Why We Love Goal-Scoring Goalkeepers
Six of the best, bizarre and most important strikes by football’s oddballs — and why it brings us joy!
Goalkeepers have long had the reputation for being the oddballs of the beautiful game. As members of the self-proclaimed “Goalkeepers Union” there is no question they have the loneliest and most unenviable position on the pitch.
More so than any other position, if the goalie makes a mistake they have their error amplified. Never mind the defender’s dodgy clearance leading to a corner, the midfielder’s “inch-perfect pass to no one in particular” or the striker’s failure to convert a one-on-one with the keeper, it’s the goalkeeping howlers we remember.
Perhaps then that’s why we love both the idea and spectacle of the goal-scoring goalkeeper. Maybe it’s karmic revenge for the hardships this lonely position occupies, that seeing the goalie hit the back of the net fills us with joy.
When I thought about writing this article, my impression was scoring goalkeepers was quite a rare phenomenon. With a few exceptions I knew and some high-profile goals I’ve seen, I suspected the numbers were quite low.
If I asked you how many goalkeepers have scored in “professional” competitions, and how many goals in total this amounted to, what would you guess?
My estimate was nowhere near!
Four hundred and fifty-five goalkeepers have scored a staggering 1,656 goals!
Let’s look at some of the most memorable.
The highest-scorer
This accolade goes to São Paulo’s Rogério Ceni. Over the course of a 25-year career, the Brazilian amassed an astonishing 132 goals — double the stats of his rivals. With 1,237 appearances for his club, his goals to games ratio is an impressive 1 in 10, with free kicks and penalties in his repertoire.
Most international goals
This prize goes to another South American, José Luis Chilavert, and second overall only to Rogério Ceni. With 67 goals to his name, the Paraguayan claimed eight international goals in a career spanning 1982–2004. Chilavert also holds the record of the only keeper to score a hat trick.
The first goal by a goalkeeper
We have to go back to 18 April 1900 when Charlie Williams, playing for Bolton Wanderers, scored with a long clearance against Sunderland at Roker Park. This first goal of the over 1,500 that followed was the only time this Victorian keeper ever found the back of the net.
The quickest goal
On 2 November 2013, Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic booted a backpass up the pitch only to catch out the defenders and unfortunate opposing goalkeeper of Southampton to score the only goal of his career to date. The time on the clock was just 13 seconds into the match — the fastest keeper’s goal recorded to date.
The most expensive strike
At the time of writing, and if results go as pundits predict, Liverpool will qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season by winning their last match of the season. The luxury of being in this position goes to their keeper, Allison Becker.
On 17 May 2021, with the score at 1–1 away to West Bromwich Albion in the fifth minute of injury time, Allison scored with a header from a corner. Even modest progress guarantees millions, with winning Europe’s most prestigious tournaments estimated at €82,400,000.
The most important goal of them all
This list is, of course, subjective. But as a supporter of a less glamourous club, my final choice reinforces the joy football brings. If you mention the name of Jimmy Glass to any English football fan, only one thing springs to mind.
On 8 May 1999, the final day of that season, Carlisle United sat bottom of the Football League. The equation facing them was the need to win their last game and hope Scarborough lost or drew their game. Going into the last minute of the season, Carlisle was drawing 1–1 with Scarborough having drawn their game.
All Carlisle needed was a winning goal and when they got a corner Jimmy Glass joined the game’s last attack. After a goalmouth scramble, the ball was at his feet and he scored the goal that kept Carlisle United in the Football League. Google this moment to see just what this meant to the club and its supporters.
Whether the oddballs of the game or an easy target for supporters’ wrath, there are few better spectacles on a matchday of the goal-scoring keeper. I just hope one day I get to witness it in person.
If you enjoyed my article, here are a few more from me that hopefully catch your interest!
