Ismaila Sarr, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Patrick Schick: the best halfway line goals

Ismaila Sarr stunned everyone on Monday night with a sensational goal from his own half to open the scoring against West Brom. 

After a headed clearance, Sarr trapped the ball before shifting it out of his feet and, noting Baggies keeper David Button was off his line, struck a perfect lob from inside his own half and over Button’s head into the net. 

The finish was so good that many pundits and fans said afterwards the Championship’s goal of the season award might as well already be given to the Senegal international.  

But it isn’t only Sarr who can summon the spectacular from the halfway line. There have been plenty of jaw-dropping goals from similar range down the years and Sportsmail salutes some of the best here.

Ismaila Sarr (left) scored a wondergoal from his own half in Watford’s 1-1 draw with West Brom

David Beckham (Wimbledon vs MANCHESTER UNITED, 1996)

The halfway line goal that tends to spring to mind is David Beckham’s stunning 60-yard effort at Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 Premier League season.

Beckham, just 21 at the time, announced himself as a truly world class talent when he looked up, saw keeper Neil Sullivan off his line and expertly lobbed him to secure United’s 3-0 win at Selhurst Park.

Beckham was fortunate it hit the net because his manager Alex Ferguson said afterwards: ‘He tried it about 10 minutes before he scored and I said to my assistant Brian Kidd, ‘if he tries that again, he’s off.’

David Beckham celebrates his famous goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996

Beckham announced himself as a world class talent when he netted against Wimbledon

‘When the goal goes in, Kiddo turns to me and says, ‘we’ll have to take him off!”

Beckham has since highlighted the effect that goal had in transforming him into a household name: ‘It changed my life. The ball seemed to be in the air for hours and it all went quiet.

‘Then the ball went in and it just erupted. I was on cloud nine. I just wanted to shake everybody’s hand and be out on the pitch for an hour.’

Patrik Schick (Scotland vs CZECH REPUBLIC, 2021)

Much anticipation awaited Scotland’s first game at a men’s major tournament in 23 years at a boisterous Hampden Park but Patrik Schick had other ideas. 

The Czech forward, who had opened the scoring in the first half, picked up the ball on the half way line after a Jack Hendry shot was blocked.

Patrik Schick’s wonder goal against Scotland was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2021

The Czech striker lobbed Scotland keeper David Marshall to silence the Hampden Park crowd

Schick went on to net five times at Euro 2020, level with Golden Boot winner Cristiano Ronaldo

Without even looking up, his first time shot arrowed over David Marshall in the Scotland net and punctured the carnival atmosphere in Glasgow.

The goal was so good that it was a finalist for the FIFA Puskas Award 2021.

It was also voted Euro 2020 goal of the tournament and the Bayer Leverkusen forward topped the scoring charts for the tournament with five goals, level with Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Kemar Roofe (Standard Liege vs RANGERS, 2020)

Facing a side who hadn’t lost at home in Europe for six years was supposed to be tough but Rangers made things look easy thanks to Kemar Roofe.

Having travelled to Belgium, Steven Gerrard’s side were 1-0 up and under pressure in stoppage time before Roofe picked up the ball midway inside his own half, rode three challenges and caught Standard Liege keeper Arnaud Bodart off his line as he scored from inside his own half. 

The goal was measured at 54.6 yards, at the time the longest distance ever for a goal scored in the Europa League.

It did little to improve Roofe’s popularity in the stadium, with the forward having previously played for Liege’s domestic rivals Anderlecht.

Gerrard was effusive in his praise of Roofe after the game. He said: ‘None of my goals were in that league. I think it was a moment of genius.

‘And it’s probably the best goal I’ve seen live – and I’ve been a professional since 1998. Unbelievable strike and he deserves all the plaudits for it.’

