Last-minute goal
Encyclopedia
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal
scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute (last minute goal). In football, the definition of a last-minute goal commonly used is one scored in the final or penultimate minute of normal or extra time or in stoppage time at the end of a match. The "golden goal
" briefly used to decide extra time in some tournaments is not considered a last-minute goal unless meeting the above criteria. Penalties scored in a shootout are never considered last-minute goals.
Last-minute goals have decided the outcome of several important football leagues and trophies, including the UEFA Champions League
, Scottish Premier League
, Football League First Division
, FA Cup
and European Cup Winners' Cup and The Treble
itself.
ending. It was used frequently in the television football drama Dream Team
, with the show finishing at the end of its final series on a fictional last-minute goal for Harchester United to win the Premier League. The real-life last-minute goal, scored by Michael Thomas, was used as a plot device in the novel Fever Pitch
by Nick Hornby
and subsequent films of the same name. In the film Mike Bassett: England Manager
, England
score a last-minute winner against old rivals
Argentina
(which parodies both the Hand of God and Maradona's Goal of the Century which were scored against England) to save Bassett's job. In addition to this, a last-minute goal by Luxembourg
against Turkey
allows Bassett's England to qualify for the World Cup
.
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute (last minute goal). In football, the definition of a last-minute goal commonly used is one scored in the final or penultimate minute of normal or extra time or in stoppage time at the end of a match. The "golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
" briefly used to decide extra time in some tournaments is not considered a last-minute goal unless meeting the above criteria. Penalties scored in a shootout are never considered last-minute goals.
Last-minute goals have decided the outcome of several important football leagues and trophies, including the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and European Cup Winners' Cup and The Treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
itself.
Notable last-minute goals
This list is not comprehensive, including notable goals from higher levels of national or international football.Continental Cup competition
- 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup FinalThe 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match on 10 May 1995 contested between cup holders Arsenal of England and Real Zaragoza of Spain. The final was held at Parc des Princes in Paris. It was the final match of the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the 35th UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final...
- Real ZaragozaReal ZaragozaReal Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
vs. ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, 10 May 1995: In the final minute of extra time (timed at 119:16), with the match heading to penalties, a spectacular 40-yard shot from Real Zaragoza's NayimNayimMohammed Ali Amar , commonly known as Nayim, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder....
cleared Arsenal goalkeeper David SeamanDavid SeamanDavid Andrew Seaman MBE is a former English football goalkeeper who played for several clubs, most notably Arsenal. He retired from the game on 13 January 2004, following a recurring shoulder injury...
, winning the cup for Zaragoza. Despite Nayim being at least 15 yards inside the Arsenal half and not being able to see it on camera, the goal is often incorrectly referred to as a goal from the half-way line.
- 1999 UEFA Champions League Final1999 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich...
(and The TrebleThe TrebleThe term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
) - Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
vs. Bayern MunichFC Bayern MunichFC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, 26 May 1999: Arguably the most famous example, where United scored two last-minute goals against Bayern to clinch the trophy and the Treble. Bayern led 1–0 going into injury time, but goals from Teddy SheringhamTeddy SheringhamEdward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
and Ole Gunnar SolskjærOle Gunnar SolskjærOle Gunnar Solskjær is the manager of Norwegian first division side Molde. He is better known as a former footballer who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United. Often dubbed "the baby-faced assassin," he played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very...
turned the game on its head and won the match for United. The goals, timed at 90:36 and 92:17, came so late that the trophy already had Bayern ribbons attached to it.
- 2008–09 UEFA Champions League semi-final - ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
vs. BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, 6 May 2009: Chelsea went into the final minutes of the game 1–0 up and on course to reach the final2009 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2009 UEFA Champions League Final was played on 27 May 2009 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. The match determined the winners of the 2008–09 season of the UEFA Champions League, a tournament for the top football clubs in Europe. The match was won by Barcelona of Spain, who beat England's...
, but Andrés IniestaAndrés IniestaAndrés Iniesta Luján is a Spanish football player. He currently plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team....
equalised for 10-man Barcelona in the third minute of injury time, giving them the crucial away goal that sent them to the final and ultimately victory over Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and The Treble.
