Henrik Larsson’s diving header against Bulgaria was voted the Euro 2004 goal of the tournament. Robin van Persie’s similar golazo finished second at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, losing out to eventual Puskas Award winner James Rodriguez’s ridiculous volley against Uruguay.
There are similarities between the two goals, apart from their utter brilliance, that make them a joy to watch over and over again. They were scored at massive international tournaments, they both required precise execution and were completely unexpected.
In both cases the attackers appear to be suspended in mid-air, lying flat in the sky while thumping the ball with their skulls. The keepers remain rooted to the spot, unable to do anything but watch these efforts go flying by. Two differently unfolding circumstances, resulting in two utterly audacious diving headers.
Robin van Persie's 2014 World Cup Diving Header:
LvG tells RvP to GTFO! Photo: @NelsonBussRE | Twitter
Henrik Larsson's EURO 2004 Diving Header:
The past and present of Swedish football. Photo: @paneecalcio | Twitter
While Robin van Persie was sent racing clear of the defense, spotting the keeper off of his line before deciding to chip him with salmon-like dexterity, Larsson had his marker desperately running to his left, attempting to cut off the cross while the keeper remained planted on his line.
In both instances, the forwards could’ve easily taken a touch, controlling the ball before deciding their next move. When watching the play develop, in the case of Larsson, you’re first thought is that he’s almost certainly going to let the ball run across his body, trapping the cross with his right foot.
The precision of the crosses on both goals is pinpoint but the split second adjustments and body control exhibited by both Larsson and van Persie are the subtle marks of world-class talent that may go unnoticed by those uncultivated in the ways of the flying diving header.
Long rage shots, volleys and solo dribbles are all well and good, but there’s something magnificently reckless in these goals.
The Greek myth of Icarus springs to mind: all the world’s viewers playing the role of Icarus’s father, telling the boys not to fly too close to the sun and destroy themselves in failure. "Just trap the ball, damnit!"
Robin van Persie and Henrik Larsson playing soccer. Photo: @ulisse2066 | Twitter
But van Persie and Larsson just won’t listen. They dare to fly towards the heavens, ecstatic with their ability to soar through the atmosphere and smash the ball with their overly-ambitious foreheads.
So let the legends of van Persie and Larsson coexist in harmony, representations of what fantastical imaginations are capable of creating on the soccer pitch.
