First and foremost, it gives us great pleasure to present to you our official 101 Greatest Goals of the 2008-09 season, and we hope you enjoy reliving the list almost as much as we had fun putting it together.

The past three years have been one hell of a roller-coaster. What started as a back-handed discussion between Ronaldo and myself as to “wouldn’t it be great if there was one site which collated all the football goal videos online,” quickly spawned the birth of 101 Great Goals, and the response we have received since starting back in the summer of 2006 has simply been incredible.

Every year we have gone from strength to strength, attracting an ever-increasing audience as we have simultaneously continued to grow the site. From the “Goals” came the “Blog,” and from the “Blog” came the new “Betting” and “Livescore” pages. But this remains just the start. We are far from finished in our dreams of building the best independent football website on the internet.

This summer will again see more developments take shape on 101 Great Goals, with new and exciting features currently being developed in our top secret headquarters. Stay tuned throughout the summer to see these new features being rolled out, with our hope being that come the start of the 2009/2010 season a fresh-faced 101 Great Goals will be in place.

Obviously, none of this would be possible without you.

Whether it be by email, by comments or by referrals, the constant love and feedback we have received over the years has been the driving force in keeping 101 Great Goals alive. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the best football content online, and we trust that you will continue the good fight in making 101 Great Goals the best site it can be.

Enough with the mushy stuff, and onto “The List.”

As is standard practice, it should be pointed out that this list has been put together not on an order of merit, but rather on a chronological basis. Picking the 101 Greatest Goals of the season was hard enough. Picking which goals are the best of the best is simply a bottomless pit of trouble which we opted to stay well clear of.

That said, we welcome your suggestions and comments from which strikes we have wrongly shunned to what goals proved to be the best of the best.

(If there are any “cappers” out there who would like to put all these goals on one video we would be eternally grateful and would give the video great prominence on the site.)

As always, all we ask is that you sit back and enjoy!

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1. Gretar Steinsson (Bolton v Stoke, August 16, 2008), 2. Lucas Barrios (Colo Colo v Santiago Morning, August 30, 2008), 3. Alexander Baumjohann (Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen, August 30, 2008) (0.21 seconds in), 4. Ibrahim Afellay (PSV v Utrecht, August 30, 2008), 5. Andreas Granqvist (Groningen v Utrecht, September 14, 2008), 6. Moussa Dembele (Willem II v AZ Alkmaar, September 26, 2008), 7. Frane Vitaic (Otelul Galati v Farul Constanta, September 26, 2008), 8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan v Bologna, October 4, 2008), 9. Matthew Taylor (West Ham v Bolton, October 5, 2008), 10. Peter Crouch (Portsmouth v Stoke, October 5, 2008)

11. Fausto Rossini (Livorno v Frosinone, October 11, 2008), 12. Amr Zaki (Liverpool v Wigan, October 18, 2008), 13. Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux v Toulouse, October 18, 2008), 14. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus v Real Madrid, October 21, 2008), 15. Marco Antonio “Pikolin” Palacios (Pumas v Houston Dynamo, October 22, 2008), 16. Roman Monarev (Shinnik Yaroslavl v Spartak Nalchik, October 22, 2008), 17. Remi Mareval (Nantes v Marseille, October 29, 2008), 18. David Bentley (Arsenal v Tottenham, October 29, 2008), 19. Frank Lampard (Hull v Chelsea, October 29, 2008), 20. Giorgos Karagounis (Werder Bremen v Panathinaikos, November 4, 2008)

21. Danny Welbeck (Manchester United v Stoke, November 15, 2008), 22. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Palermo v Inter Milan, November 15, 2008), 23. Elano (Brazil v Portugal, November 19, 2008), 24. Glen Johnson (Portsmouth v Hull, November 22, 2008) (5.30 minutes in), 25. Peter Madsen (Sonderjyske v Brondby, November 23, 2008), 26. Xabi Castillo (Real Sociedad v Huesca, November 23, 2008), 27. Anderson (Benfica v Vitoria Setubal, December 1, 2008), 28. Sloan Privat (Sochaux v Caen, December 13, 2008), 29. Johan Elmander (Aston Villa v Bolton, December 13, 2008), 30. Marama Vahirua (Le Harve v Lorient, December 13, 2008)