Domestic Cup
- 1979 FA Cup Final1979 FA Cup FinalThe 1979 FA Cup Final was a football match played on 12 May 1979 at Wembley Stadium. The match was contested by Arsenal and Manchester United. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever finishes in an FA Cup final. For over 85 minutes the game had been unremarkable, with Arsenal taking...
- ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
vs. Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, 12 May 1979: In this match, known as "the five-minute final", Arsenal were beating United 2-0 with five minutes remaining, but United then drew level by scoring two goals in two minutes. However, their celebrations were short-lived when Alan SunderlandAlan SunderlandAlan Sunderland is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal and Ipswich Town. He was capped once for England.-Career:...
scored Arsenal's winning goal just a minute later.
- 1993 FA Cup Final1993 FA Cup FinalThe 1993 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley. The original match, played on 15 May 1993 finished 1–1, with Arsenal winning the replay on 20 May; 2–1 after extra-time....
replay - ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
vs. Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday F.C.Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, 20 May 1993: With the first 1993 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday ending in a 1-1 draw, the same scoreline stood in extra time during the replay. However, the 119th minute saw Arsenal defender Andy LinighanAndy LinighanAndrew "Andy" Linighan is a former English football player.Linighan was born in Hartlepool into a footballing family – his brothers David and Brian were also professional footballers. He first played for his local side, Hartlepool United, before spells at Leeds United , Oldham Athletic and...
outjump Wednesday's Mark BrightMark BrightMark Abraham Bright is a former English footballer who is now a sports pundit and BBC London's sport presenter, as well as a coach at Crystal Palace....
to head in the winning goal. Linighan played most of the match with a broken nose, having been deliberately stuck in the face earlier in the match by Bright, and his winner made Arsenal the first English side to win the domestic cup double.
- 2002 Scottish Cup Final2002 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2002 Scottish Cup Final was played on 4 May 2002 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 117th Scottish Cup. Celtic and Rangers contested the match, Rangers won the match 3–2, thanks to Peter Løvenkrands's last minute goal.-Match details:...
- CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
vs. RangersRangers F.C.Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, 4 May 2002: With Old FirmOld FirmThe Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals Celtic and Rangers drawing 2-2 in second-half stoppage time, Neil McCannNeil McCannNeil Docherty McCann is a Scottish professional footballer who is currently playing for Partick Thistle-Club career:...
sent in a far post cross for Peter LøvenkrandsPeter LøvenkrandsPeter Rosenkrands Løvenkrands is a Danish footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, and for the Danish national team. He is a striker who can also play as a left winger and is known for his pace....
to nod the ball over Celtic goalkeeper Rab DouglasRobert Douglas (footballer)Robert James "Rab" Douglas is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Dundee as a goalkeeper. He is a former Scotland international, and is known as a Motherwell F.C. supporter.-Celtic:...
from close range to win the cup for Rangers. The goal came with less than eleven seconds left to play, barely giving Celtic enough time to take the resulting kick-off from the centre.
- 2006 FA Cup Final - LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
vs. West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, 13 May 2006: West Ham were leading 3–2 going into injury time, but Liverpool captain Steven GerrardSteven GerrardSteven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
scored what proved to be the Goal of the SeasonGoal of the SeasonIn English football, the Goal of the Season is an annual competition and award given on BBC's Match of the Day, in honour of the most spectacular goal scored that season...
with a tremendous 30-yard strike, timed at 90:08. Liverpool went on to win the match on penalties.
Domestic league
- 1988–89 Football League First Division - LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
vs. ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, 26 May 1989: The final goal in the final minute of the final game of the seasonLiverpool 0–2 Arsenal (26 May 1989)The final match of the 1988–89 English Football League season was contested on 26 May 1989, between Liverpool and Arsenal, at Liverpool's Anfield ground. By sheer coincidence, it was the match between the top two teams in the First Division and the teams were close enough on points for the match to...
won ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
the First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title. Arsenal had to beat championship rivals Liverpool by two clear goals or more to win the title; any other result would mean an eighteenth title for Liverpool. Arsenal, the away team, lead 1–0 at 90 minutes, and in the last minute of injury-time (91:22), Michael Thomas ran through the Liverpool defence and scored a dramatic goal to win the title for the Gunners. This match is often remembered for commentator Brian MooreBrian Moore (commentator)Brian Moore was a British sports commentator.-Early life:Moore was born in Gillingham, Kent and educated at the Cranbrook School, Kent, which was also the school of fellow commentators Peter West and Barry Davies....
