In football, few moments grab attention like a goal scored straight from a corner kick. These feats demand skill, precision, and often a dash of luck. They’re rare, special, and stick in the memory long after the match ends. For UK football fans, who live and breathe the game, these goals carry a unique magic.
From Kroos’s cunning to Stanislas’s windy wonder, these five goals highlight individual brilliance and unforgettable drama. They’re the kind of moments that keep football fans hooked on the game—proof that football’s beauty lies in its surprises and the players who make them happen. Here, we dive into five standout corner kick goals, each tied to a player who turned a set piece into a piece of history.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos, the German midfielder, has built a career on sharp passing and cool-headed play. In January 2020, he showed his clever side during the Spanish Supercopa semi-final against Valencia.
As Valencia’s goalkeeper, Jaume Doménech, argued with the referee, Kroos saw his chance. He took a swift corner, curling the ball with pinpoint accuracy to the near post. Doménech scrambled back, but the ball was already in the net. This sharp-thinking strike helped Real Madrid march to the title and added another layer to Kroos’s reputation for clutch moments.
David Beckham (LA Galaxy)
David Beckham needs no introduction for UK fans—an England icon famed for his dead-ball wizardry. In 2008, playing for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, he faced Chicago Fire. From the corner, Beckham whipped the ball hard towards the near post.
It cut through a packed box, past flailing defenders, and into the goal before the keeper could react. This goal underlined why Beckham’s technique made him a household name, proving his set-piece skill could shine anywhere, even across the Atlantic.
Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s legendary French striker, thrilled Premier League crowds for years. By 2012, he was with New York Red Bulls in the MLS, facing Columbus Crew. Taking a corner, Henry bent the ball with venom towards the far post. It swerved, struck the woodwork, and bounced in, leaving the goalkeeper flat-footed.
For UK fans who adored his Arsenal days, this goal was a reminder of Henry’s knack for the spectacular, showing he still had that spark late in his career.
Ronaldinho (Flamengo)
Ronaldinho, the Brazilian genius, brought joy to football with his flair. In 2011, while at Flamengo, he faced Avaí in Brazil’s top league. From a corner, he aimed straight for goal with bold intent. The ball zipped to the near post, dodging a defender stationed there, and nestled into the net. Even with a man on the line, Ronaldinho’s precision won out. UK fans, who loved his Barcelona brilliance, would appreciate this as a classic display of his fearless creativity.
Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth)
Junior Stanislas, an English winger, might not match the global fame of others here, but his moment for Bournemouth against Manchester United in 2015 resonates with UK fans. On a gusty south coast day, he took a corner with the wind at his back.
The ball curled sharply, aided by the breeze, and sailed past David De Gea and Anthony Martial’s desperate efforts on the line. It sealed a famous win for Bournemouth over a giant, proving conditions—and a bit of craft—can turn a corner into a winner.