31. Pedro Lopez (Valladolid v Deportivo La Coruna, December 14, 2008), 32. Sebastian Leto (Olympiakos v Thrasyvoulos, December 20, 2008), 33. Diego Biseswar (Feyenoord v NAC, December 26, 2008), 34. Christian Rodriguez (Nacional v Porto, January 4, 2008), 35. Arjen Robben (Real Madrid v Villarreal, January 4, 2008), 36. Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux v PSG, January 11, 2009), 37. Angel di Maria (Benfica v Olhanense, January 14, 2009), 38. Fabien Delph (Brighton v Leeds, January 17, 2009) (0.20 minutes in), 39. Julio Baptista (Roma v Torino, January 18, 2009), 40. Paul Konchesky (West Ham v Fulham, January 18, 2009)

41. Walter (Brazil U20 v Paraguay U20, January 20, 2009) (0.08 minutes in), 42. Nene (Nacional v Sporting Lisbon, January 24, 2009), 43. Frank Lampard (Chelsea v Ipswich, January 24, 2009), 44. Jose Callejon (Barcelona v Espanyol, January 29, 2009), 45. Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli v Udinese, January 31, 2009), 46. Simon Cox (Swindon v Walsall, January 31, 2009), 47. Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas v Antalyaspor, February 1, 2009), 48. Diego Biseswar (Feyenoord v Sparta, February 4, 2009), 49. Eliran Atar (Bnei Yehuda v Maccabi Netanya, February 7, 2009), 50. Emmanouil Papasterianos (Ergotelis v Iraklis, February 8, 2009)

51. Mirko Vucinic (Roma v Genoa, February 8, 2009), 52. Robinho (Brazil v Italy, February 10, 2009), 53. Roger Guerreiro (Wales v Poland, February 11, 2009), 54. Fabio Coentrao (Porto v Rio Ave, February 15, 2009), 55. Victor Hugo Lojero Alexanderson (Cruz Azul v San Luis, February 18, 2009), 56. Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke v Borussia Dortmund, February 20, 2009), 57. Ivan de la Pena (Barcelona v Espanyol, February 21, 2009), 58. Zoltan Hercegfalvi (Vasas Budapest v Honved Budapest, February 21, 2009), 59. Blaise Matuidi (St. Etienne v Bordeaux, February 22, 2009), 60. Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon v Barcelona, February 24, 2009),

61. Mark Crosas (Celtic reserves v Hearts reserves, February 24, 2009), 62. Hatem Ben Arfa (Twente v Marseille, February 25, 2009), 63. Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid v Barcelona, March 1, 2009), 64. Giuseppe Mascara (Palermo v Catania, March 1, 2009), 65. Julien Feret (PSG v Nancy, March 1, 2009), 66. Cristian Alvarez (Beitar Jerusalem v Maccabi Haifa, March 2, 2009) (1.05 minutes in), 67. Fabio Bilica (Fenerbahce v Sivasspor, March 4, 2009), 68. Carlton Cole (Wigan v West Ham, March 4, 2009), 69. Eden Hazard (Lille v Lyon, March 4, 2009), 70. Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal v Burnley, March 8, 2009)

71. Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus v Chelsea, March 10, 2009), 72. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan v Fiorentina, March 15, 2009), 73. Giuseppe Mascara (Udinese v Catania, March 15, 2009), 74. Bojan Krkic (Almeria v Barcelona, March 15, 2009), 75. Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas v Chicago Fire, March 21, 2009), 76. Gary Brown (Blyth Spartans v Stafford Rangers, March 21, 2009) (4.50 minutes in), 77. Michalis Konstantinou (assist Efstathios Aloneftis) (Omonia Nicosia v Anorthosis Famagusta, March 21, 2009), 78. Michael Welch (Altrincham v Crawley, March 21, 2009), 79. Emil Johansson (Elfsborg v Hammarby, April 4, 2009), 80. Morgan Amalfitano (Grenoble v Lorient, April 4, 2009)

81. Grafite (Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich, April 4, 2009), 82. Emmanuel Adebayor (Villarreal v Arsenal, April 7, 2009), 83. Ragnar Sigurdsson (IFK Gothenburg v Djurgarden, April 11, 2009), 84. Fernando Torres (Liverpool v Blackburn, April 11, 2009), 85. Luis Angel Landin (Morelia v Cruz Azul, April 11, 2009), 86. Cristiano Ronaldo (Porto v Manchester United, April 15, 2009), 87. Ibrahima Yattara (Trabzonspor v Genclerbirligi, April 17, 2009), 88. Roberto Merino (Salernitana v Albinoleffe, April 17, 2009), 89. Achille Emana (Real Betis v Sporting Gijon, April 19, 2009), 90. Ailton Almeida (Horsens v FC Copenhagen, April 25, 2009)

