Why is a goal scored directly from a corner called “Olimpico”?

In the space of seven days, towards the end of 2024, two Premier League players performed a rarely seen move: scoring directly from a corner.

First of all, Son Heung-min confirmed Tottenham Hotspur progress to the EFL Cup semi-finals against Manchester United on December 19 with his free kick.

Son’s goal against Man Utd

Then a week later against the same opponents, Matheus Cunha I repeated the trick to Wolverhampton Wanderersscoring the opener in a 2-0 victory, earning the Brazilian a nomination for December’s World Cup. Guinness Premier League Goal of the Month.

These goals were called “Olimpicos”, but where did this terminology come from?

Cunha’s goal against Man Utd

Origins of the Olympic

The term “Olimpico” comes from the first goal scored directly from a corner 100 years ago, on the international stage when Argentina faced Uruguay.

Cesareo Onzari scored, but unlike Panenka – the chipped penalty named after Czech player Antonin Panenka – the Argentine did not get the credit.

As Onzari scored the goal against the reigning Olympic champions, the “Gol Olimpico” was born, although the goal was not scored during the Games but in a friendly match.

There was much debate at the time about the validity of this goal, but football’s rule-making body, the IFAB, had given the green light a few months earlier to allow such strikes arrested.

Other Premier League “Olimpicos”

In over 30 years of the Premier League, only 19 ‘Olimpico’ goals have been scored – and one player has scored two!

Ashley Westwood achieved the feat, twice in 2019 and 2020 against Liverpool at Anfield then against Southampton in Sainte-Marie.

Each Premier League “Olimpico”

Eight months before Cunha’s match against Man Utd, James Ward Prowse scandalous goal at the end of the match directly from a corner, assisted West Ham United to a 2-1 comeback victory against Wolves in April 2024.

Others who score in this manner include EvertonIt is Dwight McNeil, Villa Aston midfielder Douglas LuizWest Bromwich Albion Matthew Pereira and that of Watford Ben Watson.