Image via Complex Original
Robin van Persie has scored 202 goals in 431 appearances for club, and another 47 in 91 senior appearances for Holland. He’s won trophies at every stop in his career, and is one of the most lethal strikers in today’s game. RVP can do it with the left or right foot, and as many learned this summer, he’s more than capable of banging in goals with his head. Of course, we’re talking about that miraculous header van Persie scored against the defending World Cup champions, Spain, which signaled their undoing. The goal was a thing of beauty, as RVP held himself onsides with the Spanish back line, and flung his entire body at the ball. Spain’s keeper, Iker Casillas, could do nothing more than be a spectator, just like the rest of us were for one magical moment that felt like an eternity. Today, Robin van Persie turns 31, and in celebration of the Flying Dutchman’s Bday, we’ve decided to take a look back at a few other memorable headers that brought us to our feet. From Zinedine Zidane’s World Cup winning strike in 1998 to Miroslav Klose’s hat trick of headers against Saudi Arabia in 2002, check out The 25 Best Soccer Headers of the Last 25 Years.
Martin Palermo From 40 Meters Out
Date: 10/4/2009
Match: Boca Juniors v. Velez Sarsfield
Competition: 2009-10 Argentine Primera Division
Ground: La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Martin Palermo scored 112 goals in 216 senior team appearances for Boca Juniors in Argentina, but this header he scored at the Bombonera has to come up in any conversation regarding the best headers of the past few decades. Not only does he score from just inside Velez’s half, but as you can see from the scoreline, his improbable header gave Boca the late 3-2 advantage in the match. We just want to be alone with this clip for a while, we’ll understand if you feel a similar type of way.
Robin van Persie Is the Flying Dutchman
Date: 6/13/2014
Match: Spain v. Hollland
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Happy bday, RVP. We all remember this goal from the flying Dutchman at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. The current Manchester United striker did well to stay onsides when the pass comes over the top, and literally throws his whole body into this header. Iker Casillas is frozen in goal, and this header signaled the beginning of the end for the defending world champions.
Jared Borgetti Flicks Mexico in Front Againts Italy
Date: 6/13/2002
Match: Mexico v. Italy
Competition: 2002 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Oita Stadium, Oita, Japan
Jared Borgetti couldn’t make this goal look more casual if he tried. Seriously, how does he get the pace and the angle on this shot with barely a flick of the head? That’s how you know you’re watching one of the best headers of the ball to ever play the game. This match would end in a draw, but it was enough to see Mexico progress to the knockout stages at the 2002 World Cup.
Luis Garcia Scores Moving Away From Goal
Date: 11/1/2005
Match: Livepool v. Anderlecht
Competition: 2005 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Following their European conquest a year earlier, Liverpool finished top of Group G with an undefeated record in the 2005-06 competition. This audacious header from Luis Garcia doubled the Reds’ advantage on the night against Anderlecht, and was voted one of his greatest goals in a Liverpool shirt.
Hernan Crespo Does the Double Against Ajax
Date: 11/12/2002
Match: Ajax v. Inter Milan
Competition: 2002-03 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
Hernan Crespo was one of the greatest headers of the ball in the modern game. His two headers here against Ajax within two minutes of one another secured a victory for Inter in their last group match of the 2002-03 Champions League, as well as progression as group leaders.
Miroslav Klose's Saudi Hat Trick
Date: 6/1/2002
Match: Germany v. Saudi Arabia
Competition: 2002 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
This summer, Miroslav Klose became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with his 16th strike in 24 matches played. And it all began in 2002 with a hat trick of headers against Saudi Arabia. This was his second goal on the night in Japan, and is a textbook example of what makes Klose one of the best pure headers of a ball that we’ve ever seen. Thanks for the memories, Miroslav.
Luis Suarez Stretches From the Edge of the Area
Date: 10/26/2013
Match: Liverpool v. West Brom
Competition: 2013-14 EPL
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England
In total, Luis Suarez scored 82 goals for Liverpool from 2011-2014, and will forever be remembered for his Anfield heroics after this summer’s move to Barcelona. Those heroics were particularly on display last fall against West Brom, when Suarez scored three goals, the second of which was this ridiculous header from the edge of the Albion penalty area.
