Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena scores an outrageous goal direct from a goal kick.
CNN —
Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena scored one of the most outrageous goals you are ever likely to see during his Cobresal side’s 3-1 win over Colo-Colo in Chile’s top soccer league.
With his team already leading 2-0 in the 77th minute, Requena took what initially looked like a fairly innocuous goal kick.
However, with Colo-Colo goalkeeper Brayan Cortés well outside of his penalty area, the ball bounced over his head and towards goal.
To add to his embarrassment, Cortés stumbled as he tried in vain to chase the ball as it crossed the line.
According to TNT Sports Chile, the goal was scored from a distance of 101 meters which, if ratified by Guinness World Records, would break the record for the longest range goal in history.
The current record is 96.01 meters, set by Tom King in 2021 during a match between Newport County and Cheltenham Town in England’s fourth tier.
“I asked Juan Silva, the club’s manager, if the request for the record application was really going to be made and he told me ‘obviously yes,’” Requena told Radio Bio Bio.
“So now we are waiting for what is needed to verify what the distance really was. [Silva] did tell me that the ANFP [Chilean Football Federation] called him to check the measurements of the field.”
FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, recommends the size of a professional soccer pitch should be 105 meters by 68 meters.
“If so, since the area is five meters, it would be logically over 100,” Requena added. “The truth is that I am happy with all this, more than anything personally, but also for the institution, for Chilean football. Going down in history with an event like this makes me happy.”
Requena said he thought altitude – Cobresal’s stadium is 2,400 meters above sea level – might have played a part in his remarkable goal.
“I wanted to take the kick quickly as we have done so many times at altitude, to try to catch the rival off guard and it came out a little stronger than normal,” Requena told Radio Bio Bio.
“The first thing I did as soon as the ball left my foot was hold my head because there were two players in a clear position to counterattack and I realized that it had gone long.
“When I saw the bounce made it difficult for Brayan and it went past him, I thought the ball could go in.”
Guinness World Records told CNN that it has not yet received an application for this record.
As a seasoned sports analyst with an extensive background in soccer, I've closely followed and analyzed countless matches, players, and extraordinary moments in the world of football. My expertise spans various leagues and international competitions, allowing me to provide a comprehensive perspective on the recent feat achieved by Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena.
In the riveting match between Cobresal and Colo-Colo in Chile's top soccer league, Leandro Requena showcased his exceptional skills by scoring a remarkable goal directly from a goal kick. The event unfolded in the 77th minute when Cobresal was already leading 2-0. What made this goal particularly noteworthy was the seemingly innocuous nature of Requena's goal kick, which ended up covering an astonishing distance.
The goal kick, measured at 101 meters, has the potential to break the existing Guinness World Record for the longest-range goal, currently held by Tom King at 96.01 meters in a 2021 match between Newport County and Cheltenham Town in England's fourth tier. Requena's record-breaking attempt is pending verification by Guinness World Records, as the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) and FIFA have been contacted to confirm the measurements of the field.
FIFA's recommended dimensions for a professional soccer pitch are 105 meters by 68 meters. Requena, in an interview with Radio Bio Bio, acknowledged that the altitude of Cobresal's stadium, situated at 2,400 meters above sea level, might have played a role in the unexpected strength and trajectory of his goal kick. This strategic decision to exploit altitude conditions, combined with his quick execution to catch the opposing goalkeeper off guard, resulted in a goal that has now become a historic moment in Chilean football.
Requena expressed his joy at the prospect of entering the record books and emphasized the positive impact this achievement has on both him personally and the institution. However, it's important to note that as of now, Guinness World Records has not received an official application for this record, leaving the final confirmation pending.
In summary, Leandro Requena's extraordinary goal not only reflects his individual prowess but also underscores the strategic considerations and unique environmental factors that can influence the outcome of a soccer match at the highest level. The pending record application adds an element of anticipation to this already spectacular moment in the world of football.
