Honestly, football fans are still arguing about it. You’ve probably seen the clip a thousand times by now. November 26, 2023. Goodison Park. It was barely two minutes into the game when Alejandro Garnacho decided to defy physics and score what many now call the greatest goal in Premier League history.
It was loud. Then it was silent.
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The cross from Diogo Dalot was actually heading away from goal. It was a bit overhit, floating toward the back post at a weird angle. Most wingers would have tried to trap it or maybe recycle the ball. Garnacho didn't. He ran away from the goal, adjusted his feet with these tiny, frantic shuffles, and launched himself into the Merseyside air.
That Alejandro Garnacho Bicycle Kick: Breaking Down the Magic
When we talk about the Alejandro Garnacho bicycle kick, we aren't just talking about a lucky strike. This was pure technical filth. At 19 years old, the kid showed the kind of spatial awareness that usually takes a decade to master.
He met the ball at its highest point, roughly 15 yards out.
Think about that for a second. Most overhead kicks happen in the six-yard box where you’re just swinging your leg at a scramble. This was a deliberate, long-range guided missile. He caught it so cleanly with his right foot that the ball didn't just fly; it screamed into the top corner. Jordan Pickford, a world-class keeper, didn't even have a chance. He was basically a spectator with a front-row seat.
Is it better than Rooney’s?
This is the big one. Every Manchester United fan immediately thought of Wayne Rooney against Manchester City in 2011. It’s the law. But if we’re being real—like, truly honest—Garnacho might have edged him out.
- The Contact: Rooney famously "shinned" his. It hit his lower leg and looped in. Garnacho’s was off the laces. Pure.
- The Distance: Garnacho was further out. He had to generate all that power himself while moving away from the target.
- The Angle: Dalot’s cross was actually quite poor. It was behind him. Rooney’s cross from Nani was a bit more "on a plate," even with the deflection.
Gary Neville, who was there for both, said on Sky Sports that he’d never seen anything like it. "I’ve never been in a stadium where I’ve seen an overhead kick as good as that," he admitted. And Roy Keane—who usually hates everything—even called it "absolutely brilliant." That’s basically a Nobel Prize in football terms.
The "Siuuu" and the Haters
Of course, Garnacho had to do the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration. He’s obsessed with CR7. He’s Argentine, yet he chooses Ronaldo over Messi as his idol, which is a level of "I don't care what you think" that I sort of respect.
The Goodison Park crowd was already fuming. Everton had just been hit with a 10-point deduction, and the atmosphere was toxic. Pink "Corrupt" signs were everywhere. Then this teenager from Madrid via Manchester flies through the air and silences 39,000 people. It was a total "villain" moment.
The Physics of the Goal
If you watch the replay in slow motion, you see the exact moment he commits. It’s a split-second decision. He has to calculate the flight of the ball, the speed of the wind, and his own body weight in about 0.5 seconds.
He stayed in the air for what felt like an eternity.
The hang time was insane. Most people fall awkwardly after a bicycle kick—it’s a dangerous move. Garnacho landed, bounced back up, and was already halfway to the corner flag before the ball had even stopped vibrating in the net.
Why it still matters today
We see a lot of "great" goals. We see 30-yard screamers and intricate team moves. But a bicycle kick is different. It’s the ultimate expression of confidence. It’s a player saying, "I am so much better than this moment that I’m going to do something ridiculous."
The Alejandro Garnacho bicycle kick didn't just win Goal of the Season (which it did, obviously). It solidified him as a superstar. It moved him from "promising talent" to "must-watch TV."
People forget that United were struggling for form at the time. Erik ten Hag was under massive pressure. That goal didn't just give them three points; it gave the club a bit of its soul back for a night. It reminded people of the "United Way"—arrogance, flair, and doing the impossible.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're looking to understand why this specific goal ranks so high in the history books, keep these factors in mind for the next time a "lucky" overhead kick happens:
- Look at the feet: Did the player have to "shuffle" backward? If they are moving away from the goal, the difficulty multiplier triples.
- Check the connection: If it hits the shin or the ankle, it's luck. If it's a clean strike off the top of the boot (like Garnacho's), it's elite technique.
- Observe the height: The higher the foot is above the defender's head, the more athletic the feat. Garnacho was practically at eye level with the crossbar.
- Context matters: Scoring this in a 3-0 win at Everton is one thing; doing it in the first two minutes of a hostile away game is another level of mental strength.
You can actually try to study his body positioning if you play the game yourself. Notice how his non-kicking leg acts as a counterbalance. It’s basically gymnastics disguised as a sport. But maybe don't try it in your Sunday league unless you want a trip to the ER.
Garnacho's strike is now the gold standard. Whenever someone scores an overhead now, the first question is always: "Yeah, but was it as good as Garnacho’s?" Usually, the answer is no.