Players Who Found the Net Directly from Corner Kicks
Argentina’s Cesáreo Onzari recorded the first goal ever scored directly from a corner on October 2, 1924.
Onzari accomplished this feat in a friendly match against Uruguay in Buenos Aires, where Argentina triumphed 2-1.
At that time, Uruguay were the reigning Olympic champions in football, which led to this remarkable play being dubbed a gol olímpico—commonly known in English as an “Olympic goal.”
Fast forward a century, and such goals remain a relatively rare occurrence. Here’s a look at some of the men’s players who’ve successfully scored directly from corners…
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
During a League Cup encounter in north London, Son Heung-min rushed to take a corner for Tottenham as Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez pressured him.
Instead of wasting time, the South Korean produced an incredible moment, curling the corner kick over Altay Bayındır and into the goal, putting Spurs up 4-2. The Turkish goalkeeper argued he was obstructed by Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, but his excuses fell short, as Son’s spectacular play allowed Ange Postecoglou’s side to secure a 4-3 victory in a thrilling match.
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Christian Pulisic set the tone for AC Milan’s 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League in October 2024 by scoring the opening goal.
His corner kick from the right side sailed untouched and nestled into the net at the back post, a moment goalkeeper Simon Mignolet surely did not want to relive.
Diego Forlán (Internacional)
Diego Forlán, approaching the twilight of his career, scored from a corner kick in a thrilling 3-2 victory for Internacional against Fluminense in Brazil’s premier league in July 2013.
The former Uruguay international curled a right-footed shot that the goalkeeper should have likely stopped, but it became a memorable winner for the Porto Alegre team.
Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth)
Using the swirling winds on the south coast to his advantage, Junior Stanislas delivered a wicked shot straight from a corner, scoring against Manchester United in December 2015.
His effort left David De Gea scrambling on the line, resulting in a collision with his teammate Anthony Martial in a futile attempt to prevent Stanislas’s goal during Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory.
Angel Di María (PSG & Benfica)
Ángel Di María executed a remarkable corner take for Paris Saint-Germain against Nîmes in September, curling a left-footed shot inside the near post during a Ligue 1 match.
The Argentine player also added another direct corner in a December 2023 Champions League clash, scoring for Benfica against Red Bull Salzburg as his kick slipped through a crowd of bodies, tricking the goalkeeper.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah has netted over 50 international goals for Egypt, with one of those coming directly from a corner.
In an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eswatini in October 2018, Salah took advantage of the goalkeeper’s mispositioning to curl in a fantastic shot, helping his team to a 4-1 victory.
Steve Staunton (Republic of Ireland)
Steve Staunton managed to net two goals directly from corners during his career, both coming in international matches.
One remarkable instance was during a 2-0 victory over Portugal in 1992, while another was a low shot that escaped all defenders in a 3-0 triumph against Northern Ireland in March 1993.
Ronaldinho (Flamengo)
Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldinho produced a number of extraordinary goals, including one scored directly from a corner.
This moment occurred during his time at Flamengo in an August 2011 match against Avaí, where the former Barcelona star bent a right-footed shot into the net just inside the near post, evading a defender positioned to block.
James Ward-Prowse (West Ham)
A set-piece expert, James Ward-Prowse dedicated over a decade to Southampton before joining West Ham in 2023 and scored directly from a corner to secure a 2-1 victory over Wolves in April 2024.
With the match tied at 1-1 in a Premier League encounter at Molineux and only six minutes left on the clock, Ward-Prowse perfectly placed a corner that went in at the back post, sealing the win for the Hammers.
Roberto Carlos (Corinthians)
Known for his stunning left-footed goals, Roberto Carlos scored a memorable one during his later years at São Paulo club Corinthians.
In a January 2011 match against Portuguesa, the former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back capitalized on the goalkeeper’s distraction, curling a powerful low shot off his left foot directly into the net from a corner.
David Beckham (LA Galaxy & Preston North End)
A set-piece maestro, David Beckham consistently dazzled with his precise right-footed deliveries throughout his career.
During his time with LA Galaxy, Beckham netted two goals directly from corners, including a low curling shot against Chicago Fire that bounced before rolling past the goalkeeper and defenders and another that went inside the near post against El Salvador’s Isidro Metapán. Earlier in his career, he scored a corner goal while on loan at Preston North End against Doncaster Rovers in March 1995.
Charlie Tully (Celtic & Northern Ireland)
In February 1953, Charlie Tully achieved a remarkable feat by scoring directly from a corner for Celtic during an encounter in the Scottish Cup against Falkirk. After the referee asked him to take the kick again, claiming the ball had been placed outside of the arc, he carefully re-positioned it before netting once more.
Belfast-born Tully also scored from a corner in a match for Northern Ireland against England at Windsor Park in October 1952.
Álvaro Recoba (Inter & Nacional)
Álvaro Recoba proved to be effective from corners throughout his career, netting six goals directly from such attempts while playing in Italy and Uruguay.
Among those were notable Olympic goals for Inter against Empoli and five others during his stint with Nacional, scored against teams such as Fénix, Liverpool, Argentinos Juniors, Wanderers, and Sportivo Luqueño. The goal against Wanderers stood out as a remarkable moment in a magical career.
Michael Bradley (United States)
In February 2015, the United States secured a 2-0 victory over Panama in the Gold Cup, with Michael Bradley scoring directly from a corner to kick off the scoring.
Bradley’s superbly bent shot arched up and over the goalkeeper, finding its way into the net with exceptional precision, setting the USMNT on the path to success. Clint Dempsey added the second goal just ten minutes later.
Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
As he wound down his career with the New York Red Bulls in 2012, Thierry Henry still showcased flashes of brilliance on the pitch.
During a September match against Columbus Crew, Henry executed a cheeky corner that curled over goalkeeper Matt Lampson and nestled in off the post. Reflecting on the goal, he said, “I’ve scored some OK goals in my career. But I have to say, this one is not a bad one,” displaying his characteristic modesty.
Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
Juan Cuadrado struck an incredible goal for Juventus against Genoa in December 2021, scoring directly from a corner.
The Colombian curled a shot over the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, hitting the post on its way in. Although the match was played in a reduced-capacity stadium due to Covid-19, those in attendance were treated to a remarkable goal. Juventus went on to secure a 2-0 victory, with Paulo Dybala adding a second goal later.
Juan Román Riquelme (Villarreal & Boca Juniors)
Throughout his remarkable career in both Argentina and Spain, Juan Román Riquelme scored multiple goals directly from corner kicks.
While playing for Villarreal, he recorded Olympic goals against Mallorca and Deportivo Alavés, later repeating the feat for Boca Juniors against Vélez Sarsfield in the Copa Libertadores in 2007.
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Douglas Luiz is another footballer who has found success scoring from corners multiple times.
The Brazilian midfielder scored directly from a corner in a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in August 2022, marking his second goal in just over a week after achieving another direct corner kick in a League Cup match against Bolton Wanderers, which ended in a 4-1 victory.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos showcased a talent for curling deliveries and executed set pieces with remarkable accuracy.
During the Supercopa de España in January 2020, against Valencia, he noticed goalkeeper Jaume Domenech arguing with the referee while off his line before a corner kick. Taking advantage of the situation, Kroos took the kick swiftly, curling it straight into the net, with Domenech helpless to stop it. The match concluded with Real Madrid winning 3-1.
