What’s the most impressive goal you’ve ever witnessed in person?
It’s a common topic of discussion in any pub gathering centered around the sport we all love. Some supporters are fortunate enough to have seen a legendary player create a moment of brilliance, while others might recall a goal that carries personal significance, like a game-winning goal that secured promotion or a crucial equalizer in a local rivalry.
Johnny Vaughan, a radio personality and devoted Chelsea fan, has been a regular at Stamford Bridge for many years. His all-time favorite goal witnessed live occurred in a match filled with stars – but it wasn’t scored by the most predictable player.
Johnny Vaughan’s favourite live goal
The 2012 Champions League semi-final clash between Chelsea and Barcelona is considered a classic encounter in modern European football.
The Blues were striving for their maiden Champions League title, having previously fallen short in the 2008 final. However, they faced a formidable opponent in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, who had convincingly defeated Manchester United in the final of the preceding season.
A goal from Didier Drogba in the closing moments of the first half at Stamford Bridge provided the Blues with a slender 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg at Camp Nou. However, Sergio Busquets nullified that lead after 35 minutes of the return fixture.
Roberto Di Matteo’s team then faced a deficit in the tie when Andres Iniesta scored two minutes before the break, putting Barcelona ahead 2-1 on aggregate. But there was still one more dramatic moment to come before the interval.
“Ramires’ chipped goal in the 2012 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona,” Vaughan recounts to FourFourTwo when questioned about the greatest live goal he’s ever witnessed.
“I was situated in the third row, close enough to heckle Lionel Messi as he walked by. I managed to secure tickets through Frank Lampard, who is a friend of mine. After Messi’s penalty miss, I taunted him, saying, ‘Barcelona, you couldn’t even finish a cathedral,’ which even drew a chuckle from some of the Barça supporters.
“We had previously visited the city’s incomplete Sagrada Familia, and all I hoped for was for them to fail at completing something, just so I could make that remark. And then he missed the penalty.”
Ramires – who featured on FourFourTwo’s compilation of the best Brazilian players to grace the Premier League – managed to equalize for Chelsea with his goal. This set the stage for Fernando Torres’ memorable goal in stoppage time, which famously left commentator Gary Neville in awe and paved the way for Chelsea to secure their first Champions League title the following month.
Johnny’s podcast, ‘Bloomin’ Legends’, can be found on Global Player and other popular podcast platforms.
