Definition
The striker is through on goal, one on one with the keeper, rounds them and slots the ball home. You fully expect the net to bulge and the striker is already running off to celebrate. It’s not the end of the story though, a defender has raced back and managed to make a last ditch goal line clearance, sliding in to sweep the ball away just before it crosses the line for a goal. Last ditch defending masterclass.
One of the most famous examples of a goal line clearance came in the Manchester City v Liverpool match in 2019. After a mix-up with Ederson in goal, Sadio Mane thought he’d scored only for John Stones to slide in and hook the ball away. The referees watch didn’t buzz and the replays of the goal line technology showed the ball was just 11.2mm away from fully crossing the line. Manchester City won the match 2-1 and the league title from Liverpool by a single point, 98 points to 97.
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