Olimpico Goal- History of One of the Most Unique Achievements in Football

The sport of football brings with it innumerable outcomes and possibilities for what can happen during a match. Be it a moment of magic and wonder or an uncharacteristic mistake, this unpredictable nature of the game is what makes it enjoyable to watch. That said, today we are going to be diving into one of the rarest phenomena to occur on a footballing pitch, an Olimpico Goal. 

For the most part, goals are pretty common during games. With teams across the various regional leagues or internationally having games every week, there are always many goals to discuss. Not only that, but these goals are often scored in a variety of different ways, ranging from open play to long-range screamers, set pieces, free kicks, and more. As such, there’s always a selection and different types of goals scored overall. 

That said, an Olimpico goal is much different from the rest. One of the rarest types of goals you will ever see, it is one that also comes with an interesting origin story. Without much further ado, let’s dive into what is an Olimpico Goal, how it originated, its history, and the select few names that have managed to score one in an official match. 

What Is An Olimpico Goal?

In order to understand what is an Olimpico Goal, let’s first understand how a corner kick takes place. During open play, if the ball comes off a defender or a goalkeeper on their side of the pitch and goes behind the field of play, then the opposing team is awarded a corner. This is often the result of a tackle, block, or interception made by a defender or perhaps a save by the goalkeeper to deny the opposition from scoring. 

Thereafter, the team that concedes the corner line up around their box, forming a crowd around their goalkeeper, whilst the team awarded the corner gets into positions that would be best suited to allowing them to score a goal. In most cases, the attacking team sends their central defenders and those who are more adept at heading the ball into the opposition box. In rarer cases, teams even send their goalkeeper up, in hopes of securing a last-gasp equaliser or winner. 

Often, the attacking team will look to hang the ball up in the six-yard box, hoping to find one of their own. In other cases, teams have been seen to deploy more elaborate tactics, moving the ball around the box, before attempting to deliver it to an unmarked attacker. However, in an Olimpico Goal, the player that takes the kick is the scorer. 

Thus, to put it simply, an Olimpico Goal is a goal that is scored directly from a corner kick. 

Origin Of The Olimpico Goal

For the most part, an Olimpico Goal is a rare sight on a football pitch due to the complexity of it. After all, it requires a level of technical skill that only a handful of football players across the history of the sport have been able to demonstrate. Seeing that the corner taker must attempt the kick from an extremely acute angle, the possibility of a direct goal is not seen as a feasible outcome. Thus, set-piece takers often opt for something more likely to fetch them a chance at a goal, as explained above. 

However, in 1924, Argentina’s Cesareo Onzari dared to be different and made the impossible possible. Throwing all caution to the wind, the winger Onzari attempted a direct shot at goal from a corner kick, merely 15 minutes into the game. With no other player touching the ball before it made its way into the net, the goal marked a historic moment in the sport. 

As such, the instance came to be known as “Gol Olímpico”, (Spanish for ‘Olympic goal’) as it came against the reigning Olympic champions Uruguay at the Sportivo Barracas’ stadium. Thus, whilst Argentina went on to win 2-1, the match itself marked the birth of a truly special phenomenon.  

Best Olimpico Goals in History 

Over the years, football players across the globe have gradually become more and more skilled. As such, we have been blessed with many such stars who can demonstrate pure footballing genius and exquisite talent even during the most high-pressure moments. Similarly, we have also experienced some generational talents, known for their ability to strike the ball, in their own signature ways. 

Names like Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo, and in modern times, Trent Alexander Arnold from Liverpool come across as some of the most gifted strikers of a ball. That said, in today’s day and age, it is often common practice for footballers to attempt something like an Olimpico during their training sessions. 

Naturally, there is a big difference between doing it in training and pulling off the same in an actual game. However, the difficulty and sheer brilliance required to pull it off has not disparaged a few brave hearts. As such, let’s take a look at some of the best Olimpico goals scored in football history. 

1. Megan Rapinoe, USWNT

To kick things off, we have Megan Rapinoe of the United States Women’s National Team who is the only name on this list to have numerous Olimpico goals to her name. Notably, Rapinoe created history when she scored an Olimpico against Canada in the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics.

Nine years later, the US captain would once again repeat this feat after curling in another corner during the 2020 Olympics bronze medal match against Australia

2. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls 

Despite being in the twilight of his career, former Arsenal and Barcelona legend Thierry Henry rolled back the years with a wondrous corner kick in the MLS in 2012. Seen as one of the most technically gifted footballers of his time, Henry created many moments of magic throughout his career. Adding an Olimpico to the list, was most certainly the cherry on top of the cake. 

3. David Beckham, LA Galaxy 

Having made a name for himself under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and then as a Galactico at Real Madrid, David Beckham would see out his career in the MLS at LA Galaxy. Here, during an intense game against Chicago Fire in 2011, Beckham produced a stunning corner kick which left the goalkeeper and the defenders scrambling yet unable to keep out a curling shot.

Honorable Mentions

Seeing that it is a rarity in football, there are only a handful of players that have managed to score an Olimpico goal. Other examples include James Ward-Prowse when he scored against Wolverhampton Wanderers for West Ham in the Premier League last season, Ireland, and Arsenal star Katie McCabe at the 2023 World Cup against Canada. Lastly, we have Colombia’s Marcos Coll when he scored for his country against the Soviet Union at the 1962 World Cup.