In football, goals win matches, but impossible saves win hearts. Goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes, standing between glory and defeat. Sometimes, they pull off saves that defy physics, instinct, and belief, saves that etch their names into history. Here’s a countdown of the 7 most impossible saves ever made by goalkeepers.
1. Gordon Banks vs Pelé (1970 World Cup, England vs Brazil):
In one of football’s most iconic moments, Gordon Banks made what many call the greatest save of all time during the 1970 World Cup clash between England and Brazil. Arguably the most iconic save in football history. Pelé’s bullet header seemed destined for the bottom corner, but Gordon Banks dived low, twisted mid-air, and flicked it over the bar with a single outstretched hand.
Pelé powered a downward header from close range, certain it would result in a goal. But Banks, seemingly out of reach, reacted with lightning reflexes. Diving low to his right, he twisted mid-air and, with his right hand, flicked the ball over the bar. Even Pelé stood stunned. The save defied logic, timing, and physics, and remains an enduring symbol of goalkeeping brilliance and athletic genius.
2. David De Gea vs Sevilla (2017 UEFA Champions League):
In the 2017 UEFA Champions League clash between Manchester United and Sevilla, David De Gea produced one of the most astonishing saves in modern football. In a one-on-one, Sevilla’s Luis Muriel unleashed a close-range rocket. De Gea exploded to his right and clawed the ball away with a single-handed reaction save.
Just before halftime, Luis Muriel connected with a powerful header from close range. The ball seemed destined for the top corner, but De Gea reacted with supernatural speed. Launching himself to the right, he extended his arm and tipped the ball over the bar with a single hand. The sheer reflex, precision, and strength required made it an impossible save. Even Muriel applauded. It was a defining moment in De Gea’s goalkeeping legacy.
3. Iker Casillas vs Robben (2010 World Cup Final, Spain vs Netherlands):
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and the Netherlands, Iker Casillas delivered a legendary save that helped secure Spain’s first-ever World Cup title. With the score at 0-0, Arjen Robben burst through on goal. Casillas stayed calm, timed his movement perfectly, and stuck out a leg to deny what looked like a certain goal.
In the 62nd minute, Arjen Robben broke through Spain’s defense for a one-on-one with Casillas. As Robben unleashed a low, clinical shot toward the far post, Casillas stayed calm and extended his right foot to deflect the ball with pinpoint precision. It was a breathtaking reaction under immense pressure. The save kept the game level at 0-0, allowing Spain to eventually win in extra time. Casillas’ moment of brilliance changed football history forever.
4. Keylor Navas vs Barcelona (2017 La Liga, Real Madrid vs Barcelona):
In the fiercely contested 2017 El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Keylor Navas pulled off a save that stunned the football world. Lionel Messi, known for his precision, curled a powerful left-footed shot toward the top corner. Navas, with split-second reaction, leapt acrobatically across the goal, stretching to full length, and managed to get his fingertips to the ball, pushing it wide.
The save combined perfect positioning, anticipation, and sheer athleticism. With the match finely balanced, this moment preserved Madrid’s position and showcased Navas’s elite shot-stopping ability. It remains one of the greatest saves in El Clásico history.
5. Manuel Neuer vs Poland (Euro 2016):
During a tense group-stage match at Euro 2016 between Germany and Poland, Manuel Neuer made an astonishing save that highlighted his world-class reflexes. Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik received a low cross and, from just a few yards out, directed a sharp shot toward goal. With little time to react, Neuer instinctively dropped low and blocked the effort with an outstretched leg.
The ball had pace and precision, but Neuer’s positioning and reaction were flawless. The save preserved a 0-0 draw and showcased why Neuer is considered one of the greatest modern goalkeepers, combining agility, intelligence, and composure under pressure.
6. Alisson Becker vs Napoli (2018 UCL Group Stage):
In a must-win UEFA Champions League group stage match in 2018, Alisson Becker made a season-defining save that kept Liverpool’s campaign alive. In stoppage time, Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik found himself unmarked just six yards from goal. As the ball came to him, he struck a powerful low shot seemingly destined to score.
But Alisson charged forward, stayed big, and made a miraculous block with his body. It was a split-second reaction under immense pressure. That save preserved Liverpool’s 1-0 lead, sent them through to the knockout stage, and ultimately paved the way for their Champions League triumph later that season.
7. Gianluigi Buffon vs Zidane (2006 World Cup Final, Italy vs France):
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and France, Gianluigi Buffon produced an extraordinary save that proved crucial to Italy’s triumph. In the first half of extra time, Zinedine Zidane rose to meet a cross and powered a looping header toward the top corner. Buffon, perfectly positioned yet under immense pressure, leapt high and backward, tipping the ball just over the crossbar with his fingertips.
The save required impeccable timing, strength, and concentration. In a match destined for penalties, Buffon’s moment of brilliance kept Italy alive and was a defining moment in one of football’s most iconic finals.