's famous phrase "It's up for grabs now!" as Thomas ran through to score.
- 1998–99 Football League Third Division - Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
vs. Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle F.C.Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, 8 May 1999: The final match of the 1998-99 third division season and a notable occurrence of a goalkeeper scoring an important last minute goal. With ten seconds remaining, Carlisle goalkeeper Jimmy GlassJimmy GlassJames "Jimmy" Glass is a former football goalkeeper. Glass is remembered for scoring the last-minute goal which kept Carlisle United in the Football League in 1999...
scored from a corner, keeping Carlisle in business and in the Football LeagueThe Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. It was rated seventh in the Times' "50 Most Important Goals" and 72nd in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
- 2000–01 Fußball-Bundesliga - HamburgHamburger SVHamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
vs. Bayern MunichFC Bayern MunichFC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, 19 May 2001: The final day of the Bundesliga season saw Bayern Munich in the lead to SchalkeFC Schalke 04Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
by three points. Due to their inferior goal difference, Bayern needed at least a draw at their match at Hamburger SVHamburger SVHamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
to secure the championship, while Schalke faced SpVgg UnterhachingSpVgg UnterhachingSpielvereinigung Unterhaching is a German sports club in Unterhaching, a semi-rural municipality on the southern outskirts of the Bavarian capital Munich....
at home and managed to win 5-3. In the 90th minute of the Bayern match, a goal by Sergej BarbarezSergej BarbarezSergej Barbarez is a former football attacking midfielder from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga from 2006 to 2008. He finished his career after the season 2007–08...
put Hamburg 1-0 up and, believing that Schalke had won their first Bundesliga championship for over forty years, Schalke fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate the title even though the match in Hamburg still wasn't over. In the third minute of extra time, Hamburg goalkeeper Mathias Schober - who ironically was on loan from Schalke for the second half of the season - picked up an alleged back pass with his hands and referee Markus MerkMarkus MerkDr. Markus Merk is a former top-level German football referee. He is a six-time winner of the German Referee of the Year Award and the record holder in games refereed in the Bundesliga. In 2005, Merk was awarded the German Bundesverdienstkreuz in recognition of his service to football and his...
awarded an indirect free-kick for Bayern about eight metres from the Hamburg goal. Bayern defender Patrik Andersson shot the ball through the wall of Hamburg defenders into the net making Bayern the league champions for the 17th time in club history. Schalke would later be dubbed 'champion of hearts' due to their close loss of Bundesliga title they believed to have already won.
- 2004–05 Scottish Premier League - MotherwellMotherwell F.C.Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
vs. CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, 25 May 2005: The final day of the Scottish Premier League season saw Celtic and their Old FirmOld FirmThe Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals RangersRangers F.C.Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
battling it out for the league title. Both teams were winning their respective matches; Celtic were 1-0 up against Motherwell at Fir ParkFir ParkFir Park Stadium is a football stadium situated in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.- History :...
whilst Rangers were winning 1-0 against HibernianHibernian F.C.Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
at Easter RoadEaster RoadEaster Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
. As things stood, Celtic would win the SPL title by just two points, but Motherwell striker Scott McDonaldScott McDonaldScott Douglas McDonald is an Australian football player who currently plays as a striker for English Championship side Middlesbrough and the Australian national team. Scott McDonald is of Scottish heritage.-Early career:...
scored an unlikely equaliser in the 88th minute. This meant that Rangers would win the title as long as they beat Hibernian. Then, less than two minutes later, as Celtic pushed forward to try to salvage the title, McDonald was able to score again and give Motherwell a 2-1 win. Rangers hung on to win and were crowned champions, winning by a single point. Ironically, McDonald signed for Celtic two years later and helped them to win the title in the 2007-08 season.