Kemar Roofe scored a screamer against Standard Liege from 54.6 yards in the Europa League

Steven Gerrard hailed Roofe’s stunner and said it was ‘probably the best goal I’ve seen live’

Charlie Adam (Chelsea vs STOKE CITY, 2015)

Any trip to Stamford Bridge is tough, but especially so when Jose Mourinho was in charge of Chelsea – he went 77 games unbeaten there as manager across two spells until he first tasted a home defeat. 

But Stoke City came mighty close to getting something at Mourinho’s fortress thanks to Charlie Adam.

The Scottish midfielder picked up the ball inside his own half, noticed Thibaut Courtois was off his line, and lofted the ball over the Belgian from 65 yards.

Though Courtois managed to sprint back and get a hand to the ball, it was too little, too late.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was off his line and paid the price as the ball sailed in

Chelsea went on to win 2-1 but Adam’s goal was still the main takeaway from the game, with Mourinho saying: ‘It was a fantastic goal, every player in the world would like to score a goal like that.

‘Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi to all these brilliant players. Not all of them did score that goal in their careers.’

Dejan Stankovic (INTER MILAN vs Schalke, 2011)

It was an abysmal night for Inter Milan as they lost 5-2 at home to Schalke in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final despite being reigning champions.

But it had all started so brightly when Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic volleyed them into the lead after only 25 seconds from a ludicrous distance.

Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer lived up to his ‘sweeper keeper’ reputation by coming out bravely to head away a through ball but left his goal vacant. 

Stankovic struck a clean first-time volley from just inside the Schalke half and its perfect trajectory carried the ball home without a single bounce.

Paul Robinson (TOTTENHAM vs Watford, 2007)

It is always an entertaining moment when a keeper scores with Paul Robinson becoming just the third out of six stoppers to net in Premier League history.

His goal for Spurs against the Hornets back in 2007 was from a ridiculous 80 yards as his long hoof forward bounced in front of Ben Foster in the Watford net and over his head.

It was a crucial goal at the time, being the second in Spurs’ 3-1 win on the day which lifted Martin Jol’s side into sixth place .

Robinson was able to strike another blow as well because the two keepers were challenging for the England gloves.

It was a poignant moment for Robinson after he was castigated for an embarrassing Gary Neville own goal for England the previous autumn when the right-back’s backpass bobbled over the Spurs stopper.

However, he was extremely respectful and almost apologetic after scoring. 

He said: ‘It was just one of those things – a freak goal. Out of respect for Ben I didn’t want to run off celebrating looking like I meant it.

‘It was a difficult one; I obviously didn’t mean to do it, and it is about how he bounces back. He has got to be strong, although his defence didn’t help him out.’ 

Paul Robinson (centre) is mobbed after scoring from 80 yards against Watford back in 2007

Robinson had the grace to console opposite number and England rival Ben Foster (left) after

Stefan Ishizaki (Orebro vs ELFSBORG, 2012)

Labelled the ‘best goal ever’ on YouTube and it’s hard to disagree as Swedish midfielder Stefan Ishizaki demonstrated remarkable technique to hit a volley from a ludicrous angle.

When the Orebro keeper cleared the ball into the Elfsborg half and towards the touchline he must have thought he had done his job.

But then Ishizaki stunned everyone, hitting a superb first-time volley from 70 metres that bounced once before hitting the net as the keeper desperately scrambled back towards his line. 

Xabi Alonso (LIVERPOOL vs Newcastle United, and Luton Town vs LIVERPOOL, both 2006)

Xabi Alonso was known for scoring long-range screamers and the perfect examples of that were the Spaniard’s two classics from 2006.

The first came in a breath-taking 5-3 FA Cup win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road after the Reds had gone 3-1 behind despite fielding a near full strength side.

Having recovered to lead 4-3, with Alonso already netting one from 40 yards, Luton had sent everyone forward for a last minute corner, including keeper Marlon Beresford.

