In football, goals can come from dazzling dribbles, stunning volleys, or precisely executed free kicks. But sometimes, fate takes over—and the result is a goal that seems more about luck than skill. These goals often spark laughter, disbelief, and sometimes even controversy. Whether they were deflections, mis-hits, or total flukes, the following goals are remembered not for their beauty, but for how strangely—and luckily—they happened.
Let’s take a look at some of the luckiest goals ever scored in football history.
List of The Best Goals in Football History
Darren Bent vs. Liverpool (2009)
Perhaps one of the most bizarre goals in Premier League history, Darren Bent scored for Sunderland when his shot bounced off a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool fan. The deflection completely fooled goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and the ball rolled into the net. Despite the obvious interference, the goal was allowed to stand, sparking huge debates about fairness and match officiating.
2. Diego Maradona – “Hand of God” (1986 World Cup)
This goal is arguably the most controversial and famous “lucky” goal ever. In the quarterfinal against England, Maradona jumped for a high ball and punched it into the net with his hand. The referees didn’t see the handball, and the goal stood. Maradona later said it was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” While his second goal in the same match was a masterpiece, the first was pure luck (and trickery).
3. Peter Enckelman’s Own Goal (2002)
In a Premier League match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, defender Olof Mellberg threw the ball back to goalkeeper Peter Enckelman. Somehow, the keeper miscontrolled it, and the ball rolled under his foot into the net. Although replays suggested he may not have touched it—making it legally not a goal—the referee awarded it. It remains one of the strangest and most embarrassing own goals in history.
4. Frank Lampard vs. Germany (2010 World Cup)
While this goal was actually not awarded, it represents how luck and misfortune can flip a match. Lampard’s long-range shot hit the crossbar and clearly bounced behind the goal line, but referees waved play on. Had goal-line technology existed, England would have tied the game at 2–2. Instead, they lost 4–1. Though not a goal, it’s often mentioned as an example of how luck—and bad officiating—can shape football history. Join the winning side of football with https://888starzbd.net/app/
5. Luis Suarez’s Accidental Goal for Barcelona (2017)
During a match against Real Betis, Luis Suarez attempted a through ball that was intercepted and bounced around in the box. The ball ricocheted off multiple players and landed perfectly at Suarez’s feet, allowing him to score with ease. It looked more like pinball than football, but the goal counted—and sometimes, fortune favors the alert.
6. Thierry Henry’s Handball vs. Ireland (2009 Playoff)
In a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff between France and Ireland, Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before setting up the decisive goal. The referee missed the clear handball, and France qualified for the 2010 World Cup. The goal was heavily criticized, and Henry admitted the handball later—but the damage was done. For France, it was a lucky break; for Ireland, heartbreak.
7. Tomas Kuszczak’s Own Goal vs. Blackburn (2011)
While playing for Manchester United, goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak tried to collect a bouncing ball in a harmless situation. However, a teammate’s clearance attempt hit his back, and the ball rolled into his own net. The goal was credited as an own goal and served as another reminder that sometimes, bad luck trumps even the most basic skills.
Conclusion
Football is a game of skill, strategy, and split-second decisions—but luck plays a role too. Whether it’s a deflection, an officiating error, or a wild bounce, these goals show that not everything in football goes according to plan. For the scorers, it’s a stroke of fortune; for the opponents, it’s a moment they’d rather forget. These lucky goals may not make highlight reels for their beauty, but they remain unforgettable moments that remind us why football is the most unpredictable—and beloved—sport in the world.
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