- 2006–07 La Liga - Real ZaragozaReal ZaragozaReal Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
vs. Real MadridReal Madrid C.F.Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, 10 June 2007: In the penultimate match of the season, Real Madrid were second in the table, losing 2-1 against Zaragoza and Barcelona in first, winning 2-1 against EspanyolRCD EspanyolReial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, both in the 88th minute. In a turn of events, Ruud van NistelrooyRuud van NistelrooyRutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooy, , is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Málaga CF in Spain's La Liga. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals...
scored the equaliser at La RomaredaLa RomaredaEstadio de La Romareda is the home stadium of Real Zaragoza, in Zaragoza. It was inaugurated on September 8, 1957, with a game between Real Zaragoza and CA Osasuna . The official capacity is 34,596, with an average attendance of around 30,000 for Real Zaragoza matches.The stadium has gone through...
. 17 seconds later, Raúl TamudoRaúl TamudoRaúl Tamudo Montero is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for Rayo Vallecano as a striker....
also levelled for Espanyol at Camp NouCamp NouCamp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
, claiming the title for Madrid.
- 2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup - Persepolis vs. Sepahan, 17 May 2008: Persepolis won the 2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup in the final game of the season at the Azadi StadiumAzadi StadiumThe Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
after Sepehr HeidariSepehr HeidariSepehr Heidari is an Iranian football defender who currently plays for Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and the Iran national football team. He has a bachelor of Mechanical engineering from Najaf Abad Azad University.-Club career:...
scored a header, timed at 90+6', to give them a 2-1 result against Sepahan. Persepolis needed to win this final game of the season at home to win the title, while eventual runners-up Sepahan only needed to avoid defeat to win the league instead.
- 2009–10 Israeli Premier League2009–10 Israeli Premier LeagueThe 2009–10 Israeli Premier League was the 11th season since its introduction in 1999 and the 68th season of top-tier football in Israel. It began on 22 August 2009 and ended on 15 May 2010 with the last matches of the playoff round....
- Beitar Jerusalem vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv, 15 May 2010: To win the title, Hapoel had to win their final match of the season in the stadium of their great rivals, while Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Haifa F.C.Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
also had to drop points against Bnei Yehuda. Both matches were tied at 1-1 going into stoppage time, but Hapoel's Eran ZahaviEran ZahaviEran Zahavi is an Israeli football midfielder. He currently plays for Serie A club Palermo and Israel national football team.- Hapoel Tel Aviv :...
scored in the 92nd minute to win the match and the title for his team.
- 2011 A-League Grand Final2011 A-League Grand FinalThe 2011 A-League Grand Final was the sixth A-League Grand Final taking place on 13 March 2011 at Suncorp Stadium. It was the final match in the A-League 2010–11 season, played between premiers and runners-up .-The match:...
, 13 March 2011: The game to decide the Australian championsA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
was goalless in the first 90 minutes. In the first half of extra time, the Central Coast MarinersCentral Coast Mariners FCCentral Coast Mariners Football Club is a professional football club based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They participate in the A-League and are one of three teams from the state of New South Wales playing in the competition...
scored two goals to seemingly clinch the title. However, Brisbane Roar scored two goals in three minutes, including one with almost the last kick of the match, to draw level and send the game to penaltiesPenalty shootoutThe shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to penalty shots in that a single player takes one shot on goal...
. Brisbane then went on to win 4-2 on penalties.
- 2010–11 Premier League2010–11 Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
- ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
vs. LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, 17 April 2011: Due to Jamie CarragherJamie CarragherJames Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool...
's concussion injury earlier in the game, there were to be eight minutes of added time. With 90+8' minutes of the game gone, many fans had already left the ground when Arsenal won a penalty for Liverpool's Jay SpearingJay SpearingJay Francis Spearing is an English footballer who plays for Liverpool as a Defensive midfielder. He was originally spotted playing for amateur Wallasey side Greenleas alongside former Liverpool professional Craig Lindfield....
fouled Cesc FabregasCesc FàbregasFrancesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
in the penalty area. Robin van PersieRobin van PersieRobin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
slotted home. However, the game proceeded and on 90+10', Liverpool were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Luis SuárezLuis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
hit the wall and as the ball knocked around in the box, Emmanuel EboueEmmanuel EbouéEmmanuel Eboué is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and Ivory Coast. His natural position is at right back, but he is also used in various other positions. Eboué also holds a Belgian passport.-Early career:...
tripped over Lucas LeivaLucas LeivaLucas Pezzini-Leiva , often known as simply Lucas, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a Defensive midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazilian national side...
to give away another penalty. Dirk KuytDirk KuytDirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
, another Dutch international, slotted home on 90+12'. Kuyt's goal was the latest goal ever scored in the Football LeagueThe Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
or Premier League in 123 years.
