OT - Bale's INSANE goal - even haters must see
I found the Youtube link, but, I'm sure it's on the internet about a billion places:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXxITbYGCbE
This is one of the most incredible goals I've ever seen -- how it develops from start to finish, what he did to score it, the situation (game tied 1-1, five minutes to go), you're going, NO HE WONT NO HE WONT OH WAIT YES HE DID.
For the uninitiated, the backdrop makes it even more impressive. This is the final for Spain's annual cup (equivalent to England's FA Cup), between the two arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Real was missing its top player, Christian Ronaldo (US will see him in Brazil). Bale was the world's most expensive transfer ever; Real bought him 2 years ago from Tottenham Hotspurs for $144M (that's paid to Spurs, not to the player). He dominated the EPL two years ago, thus the huge transfer fee. But he has injury issues and never really lived up to the hype, until recently when he's been on a scoring tear.
So -- hugely important game, huge rivalry, hugely significant player. And it was tied 1-1 with 5 minutes left in regulation. And he came up with THAT. I mean... are you kidding me? How he RAN AROUND a defender. Note how the defender is closer to the ball and takes a straight line; but Bale goes the Great Circle Route, still gets there first by 5 yards, and holds the guy off for 20 yards while walking up to goal. "Excuse me Mr. Goalie, but I gotta put the ball in the net, k, thanks, bye."
He is from Wales (not be participating in the World Cup) so he should be available. I've seen him at White Hart Lane and he is worth the price of admission.
I'm not a soccer "hater." I'm a soccer "don't carer." I'm came in here expecting to see something so awesome it would even cause me to at least emit an ounce positive of positive feeling towards soccer. Alas, no, it didn't. All this clip did was just reaffirm my reasonings for not caring about soccer. I'm sure it's a great sport if you know and love it, but if that play is one that fans of the sport consider amazing, please continue to count me out.
This was a great goal, but hardly one of the best I've ever seen. The defenseman sort of slowed up and didn't think bale was going to go for it, but he did which was really nice by bale. However, the shot was nothing spectacular. The backup goalie let a normal shot in that he should have saved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msTFZ1zrzao
The clip doesn't show it but when the opponent's (especially Chelsea's Drogba) reactions are OMG! and WTF? you know it is a spectacular goal.
I dont think I have ever seen someone overstate a goal more than you did. Bravo!
I logged in just to neg you. Please don't make me do it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ECoR__tJNQ
Surprised no one's posted this one yet. The goal is at 0:45 or something, but you want the reply that's about 1:20. Much more impressive on the replay. Insane? Well, it's got 6.5 million views.
Also, 'cause it's a World Cup year and all,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhfvIRrC8jY
At 1:00.
If someone on here really thinks that this goal is due to the defender being slow and not due to Gareth Bale's pace, you have serious issues and obviously don't follow soccer much. Gareth Bale is quite possibly the fastest player in the world. So anyone trying to make this about the defender being slow is an indictment to the class that Bale is. This wasn't his best goal ever, but under the circumstances, without Ronaldo, it is a great goal.
April 17th, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^
http://balls.ie/football/fastest-football-players/
Bale is definitely one of the fastest especially straight line with few touches. In tight spots, a healthy Messi is the fastest I've seen.
Barca supporter for the last decade+... Bale is an amazing player, pace for days. Loved him when he was with Spurs, not so much now that hes at Madrid simply because hes now a rival player...
Broken down... his first touch is amazing, but incase you don't follow Barca at all, they have a center back crisis... Marc Bartra is a B team level player and is only on the squad because Puyol is leaving, and Pique is out with an injury... beating him off the ball is like running smack about being the skinniest kid in fat camp... not really impressive.
That said, its still an amazing run and a slick nutmeg past Pinto... who I wont even get into, ill just say he would struggle making an MLS team...
April 18th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
He apologized for not being in match shape. Looked like he was running on a bad hammy. Still full props to the speedy and talented Bale. Maybe Shakira would have been a better sub for Pique? Amore experienced guy,Puyol/Alvez, would have tackled Bale at midfield - worth the yellow.