of some considerable humility.

With Ibrahimovic's goal in mind, Press Association Sport looks back at some of the other wonder goals to have rocked England over the years

Diego Maradona (Argentina, 1986)

Where else to start than one of the greatest solo goals of all time? Fresh from putting Argentina ahead with the 'Hand of God' goal, Maradona took on six players as he made a 60-metre, 10-second run that culminated in him taking the ball round Peter Shilton and slotting home to eliminate England from the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Figo (Portugal, 2000)

Luis Figo dragged his team back from two-goals down with the goal he describes as the greatest of his career. Figo scored against Kevin Keegan's side with a 25-yard strike into the top corner following a deflection off Tony Adams' ankle.

Ronaldinho (Brazil, 2002)

Another player at the top of his powers at the time of scoring, Ronaldinho's free-kick was artistry at its best. Yes, David Seaman could have done better but the vision to float in a 40-yard free-kick cannot be underestimated.

Rui Costa (Portugal, 2004)

In a superb Euro 2004 quarter-final, the hosts went ahead in extra-time thanks to a moment of magic from Rui Costa. The midfielder burst forward from the halfway line and cut back on the edge of the box, before rifling home a strike off the underside of the crossbar.

Pal Dardai (Hungary, 2006)

One that will have slipped a few people's minds, but a superb strike nonetheless. Despite his team being outplayed, Dardai took one touch and then unleashed an exquisite strike from 30 yards.

Christian Pander (Germany, 2007)

England suffered their first loss at the new Wembley at the hands of old enemy Germany, who came from behind to win thanks to Pander's thunderous left-footed drive that flew past goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

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