International
- 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
quarter-final - NetherlandsNetherlands national football teamThe Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
vs. ArgentinaArgentina national football teamThe Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, 4 July 1998: The quarter-final between Argentina and Netherlands looked to be heading for extra-time until Dennis BergkampDennis BergkampDennis Nicolaas Bergkamp , is a former Dutch professional footballer who is currently the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. At club level he played for Ajax, Internazionale, and Arsenal, and also represented the Netherlands at international level...
netted a 90th minute winner from a 60 yards (54.9 m) pass by Frank de BoerFrank de BoerFranciscus "Frank" de Boer is a Dutch former professional footballer, and the younger twin brother of Ronald de Boer. Since 6 December 2010 he is the Manager of AFC Ajax.-Club career:...
to take the Dutch into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in twenty years.
- 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification2002 FIFA World Cup qualificationA total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....
UEFA Group 92002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification....
- EnglandEngland national football teamThe England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
vs. GreeceGreece national football teamThe Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
, 6 October 2001: David BeckhamDavid BeckhamDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
's 93rd-minute (92:43) free-kick levelled the game at 2–2 and ensured that England qualified for the 2002 World Cup as group winners.
- 2006 FIFA World Cup2006 FIFA World CupThe 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
semi-final: GermanyGermany national football teamThe Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
and ItalyItaly national football teamThe Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, 4 July 2006. The game was even at 0–0 and looked set to be heading to a penalty shootout when, in the last minute of extra-time, Fabio GrossoFabio GrossoFabio Grosso, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. Grosso is primarily a left wingback, but can also play as left back. He is also a free kick, penalty kick and corner kick specialist...
scored for Italy. As Germany pushed for a quick equaliser, they allowed Italy to counter attack, and Alessandro Del PieroAlessandro Del PieroAlessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus, of which he is also club captain....
added a second to give Italy a 2–0 win and send them through the final, and eventual World Cup glory. Italy also won their first knockout-round match against Australia with a last minute penalty from Francesco TottiFrancesco TottiFrancesco Totti, Ufficiale OMRI, is an Italian footballer who is the captain of Serie A club Roma. His primary position is that of a trequartista, though he has also been successfully utilized as a lone striker. Totti has spent his entire career at Roma, is the number-one goalscorer and the most...
.
- UEFA Euro 2008 – TurkeyTurkey national football teamThe Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
: A number of vital last-minute goals defined Turkey's progression through the tournament, with the Turks leading games for only nine total minutes up to the semi-finals. Versus Switzerland in Group AUEFA Euro 2008 Group AGroup A of the 2008 UEFA European Championships is one of four groups competing of nations at UEFA Euro 2008. The group's first round of matches was played on 7 June, with the final round played on 15 June. All six group matches were played at venues in Switzerland, in Basel and Geneva...
, an injury time (92nd) minute goal by Arda TuranArda TuranArda Turan is a Turkish footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid and the Turkish national team, as a left winger. At the age of 22, prior to the 2009–10 season he was made the captain of Galatasaray....
kept the Turks in the tournament. In the subsequent group decider against the Czech Republic, Turkey came back from 2–0 down to win 3–2 with a last minute (89th) winner by Nihat KahveciNihat KahveciNihat Kahveci is a Turkish footballer. Nihat plays as a Forward.-Biography:Nihat's family name, Kahveci, means "coffee maker." Many people in Turkey adopted the name of their profession as their family name in the early 20th century, suggesting that Nihat's ancestors were in the coffee business...
