In football, which term describes a goal scored directly from a corner?
VerifiedAn Olimpico is a rare and spectacular goal scored directly from a corner kick without any other player touching the ball. This means the ball travels from the corner flag straight into the goal, curving through the air and beating both defenders and the goalkeeper.
The term gets its name from a historic goal scored by Cesáreo Onzari of Argentina against Uruguay at the Estadio Sportivo Barracas in Buenos Aires on October 2, 1924. This goal was particularly significant because Uruguay had just won the Olympic gold medal in football at the 1924 Paris Olympics, and Argentina wanted to prove they could compete with the Olympic champions.
Scoring an Olimpico requires exceptional skill and technique. The player must generate the right amount of curve, power, and precision to bend the ball around defenders and into the goal. Factors like wind conditions, the angle of the corner, and the positioning of players in the penalty area all play crucial roles in successfully executing this type of goal.
Some famous players have managed to score Olimpicos in their careers, including Juan Román Riquelme, Ricardo Quaresma, and more recently, players like Dimitri Payet and Mahrez have achieved this feat in top-level football. While it's more common to see Olimpicos in women's football due to different goalkeeping styles and defensive positioning, it remains a rare occurrence in men's professional football.
Understanding football terminology like "Olimpico" helps students appreciate the rich history and technical aspects of the sport. It shows how specific moments in football history can create lasting terms that are used worldwide to describe similar achievements on the football pitch.