Alan Shearer's First Champions League Goal
Date: 2/26/2003
Match: Newcastle United v. Bayer Leverkusen
Competition: 2002-03 UEFA Champions League
Ground: St James' Park, Newcastle, England
Alan Shearer was one of the best headers of a ball the English game has seen, and he picked a special moment at the age of 32 to score his first goal in the Champions League. This thunderous header against Bayer Leverkusen sent the St James’ faithful into delirium, and was one of three goals on the night for the Newcastle talisman.
Oliver Bierhoff Sends Germany to the Quarterfinals
Date: 6/29/1998
Match: Germany v. Mexico
Competition: 1998 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France
This towering Oliver Bierhoff header was not only a majestic goal in its own right, but it was the match winner in Germany’s Round of 16 clash with Mexico at the 1998 World Cup. Fun fact: Bierhoff scored the first golden goal in the history of a major international competition, when he helped Germany win the final at the European championship in 1996.
Carles Puyol Ends Germany's World Cup Dream
Date: 7/7/2010
Match: Germany v. Spain
Competition: 2010 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa
With one perfectly placed header, Carles Puyol catapulted himself into the upper echelons of Spanish soccer lore. This 73’ header against Germany broke a 0-0 deadlock in the semifinals at the 2010 World Cup, and propelled Spain to their first World Cup title in team history.
Alan Shearer Opens the Scoring at St James'
Date: 8/23/2003
Match: Newcastle United v. Manchester United
Competition: 2003-04 EPL
Ground: St James' Park, Newcastle, England
Like Andy Gray says, there might be a hint of a push from Alan Shearer on this goal against Manchester United, but you can’t take anything away from the class of this strike. Shearer really had a knack for firing in these thunderous headers, and on this day in 2003, it was United who felt the hammer blow.
Sami Hyypia Starts the Liverpool Comeback in the Quarters
Date: 4/8/2008
Match: Liverpool v. Arsenal
Competition: 2007-08 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Sami Hyypia was a dependable stalwart at Liverpool for a decade from 1999-2009, and of his 22 goals in 318 appearances for the club, this header against Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash in 2008 might be his greatest. 1-1 after the first leg in London, and already down 1-0 at Anfield, Hyypia stepped up and delivered this cracking header to level the score, and jumpstart Liverpool’s 4-2 victory on the night.
Henrik Larsson Nets Twice in Two Minutes
Date: 6/14/2004
Match: Sweden v. Bulgaria
Competition: UEFA Euro 2004
Ground: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Sweden absolutely demolished Bulgaria in their group stage encounter at Euro 2004, scoring five goals and allowing none. The night belonged to Henrik Larsson, though, as he scored twice in two minutes, the first of which was this diving header, upon his return to competitive soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo Grabs an Important Away Goal in Rome
Date: 4/1/2008
Match: Roma v. Manchester United
Competition: 2007-08 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
This diving header from Cristiano Ronaldo began a 2-0 away victory for Manchester United in the first leg of their 2007-08 Champions League quarterfinal clash with Roma, which all but secured their progression to the semis. United would go on to lift the trophy that season, with Ronaldo scoring in the final against Chelsea, as well.
Miroslav Klose Doubles Germany's Advantage Over the Socceroos
Date: 6/13/2010
Match: Germany v. Australia
Competition: 2010 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa
One of the best headers of the ball in the modern era, Miroslav Klose was at it again in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup. This leaping header against Australia during the group stage kickstarted Germany’s campaign, which would end in a narrow 1-0 defeat in the semis to eventual champions, Spain.
Didier Drogba Forces Extra Time in the 2012 UCL Final
Date: 5/19/2012
Match: Chelsea v. Bayern Munnich
Competition: 2011-12 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Allianz Arena, Munich
Arguably the most important goal of Didier Drogba’s career, certainly from a Chelsea standpoint at least, this thunderous header leveled the score against Bayern Munich during the 2012 Champions League final with just a few minutes remaining in regulation. Chelsea would of course go on to win the match on penalties, capturing their first Champions League title in club history.
