The Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah bore witness to one of the most audacious game-winning backheel goals the sport has ever seen. In fact, it might be the only one the sport has ever seen.
With the friendly match between MLS’s Real Salt Lake and Serie A’s Inter Milan tied at 1-1 in stoppage-time, Inter’s Stevan Jovetic pulled of an absurd piece of skill to decide the match.
A ball played over the top of RSL’s defense found its way to Jovetic, but his first touch sent him drifting wide of the goal. As he runs to collect the ball, his back turned towards goal, he clearly spots the keeper advancing from his line while another defender goes to defend on the goal-line.
Chance over, right? Wrong.
With the ball on his left-hand side, Jovetic wraps his right leg across his body and musters enough power on his backheel flick to send the ball through the goalkeepers legs and past the despairing defender on the goal-line.
It’s a ridiculous finish, but Jovetic, in typical preseason fashion, hardly even celebrates his accomplishment. Meanwhile, the defender on the goal-line is now part of internet lore.
ERMAHGERD BACKHEEL Photo: @Interiisti | Twitter
The 26-year-old Montenegro striker is looking to rejuvenate his career after three disappointing seasons across Manchester City and Inter. After scoring this goal, I'd say he's accomplished that task.
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