. In the quarter-final match versus CroatiaCroatia national football teamThe Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
, Ivan KlasnićIvan KlasnicIvan Klasnić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. He is a Croatian international. In 2007, Klasnić underwent a kidney transplant, and became the first player to participate in a major tournament after a transplant.-St. Pauli:Klasnić started his...
scored in the last minute of normal extra-time (119th) and looked to have booked Croatia's place in the semi-finalsUEFA Euro 2008 knockout stageThe knockout stage of the 2008 UEFA European Championships began with the quarter-finals on 19 June 2008, and was completed on 29 June 2008 with the final at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna....
but once again with the last kick of added time (123rd), Semih ŞentürkSemih SentürkSemih Şentürk is a Turkish footballer who currently plays for Turkish Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe as a striker, and also the Turkish national team.-Fenerbahçe:...
of Turkey levelled the score at 1–1 to take the game into penalties, which Turkey won 3–1. Ironically, a last minute (90th) goal by Philipp LahmPhilipp LahmPhilipp Lahm is a German footballer who plays for Bayern Munich and Germany. Lahm is also the captain for both the national team and Bayern....
of Germany subsequently eliminated Turkey 3–2 in the semi-final.
- 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification2010 FIFA World Cup qualificationThe qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...
CONCACAF fourth round: United StatesUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
vs Costa RicaCosta Rica national football teamThe Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
, 14 October 2009. On the final day of CONCACAF World Cup2010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifying, Costa Rica needed to win against the United States to qualify (the U.S. had already qualified) and force HondurasHonduras national football teamThe Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
into the CONCACAF-CONMEBOL playoff against UruguayUruguay national football teamThe Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
. Honduras had to win and hope for a United States win or draw to qualify. Honduras won their match against El SalvadorEl Salvador national football teamEl Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
by 1-0; at the same time, the Costa Ricans were winning 2-1. However, referee Benito ArchundiaBenito ArchundiaBenito Armando Archundia Téllez is a retired Mexican football referee. He is known in Mexico as Armando Archundia, but appears as Benito Archundia in FIFA records. He has been a professional referee since 1985 and has had his FIFA referee permission since 1993...
ordered five minutes of stoppage time because Costa Rican manager René SimoesRenê SimõesRené Rodrigues Simões is a Brazilian football head coach and former footballer.- Coaching career :Born in Rio de Janeiro, he guided Jamaica to the World Cup in France in 1998...
, who had been sent off, refused to leave the pitch. The game was delayed while police were called in to escort Simoes off the pitch. At 94:40, Jonathan BornsteinJonathan BornsteinJonathan Rey Bornstein is an American soccer player who currently plays for UANL of the Primera División de México and for the United States national team.-Youth and College:...
scored off of a corner kick for the United States. The game ended 2-2, meaning Honduras qualified on goal difference. Costa Rica, who were twenty seconds away from qualifying, faced Uruguay in the inter-confederation playoff, which Uruguay eventually won.
- 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
Group C2010 FIFA World Cup Group CGroup C of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and ended on 23 June 2010. The group consisted of England, the United States, Algeria, and Slovenia...
: United StatesUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
vs AlgeriaAlgeria national football teamThe Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
, 23 June 2010. The United States needed to win their final Group C match as EnglandEngland national football teamThe England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
were beating SloveniaSlovenia national football teamThe Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
1-0 in the other match. As things stood, England would win the group and Slovenia would go through at the United States' expense, but Landon DonovanLandon DonovanLandon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
slotted the ball home in the first minute of stoppage time to sent the United States to the top of the group, while Slovenia were eliminated.
- 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup2011 FIFA U-17 World CupThe 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the fourteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the eleventh played since the change in age limits from under 16s to Under 17s in 1991. It was held in Mexico with games being played amongst various venues between 18 June and 10 July 2011...
Semi-final: MexicoMexico national under-17 football teamThe Mexico U-17 national football team is one of the younger teams that represents Mexico in football, and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation . A two time FIFA U-17 World Cup champion, the team has enjoyed recent success as it was crowned in the 2005 and 2011 editions of the tournament...
vs Germany, 7 July 2011. Mexico and Germany were tied with only 1 minute left before injury time, Julio GómezJulio Gómez GonzálezJulio Enrique Gómez González is a Mexican footballer who plays for CF Pachuca, on the Primera División Mexicana...
, who earlier in the match collided his head with German forward Samed Yesil, who both missed the ball as Jorge Espericueta curled the ball into the net from a corner, scored the winning goal for Mexico from a corner with a bicycle kick which hit the bottom-right post and went in. With this goal, Mexico went on to beat Germany in the semifinals and clinched the title after beat UruguayUruguay national under-17 football teamUruguay national U-17 football team is the representative of Uruguay within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level.Uruguay has participated in 5 of 12 FIFA U-17 World Cup events.-Group C: -------------Round of 16:----...
in the final.