Martin Skrtel's Thunderbolt at the Kop End
Date: 8/26/2012
Match: Liverpool v. Manchester City
Competition: 2012-13 EPL
Ground: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel showed a real penchant for scoring goals last season during Liverpool’s wild EPL ride, but of his seven tallies, none were better than this piledriver he scored the season prior against Manchester City. Joe Hart has no chance to stop the Slovakian’s header, as perfect contact is probably an understatement here.
Oliver Bierhoff Doesn't Believe in Friendlies
Date: 8/15/2001
Match: Hungary v. Germany
Competition: 2001 International Friendly
Ground: Nepstadion, Budapest, Hungary
Sure, it was only a friendly between Hungary and Germany, but Oliver Bierhoff wasn’t taking his foot off the gas late in this match in 2001. Bierhoff rises highest to meet this cross, and fires into the upper corner past the Hungarian keeper. 5-2 on the night to the Germans, with Bierhoff’s header a nominee for goal of the match.
Jan Koller Puts the Czech Republic Ahead Just Five Minutes in
Date: 6/12/2006
Match: United States v. Czech Republic
Competition: 2006 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
It was a dream start for the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup, thanks to this powerful header from Jan Koller just five minutes into the match against the United States. The Czechs would win the match 3-0 in the Group E opener, although both teams would fail to qualify for the knockout stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo Has a Gift For His Old Club
Date: 2/13/2013
Match: Real Madrid v. Manchester United
Competition: 2012-13 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo came back to haunt the very supporters who used to shower him with adoration, with this header against Manchester United during the first leg of their Round of 16 clash with Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League. Ronaldo hangs in the air as only a player of his physical build can, and pokes this ball past De Gea in goal.
Miroslav Klose Gives Germany the Advantage Against Keane and Co.
Date: 6/5/2002
Match: Germany v. Republic of Ireland
Competition: 2002 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima, Japan
This match would end in a draw thanks to a late Robbie Keane strike, but Miroslav Klose continued his impressive World Cup debut for Germany by scoring yet another superb header. The all-time leading World Cup goalscorer seemingly refused to use his feet to score at the 2002 World Cup, and that’s totally cool with us. A better header of the ball, you’d be hard pressed to find.
Javier Hernandez Freezes the Chelsea Defense
Date: 3/10/2013
Match: Manchester United v. Chelsea
Competition: 2012-13 FA Cup
Ground: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Javier Hernandez isn’t exactly known for scoring with his head, but the Mexican scored a goal of absolute class against Chelsea in the 2012-13 FA Cup. He dummy’s Gary Cahill, letting the ball come to him rather than trying to beat the much taller Cahill in the air, and sends a lofted cross back across the face of goal, that turns Petr Cech into as much of a spectator as the thousands in attendance at the Bridge.
Zinedine Zidane Fires France Towards World Cup Glory
Date: 7/12/1998
Match: Brazil v. France
Competition: 1998 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Zidane might have been the goat, not the good kind, at the 2006 World Cup, but before that he was the hero in his home nation at the 1998 World Cup in France. Zizou scored twice in the first half of the final, both of which were headers from corners, and this dagger of a header opened the scoring just inside of 30 minutes. France defeated Germany 3-0, and the party was on in Paris.
Nemanja Vidic Kickstarted United's UCL Quarterfinal Dream
Date: 4/1/2014
Match: Manchester United v. Bayern Munich
Competition: 2013-14 UEFA Champions League
Ground: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Nemanja Vidic has always been a clinical header of the ball, and this goal against Bayern Munich showcased the Serb’s strength and aerial ability. Unfortunately for Vidic and United, Bayern would eventually come back to seal their progression to the semifinals of the competition.
Patrick Kluivert Forces Extra Time in the Semis
Date: 7/7/1998
Match: Brazil v. Netherlands
Competition: 1998 FIFA World Cup
Ground: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France
Patrick Kluivert kept the Dutch dream alive at the 1998 World Cup with this header against Brazil. Trailing 1-0 with just minutes remaining in the semis, Kluivert climbed highest to nod in the cross and force extra time against Brazil. Ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be for Le Oranje. Brazil won 4-2 on penalties, and advanced to the final against hosts, France.
