Arsenal thoroughly demolished FC Porto in Champions League action on Wednesday, posting a 5-0 victory on the strength of a Nicklas Bendtner hat-trick, but the moment of the match came when Samir Nasri danced through Porto's defense before blasting home a goal-of-the-year candidate.
Here is Nasri's wonder goal:
If you didn't see Arsenal's romp, you can see all five Arsenal goals, as well as a sharper look at the Nasri goal, after the jump:
What did you think of Nasri's goal? Best goal you've seen in a long time? Think Arsenal can challenge for the Champions League title?
Share your thoughts below.
Well said, Josh. I totally agree.
I personally think that Robben’s goal is more important than Nasri’s goal. I definitely agree Robben’s goal was brilliant.
However, since Preki practically made a career out playing on the right, cutting the ball inside to his left foot and curling the ball into the back upper 90, I have a hard time thinking Robben’s goal was at the same “one-of-a-kind” wonder goal level as turning 3 defenders inside out TWICE then lashing the ball in off the back post from an inconceivable angle.
Jaw dropping close control, acceleration and innovation by Nasri.
i prefer Robben’s goal. however, both are sweet.
Well said, Wally. Nasri forced the defenders into giving him the time and space he needed, and he did it with a VERY narrow window in which to put the ball. World-class run and goal, that.
As a former defender in the professional ranks, I can say that Nasri’s goal was absolutely stunning. The reason the trio of defenders around Nasri looked a bit confused was because of his movement and the fact that he was in the box. Being overly aggressive could have led to a penalty and at the same time, given Nasri’s positioning, a pass was the most likely outcome. Nasri completely deceived the defenders by holding the ball and attacking.
As for Robben…great shot. However, he took a handful of strikes from that range with each ending up in the bleachers. On one of the occasions, he had 2 outlets to use with one being a potential through ball to goal. Robben, by his off the field antics and playing style, has always seemed a bit selfish for my liking.
Robben’s goal was way more important than this goal, but both goals are amazing in their own right.
Robben’s goal was a once in a lifetime strike for most players. Just like Rosicky’s goal against the US, Toluca’s second goal last night, and pretty much every free kick Drogba or C. Ronaldo scores. The connection between ball and foot has to be perfect to get that knuckleball. Adding in the factor that he scored 72 seconds after Fiorentina scored a beautiful goal themselves makes the goal more amazing. Rating: 10
Nasri’s goal is reminiscent of Maradona, and even his own Gunner teammate Cesc from earlier in the year. Fantastic individual effort and footwork. These defenders aren’t slouches. Just like Shaun White pulling off the double mctwist with ease, and a 40 year old man with a Budweiser beer belly saying “I could do that”, Nasri made the run look too easy. The defenders looked like they stood there because they WERE standing there. Their legs were locked up, frozen in time from the mesmerizing footwork of Nasri. Rating: 10
Hey Ives,
How about some discussion or highlights of the Bayern-Fiorentina game too? That game was every bit as exciting as the Arsenal game. In fact, it was probably more exciting given that it wasn’t just one team running all over the other. I’d love to know what your thoughts on the game were…
Robben’s goal came less than 1 minute after Fiorentina had taken the lead. It was more important than Nasri’s (IMHO) because it tied the match, and provided the much-needed extra away-goal. Also, it was a thing of beauty…so if you haven’t see it yet, you should check it out.
Pure class.
How many players have the confidence to take not one but THREE defenders on? Nasri had the ball at his feet and could clearly see three defenders stacked up in a perfect defensive scheme. Yet somehow he was able to weave through two and turn the third inside out, THEN beat the keeper from a tight angle.
Absolutely amazing.
Robben’s goal was clutch, but this goal was mesmerizing and breath taking.
Thank you, Ives.
As I said yesterday:
“Caught a little bit of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with FC Porto and was rewarded with one of the most stunning displays of skill, vision, and sheer genius I’ve ever seen on the pitch.”
It is a goal of the year candidate and probably ranks among the goals of the decade.
wow, only this crew could turn a day with two GOTY candidates into an argument.
Good day for Champions League football.
Hey, even including Columbus’ neat comeback.
Ummm. that defense did everything it could, one even tried a slide tackle from behind last ditch and missed everything…i think they all missed a few times, because he jooked em, real good, which is why it is on this site, under the headline “Nasri’s Wonder Goal.”
Whenever you use that language, I think of Setanta Sports
LMFAO
No – QUADRUPLE amen to that!
AMEN to that!
robbens goal is far and above better, fiorentina scored about 2 minutes before robben scored this goal where he cut in front of a player going inside and then dipped around another player and unleashed a world class finish. nasri dips around 3 defenders in the box which is more of a testiment to the lack of defending than anything else, its a 60 something minute goal to kill off the tie but porto was just beginning to throw players forward with little regard while fiorentina was just starting to pack the back and attempting to seal off the tie
Samir is just a little beast with the ball at his feet. Not even Gourcuff can compare with him technically. If Wenger can find a way to play both he and Fabregas in the center, Arsenal would have an added element. More Nasri, less Denilson…Robben’s goal was a great shot, but c’mon, it’s not better than Nasri’s. Even after bamboozling three defenders, Nasri still had to beat the goalie at a difficult angle.