Xabi Alonso of Liverpool dribbles past Luton ‘keeper Marlon Beresford inside his own half before letting fly and scoring from 70 yards

As the ball broke, the Spaniard controlled the ball and glided past Beresford before launching a 70-yard effort with his weaker left foot that bounced into the net, to the delight of the travelling fans behind the goal. 

Remarkably, Alonso did something similar against Newcastle at Anfield eight months later.

It was an audacious effort and bamboozled Toon stopper Steve Harper who slipped as he desperately tried to deal with Alonso’s effort. 

‘I was thinking of telling him off when he didn’t pass to Steven Gerrard who had made a good run forward,’ said Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez afterwards.

‘I was really disappointed in him but then, afterwards, I had to say congratulations. He practices it all the time.’ 

Alonso (right) celebrates with Fabio Aurelio after scoring a similar goal later that same year

Wayne Rooney (West Ham vs MANCHESTER UNITED, 2014; EVERTON vs West Ham, 2017; and DC UNITED vs Orlando City, 2019)

Wayne Rooney had a penchant for scoring stunning goals against West Ham.

The first occasion was in March 2014 for Manchester United when he lobbed Adrian from just inside the Hammers’ half.

The ball bounced nicely for England’s record goalscorer after he outmuscled James Tomkins before unleashing a brilliant lob on the half volley that sailed over the West Ham keeper and into the net to help the Red Devils to a 2-0 win.

There were definitely shades of Beckham’s finish 18 years previously and it was touching the former United star was in attendance at Upton Park that day.  

Wayne Rooney hits the shot from the halfway line against West Ham at Upton Park in 2014

The strike on the half-volley was perfectly struck to clear the head of West Ham keeper Adrian

Fast forward three years and Rooney was haunting the Irons again, netting for Everton with a flat halfway line strike that sailed over Joe Hart.

It completed his hat-trick as Everton won 4-0 at Goodison Park in front of incoming manager Sam Allardyce.

‘It was one of the best goals I’ve ever scored,’ Rooney said afterwards. ‘I hit it as well as I’ve ever hit a football. To make it my first Everton hat-trick was special. It was a perfect moment.’

Rooney also scored from halfway for Everton against West Ham at Goodison Park in 2017

It was the perfect way for Rooney to complete his first-ever hat-trick for Everton (pictured)

However, Rooney wasn’t done yet.

In 2019, he repeated the trick a third time while playing for DC United against Orlando City in the MLS. 

As DC cleared the ball, Rooney looked up and hit a scintillating effort first time towards goal and over City goalkeeper Brian Rowe from 60 yards.

It helped to firmly establish the Englishman as a fan favourite, with the former striker now manager of the MLS club. 

Rooney scored an outrageous goal in DC United’s MLS victory against Orlando City in 2019

The former England international unleashed an effort from 60 yards out in the first half

The 33-year-old caught out City goalkeeper Brian Rowe who was well out of his goal (above)

Rivaldo (Atletico Madrid vs BARCELONA, 1998)

A World Cup and Champions League winner, along with a FIFA World Player of the Year, Rivaldo is arguably one of the finest players the sport has ever seen.

The Brazil legend was capable of all sorts of glorious goals but his finish from his own half against Atletico Madrid is right up there. 

The quick-thinking, technique and ability to deal with the pressure from an Atletico player makes this goal even better.

Despite limited backlift and time to line up the effort, Rivaldo’s effort flew in just under the crossbar and was another demonstration of his sheer quality.

Jone Samuelsen (ODD vs Tromso, 2011)

While this may not be the goal from the furthest distance on the list, it is the only one not with someone’s feet – no Jone Samuelsen scored with his head from his own half for Odd! 

With his side 2-1 up, the ball was cleared before a Tromso defender launched it back up field.

However, the clearance flew straight to Samuelsen who headed the ball and sent it all the way into the Tromso net with the keeper upfield chasing an equaliser.

The remarkable header was measured as being from 58.13 metres and was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest headed goal in history.