- 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Quarter-final: United StatesUnited States women's national soccer teamThe United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
vs BrazilBrazil women's national football teamThe Brazil women's national football team represents Brazil in international women's association football. Brazil played their first game on July 22, 1986 against the United States....
, 10 July 2011. Brazil was winning 2 to 1, but in the second minute of injury time Abby WambachAbby WambachMary Abigail "Abby" Wambach is an American professional soccer player, coach and Olympic gold medalist. A four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, she has been a regular on the U.S. women's national team since 2003...
scored to tie up the game 2-2. The United States won the following penalty shootoutPenalty shootoutThe shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to penalty shots in that a single player takes one shot on goal...
. Wambach's goal not only saved the United States from elimination, but also prevented their worst ever finish at the FIFA Women's World CupFIFA Women's World CupThe FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
. The feat was all the more impressive considering that the United States had played half of the match with ten players following the controversial sending off of Rachel BuehlerRachel BuehlerRachel Marie Buehler is an American soccer defender currently playing for the United States women's national soccer team.-College career:...
. Ironically the United States were defeated in the final by JapanJapan women's national football teamThe Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan , is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association . Japan defeated the U.S...
in almost identical fashion, when Homare SawaHomare Sawais a female football player from Japan. She currently plays for INAC Kobe Leonessa in the Nadeshiko League Division 1.- Career :Long considered Japan's finest female footballer, she made her debut in Japan's highest domestic league at age 12. On December 6, 1993, at age 15, she made her Japanese...
scored with three minutes remaining to tie the game at 2-2 and win the game in a penalty shooout for JapanJapan women's national football teamThe Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan , is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association . Japan defeated the U.S...
to win the FIFA Women's World CupFIFA Women's World CupThe FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
for the first time.
- UEFA Euro 2012 qualifyingUEFA Euro 2012 qualifyingThe qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 is a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, to be held in Poland and Ukraine...
- Andrija DelibašićAndrija DelibašicAndrija Delibašić is a Montenegrin footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, as a striker.-Club career:...
scored on 90:15 to equalise 2-2 against England and clinch a playoff spot for MontenegroMontenegroMontenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, in only their second major tournament and first European championship qualification round as a nation.
In fiction
The last-minute goal is often used in fiction due to the dramatic nature and possibility for a cliffhangerCliffhanger
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction...
ending. It was used frequently in the television football drama Dream Team
Dream Team (TV series)
Dream Team is a British television series produced by Hewland International which aired on Sky1 and Sky3 from 1997 to 2007; it chronicled the on-field and off-field affairs of the fictional Harchester United Football Club....
, with the show finishing at the end of its final series on a fictional last-minute goal for Harchester United to win the Premier League. The real-life last-minute goal, scored by Michael Thomas, was used as a plot device in the novel Fever Pitch
Fever Pitch
Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life is the title of a 1992 autobiographical book by British author Nick Hornby. The book is the basis for two films: Fever Pitch was released in 1997, and Fever Pitch in 2005...
by Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby is an English novelist, essayist and screenwriter. He is best known for the novels High Fidelity, About a Boy, and for the football memoir Fever Pitch. His work frequently touches upon music, sport, and the aimless and obsessive natures of his protagonists.-Life and career:Hornby was...
and subsequent films of the same name. In the film Mike Bassett: England Manager
Mike Bassett: England Manager
Mike Bassett: England Manager is a 2001 satirical comedy film directed by Steve Barron, following the fortunes of the manager of Division One football club Norwich City, Mike Bassett, who having led his side to the 'Mr Clutch Cup', is appointed England manager.The film takes the form of a...
, England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
score a last-minute winner against old rivals
Argentina and England football rivalry
The Argentina–England football rivalry is a highly competitive sports rivalry that exists between the national football teams of the two countries, as well as their respective sets of fans...
Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
(which parodies both the Hand of God and Maradona's Goal of the Century which were scored against England) to save Bassett's job. In addition to this, a last-minute goal by Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
allows Bassett's England to qualify for the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
.