Anyone know where this Robben goal is posted?
except he doesn’t sound smart. fischy says the defender “only takes off in a full sprint when Nasri passes him, and makes it worse by backing off when Nasri fakes a move towards the top of the box”
1. defenders don’t break into sprints when the offensive player is still in front of them.
2.fishchy is critical of the defender for “backing off” when Nasri faked..here’s the thing, nasri’s fake was nasty. it almost seems that fischy’s brain is telling him that the fact that a player bites on a fake means he must have defended poorly.
I think it’s more of a jab at Domenech and his astrologically based lineup choices.
Correct … In the context of the match, Nasri’s goal essentially killed the tie (and Eboue’s a minute later buried it).
i love robben and his skill, but to say his goal was better? Both shots are very very difficult to make, but you have to give nasri credit for absolutely schooling three dudes before putting in a very tight angled shot. I still think robben is the better player though!
GO ARSENAL! And thanks Ives, people who hate on this goal just do not know how hard is is the pull this off with s**t defenders, let alone top-level professional ones.
this is the year i can feel it
I’m so with Ives on this – any remotely (and to be sure, mindlessly) critical comments here are so off base as to call into question both sanity and football passion.
When Arsenal is playing well, they reach a level of attractive football that only Spain, Barcelona, and Brazil do.
Ives–I have started enjoying this website a lot more since you started addressing the ridiculous comments that occasionally pop up. I am not sure you are always right, but your parentheticals are refreshing.
nice goal but not even close to robbens today
Footy at it’s finest!! Tremendous finish. Only thing I could ask for on the video is an inset view of Wenger on the goal.
If only Nasri could channel this.. I thought we’d see a lot more when he came to Arsenal, don’t know if he’s ready to take over for Fabregas just yet, (if he’s sold), maybe one more year till he’s world class… And for all the douchebags who are talking about the defending.. Really??? All 3 guys in a quarterfinal champions league game are terrible?? Or maybe just one ridiculously talented french north african just took them to school. Which explanation is more plausible?? I think the latter
Robben’s was better.
The goal was very classy yes. But one of the Porto defenders on the play, #10, is built like Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala; a beer keg on legs. Did he eat the manager’s children? Is that how he gets on the field?
Amen Ives
I’m pretty sure the second Bendtner goal put them up on goal differential.
It’s a tie, for me, man of the match between Arshavin and Nasri. I’d give the slight edge to Nasri because of the goal, but Arshavin had 2 assists and was directly involved in another. He abused Porto’s poor RB. The HD on comcast sportsnet (sp) on direcTV was amazing! It was much much better than FSC’s HD.
the nasri goal put arsenal ahead on goal differential and was just obejctively, when you look at the dribble and the finish, about as complete and fantastic a goal as can be struck. I wonder about folks who can come up with something negative to say about thing of beauty like that. I haven’t seen robben’s goal, so I can’t be sure that you’re wrong. but I do have a distinct impression you’re a smug and unlikeable person who tries to diminish the accomplishments of others.
Nasri not Nadri my b
Arshavin had some pretty sweet plays to set up two goals, that dribble and cross on the second goal was almost as nice as Nadri’s. Having only seen the highlights looked like Arsenal played a pretty match, I guess the five goals make it look pretty too.
It was an impressive bit of skill, but it highlights why defensive players can’t take a second off. Watch the left wing, Meireles and how hesitant he is to remain in the play — to stay between Nasri and the goal. He only takes off in a full sprint when Nasri passes him, and makes it worse by backing off when Nasri fakes a move up towards the top of the box. That leaves Nasri with just the defender to get around. Yeah, at some point, your teammates need to do their job, too — but if Meireles had stepped in behind Nasri when he made that feint north, he could have blocked the move up the field.
(SBI-ZZZZZZ, you’ve got way too much time on your hands Fischy. I’m pretty sure you could dissect a majority of goals scored in open play and point to some player who could have kept the goal from happening by doing something different at some point, but why bother? What’s the point? There is none really, well other than to try and sound smart. If you can’t appreciate the beauty of that goal without trying to point blame somewhere and diminish the value of it, then why even watch soccer? Jeez.
No intention to take anything away from Nasri…it was really a fine play but Porto defense just kinda stood there.
But again, superb footwork and ball control by Nasri. The shot was world class too.
(SBI-There are few things more annoying than the seemingly mandatory random comment from someone who feels the need to point out how bad defenders are on truly amazing goals. JC, you don’t “intend” to take anything away from Nasri, but that’s exactly what you do with your comment.
The Porto defenders hardly “stand there”, they try to keep up with Nasri but his quickness and ball control is too tough for them to keep up with. Give the man credit.)
how can you say robbens goal was much more important? nasri’s goal effectively killed porto off, I’d say that’s quite important.
also, we shouldn’t compare the two, as they are very different goals requiring the same level of insane talent to pull off.
for some people life is only about national team play, I guess.
robbens goal today was in a different class and of much more importance
Meh…he’ll still sit on the bench for Domenech this summer. His stars are not in alignment.
Arsenal were killing it today. I was hoping Porto would put up more of a fight, but damn near everyone was on fire today. Sick, imaginative football all around. A joy to watch.
This goal has been banned in Portugal and five other countries.
damn. niiice!
ewwwwww!
Was that Andy Gray doing the colour? “Top drawer, son, absolutely top drawer.” No doubt.
Gotta love that slow mo with the crowd going insane. Fine stuff.
pretty damn impressive.