Top 10 best goal saves ever in football history: Argentina’s national hero, The day Pele left powerless

Goalkeepers are the loneliest figures on the pitch, often overlooked until a mistake occurs. While the BBC has awarded "Goal of the Season" since 1970, it took until 2022 to officially crown a "Save of the Season" in English football. This highlights a long-standing disparity; a goal is a tangible celebration, whereas a save is a preventative act of defiance. 

However, at Nowgoalpro, we believe a miraculous stop can ignite the same euphoria as a last-minute winner. These split-second reactions, where a stadium holds its breath before erupting in disbelief, are the best goal save ever in football history contenders that deserve immortality. Our list aims to honor these silent heroes and their legendary contributions to the beautiful game.

Ranking of the best goal save ever in football history

10. Mert Gunok vs Austria (Euro 2024) 

In the dying seconds of the Round of 16, Gunok produced a miracle. Christoph Baumgartner’s downward header seemed destined for the net, but Gunok’s 196cm frame exploded into a lateral stretch to claw the ball away. 

Austria manager Ralf Rangnick later joked, "It’s difficult when they have Gordon Banks in goal!" Gunok, a former basketball player, showed elite anticipation on the rain-slicked pitch. Throughout Euro 2024, Gunok was Turkey's backbone, starting 4 matches and making crucial interventions that led them to the Quarter-finals. Currently 35, he continues to excel for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Süper Lig.

9. Iker Casillas vs Netherlands (2010 World Cup Final) 

With the world watching, Arjen Robben broke clear. Casillas gambled, diving left while Robben shot right. Incredibly, Casillas’ trailing foot diverted the ball wide. Spain went on to win 1-0 thanks to Andres Iniesta. 

Casillas later called it "pure luck," but "Saint Iker" was the tournament’s best keeper, keeping 5 clean sheets in 7 games and winning the Golden Glove. In his legendary career at Real Madrid (1999-2015), he made 725 appearances and won 3 Champions Leagues. He earned 167 caps for Spain, winning 2 Euros and 1 World Cup before retiring in 2020 at age 39.

8. Dino Zoff vs Brazil (1982 World Cup) 

The 40-year-old Italian captain produced "La Parata" (The Save) against Oscar’s header in the final moments of a 3-2 thriller. Zoff didn't just stop the ball, he smothered it on the line to prevent any rebound. This victory propelled Italy to the title. 

Zoff played 112 times for Italy and remains the oldest player to win a World Cup. He spent the bulk of his club career at Juventus (1972-1983), making 330 appearances.

7. Gianluigi Buffon vs AC Milan (2003 Champions League Final) 

Buffon’s reaction to Filippo Inzaghi’s point-blank header was breathtaking. Moving the wrong way, he contorted his body to flick the ball around the post. Inzaghi’s disbelief became the iconic image of the save. Despite the 0-0 finish and a loss on penalties, Buffon cemented his status as the "Maradona of Goalkeepers." Across his career, primarily with Juventus (2001-2018, 2019-2021), he made over 1,100 professional appearances and won the 2006 World Cup.

6. David De Gea vs Arsenal (2017 Premier League)

In a 3-2 win for Manchester United, De Gea made a record-equaling 14 saves. The standout was a double stop: diving low to thwart Alexander Lacazette, then instantly springing up to block Alexis Sanchez from 2 yards out. De Gea won the Premier League Golden Glove that season and was named in the FIFPro World XI. Over 12 years at United, he made 545 appearances and kept 190 clean sheets. After a brief hiatus, he recently joined Fiorentina in Serie A in 2024.

5. Gregory Coupet vs Barcelona (2001 Champions League) 

After a lobbed backpass forced him to head the ball against his own crossbar to avoid a foul, Coupet immediately leaped up to stop Rivaldo’s follow-up header. Coupet was a Lyon legend, winning seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles and making 370 appearances. He earned 34 caps for France before retiring in 2011.

4. David Seaman vs Sheffield United (2003 FA Cup Semi-final)

In his 1,000th career appearance at age 39, Seaman reached backward to scoop Paul Peschisolido’s header off the line. It was a display of pure strength and reach. Arsenal won 1-0 and eventually lifted the trophy. Known as "Safe Hands," Seaman made 564 appearances for Arsenal and earned 75 England caps. He retired in 2004 and is now a frequent media commentator and goalkeeping consultant.

3. Jim Montgomery vs Leeds United (1973 FA Cup Final) 

Montgomery produced the greatest double save in FA Cup history, parrying Trevor Cherry’s header before incredibly diverting Peter Lorimer’s follow-up onto the bar. Sunderland, a second-division side at the time, won 1-0 in a historic upset. Montgomery made a record 627 appearances for Sunderland. 

2. Emiliano Martinez vs France (2022 World Cup Final)

In the 123rd minute, Randal Kolo Muani was one-on-one. Martinez spread himself wide, stopping the shot with his left leg. "I closed my eyes and said: Hit me," Martinez recalled. This save allowed Argentina to reach penalties and win the trophy. Martinez won the Golden Glove with 3 clean sheets in 7 matches. 

1. Gordon Banks vs. Brazil (1970 World Cup) 

Facing Pelé, Banks dove to the bottom corner and flicked a bouncing header over the bar. Pelé shouted "Goal!" as he hit it, only to see the ball disappear. It remains the gold standard for goalkeeping. Banks made 73 appearances for England and was instrumental in their 1966 World Cup win. He played over 500 club games for Leicester City and Stoke City. He passed away in 2019, but this moment remains the best goal save ever in football history.

Top 10 greatest saves in history:

Gordon Banks (1970)

Emiliano Martinez (2022)

Jim Montgomery (1973)

David Seaman (2003)

Gregory Coupet (2001)

Gianluigi Buffon (2003)

David De Gea (2017)

Dino Zoff (1982)

Iker Casillas (2010)

Mert Gunok (2024)

While these moments may not always result in an immediate victory, each save ranked by Nowgoalpro.net represents a turning point in footballing lore. These acts of defiance are just as vital as the goals that follow them, and each one could arguably be called the best goal save ever in football history.

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