Zlatan Ibrahimovic, celebrates after scoring to bring the score to 4-2 goal against England during their friendly soccer match at the new national soccer stadium 'Friends Arena' in Stockholm, Sweden, Wednesday Nov. 14, 2012. (AP Photo / Fredrik Sandberg, SCANPIX) SWEDEN OUT
November 15, 2012 - 6:29 AM
LONDON - Ibracadabra. Ibrahimagique. Goal from the Gods.
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the toast of the football world — and newspaper headlines — on Thursday after scoring with a magical bicycle kick from 30 yards out in a friendly match against England.
The debate is on: Was it the greatest goal of the year? Of this century? Of all time?
Ibrahimovic's acrobatic strike certainly ranks alongside some of the very best — Diego Maradona's weaving, solo run against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals; Marco van Basten's volley in the 1988 European Championship final; Brazil's last goal in the 1970 World Cup final, finished off by Carlos Alberto Pereira.
Ironically, Ibrahimovic's goal came just hours after FIFA announced its candidates for the 10 best goals of 2012.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012