We all know that glorious feeling of a last minute winner to secure a winning bet and throughout the years I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some spectacular goals to deliver success. Below is my top 5 goals (in terms of sexyness, not profit) that brought a smile to my face and a few extra pounds to my weekly Morrison's shopping trip. Yes my life was always that glamorous. 1) RIVALDO VS VALENCIA, LA LIGA 2001- The goal to end all goals. One of the most beautiful, artistic and genuinely stunning moments of genius ever to grace a football match. A goal that not only secured Rivaldo a stunning hat-trick, but also secured Barcelona's 3.2 victory over rivals Valencia, to seal Champions league qualification in the 90th minute of the last match of the season. More importantly though, a goal that secured 50 sheets from a 2 pound stake on the correct score of 3.2. A glorious moment only to be soured ever so slightly by the fact I was at a friends home the night before we were due to go on holiday together and I politely asked for him to refrain from telling me the score as I planned to watch the match on delay upon my return home. Sadly he could not contain his excitement and told me the result. When I returned home to discover this goal in all it's glory I have to admit to being gutted not to have felt the excitement live but to this day the memory of that goal always makes me smile and remember what a **** my friend was. 2) ZINEDINE ZIDANE - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2002 Yet another classic goal that clinched a truly remarkable personal victory on this famous night in Glasgow. 3 bets for the day - £5 Raul first goal scorer - won, £5 on real to win 2.1 (the goal made it 2.1, albeit after only 45 minutes) and a £2 scorecast on Raul, 2.1. While Zidane's goal turned out to be the match winner, there were still 45 minutes remaining for Iker Casillas to make about 1200 saves in the second half, enabling Real to hold on and secure me over £100 in glory. But what a goal this truly was, on the great man's "weaker foot", he displayed the kind of goal Scottish football fans have longed to see in the famous dump that is Hampden, sadly missing until the emergence of a certain James McFadden... My nerves were shredded on this night, but like Rivaldo's goal, this was a moment that will live long in football folklore and goes down as a true personal favourite. Hashtag legend as those twitters like to say. 3) RADAMEL FALCAO - SUPER CUP FINAL 2012 Not just one goal to make me happy but 3 from the Colombian lothario, Radamel Facao. 3 months earlier I watched the UEFA cup final with multiple shades of envy as my flatmate cleaned up on the Colombians' success. 2 goals including the first had landed my mate a Betfred double delight (Double odds for scoring 2) and while obviously pleased for my friend (not really) I could not believe I had ignored this monster of a player in my bets for the big match and immediately cast my gaze forward to the super cup final. 3 more months but I would not be denied... Chelsea were big favourites for some reason, possibly due to their status as reigning European champions but I could not believe the 8/1 odds on offer for Falcao to score first. £3 on, I sat back in delight as he destroyed Chelsea in a first half display that took the breath away. Not only did he score 3 which brought up Betfred's fabled "HAT-TRICK HERO!"but he managed to hit the woodwork twice! Truly remarkable stuff. My Falcao destiny fulfilled, and it only took 3 months of regret. Shame about Monaco... 4) DARREN PRATLEY - SWANSEA V NOTTS FOREST, PLAYOFF SEMI FINALS 2011 Yes that's right, following on from Rivaldo, Zidane and Falcao we have Darren Pratley...a man who secured a fairly standard bet in the most glorious of circumstances. 92 minutes on the clock, Bo has £3 on 3.1 Swansea at 11/1 odds and with the scores standing at 2.1, my bet looked dead...until, what's this? it's only the Forest goalkeeper coming forward for a last minute corner!!! and the rest as they say, is history. 5) PETER LOVENKRANDS V STUTTGART, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2003 This goal was spectacular in many senses (perhaps less so in it's true quality) in that firstly it was Peter Lovenkrands doing something good for a change. Secondly, it was the winner in one of those famous Ibrox champions league nights that feel like a lifetime ago. Just watch the camera shake and you will get an idea of the atmosphere..and finally most spectacularly for me, as I was sat directly behind the goal to see the Dane's winner to score me a correct result of 2.1 to the mighty Gers. Oh how times change...thanks for the memories boys. 6) RONALDO (THE REAL RONALDO) WORLD CUP 2002, TOP GOALSCORER Quite simply, my favourite player of my generation. The Phenom. The man who made Bobby Robson almost have a heart attack (see video at 10 mins) After 2 years out with 2 cruciate ligament injuries, Ronaldo had been written off by both media and fans alike, and was not expected to be fit for the 2002 World Cup. But this was Ronaldo, and with Brazil handed a group containing heavyweights China and Costa Rica, the stage was set for the greatest to return. Ronaldo was 20/1 for tournament top goalscorer 4 months before the event had even begun. This turned out to be one of my favourite bets of all time. £10 on at 20/1, and 8 goals later, Ronaldo was back. Not the same pace but an extraordinary ability to finish. A true legend as illustrated in this nice little documentary. Remember Cristiano, he was the REAL RONALDO. Comments are closed.
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