91. Cristian Bolanos (Start Kristiansand v Tromso, April 26, 2009), 92. Cleiton Xavier (Colo Colo v Palmeiras, April 29, 2009), 93. Cristiano Ronaldo (Arsenal v Manchester United, May 5, 2009) (1st goal), 94. Cristiano Ronaldo (Arsenal v Manchester United, May 5, 2009) (2nd goal), 95. Michael Essien (Chelsea v Barcelona, May 6, 2009), 96. Nilmar (Corinthians v Internacional, May 10, 2009), 97. Ireneusz Jelen (PSG v Auxerre, May 16, 2009), 98. Cristiano Zanetti (Juventus v Atalanta, May 17, 2009), 99. Alex (Spartak Moscow v Amkar, May 23, 2009), 100. Nacho Novo (Rangers v Falkirk, May 30, 2009), 101. Juanfran (Osasuna v Real Madrid, May 31, 2009)

China 1 - Iran 0 (International friendly, June 1, 2009) Gao Lin scored the only goal of the game just before the break, the striker reacting quickly after Yang Hao’s low free-kick came back off the post.

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Maccabi Haifa 1 - Beitar Jerusalem 1 (Ligat ha’Al, June 1, 2009) Beitar lead through Dario Fernandez’s well-placed free-kick after 28 minutes, champions Haifa drawing level thanks to Lior Rafaelov’s tidy finish just before the hour.

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Bodo/Glimt 0 - Rosenborg 4 (Tippeligaen, June 1, 2009) After Rosenborg had inexplicably been denied a penalty in the first half, the Norwegian giants romped to victory thanks to goals from Sapara, Olsen and a Tettey brace.

Molde 2 - Odd Grenland 1 (Tippeligaen, June 1, 2009) Mame Biram Diouf fired second-place Molde into the lead, only for Christian Steen to turn a cross into his own net to bring Grenland level. Aksel Skjolsvik handed the hosts all three points with a volley in the box after 35 minutes.

***

Antwerp 0 - Dender 2 (Jupiler League promotion/relegation playoffs, May 31, 2009)

Roeselare 1 - Lierse 0 (Jupiler League promotion/relegation playoffs, May 31, 2009)

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Rosenborg 3 - Watford 0 (U19 Copa Amsterdam, May 30, 2009) The hornets were stung by a Pal Andre Helland hat-trick in the prestige tournament in Holland.

AZ Alkmaar 2 - Rosenborg 0 (U19 Copa Amsterdam, May 31, 2009) Rosenborg were made to pay for missing a first half penalty as the Dutchmen ran out victors with two second half strikes.

Real Madrid 0 - Rosenborg 1 (U19 Copa Amsterdam, May 31, 2009)

That’s all folks!

The shutters have come down on the 2008/09 season, leaving us with the final goals of the week list for the year. Yet not every footballer will be starting the summer holidays in happy spirits.

Readers of the blog will no-doubt have seen Amr Zaki’s amazing self-harm celebration during Egypt’s 1-nil win in Oman over the weekend. (See here.) But Zaki was not alone at sucking in the sun.

Over in Italy, Sampdoria keeper Vincenzo Fiorillo made a complete pigs’ ear of not just one, but two incidents that lead directly to goals. First, the so-called shot-stopper glazed his gloves in oil, with a simple cross popping out from his grasp allowing Fabrizio Miccoli the simple tap-in. Minutes later Fiorillo made sure to cement his crap reputation, the keeper inexplicably passing a ball straight to Miccoli, who in turn teed up Davide Succi for the second of the game. (Vincenzo Fiorillo’s screw-ups can be seen here.)

The winner of the final schmuck of the week award, however, goes to AEK Athens forward Ismael Blanco for his outstanding effort in being able to miss an open goal from two yards against Panathinaikos.

Blanco’s wonder-miss can be seen here.

Onto the list, and happily the final selection of the season produced some fine crackers to round off the year in style.

Controlled shots from distance accounted for goals 1, 4, 6 and 8, while individual flair and close-control were a key factors behind goals 2 and 3.

If you only have time for a few videos though, the showboat of the week can been found at goal 9, two unstoppable blockbusters are located at positions 5 and 7, while a season-defining volley rounds off the list at number 10.

As always, all we ask is that you sit back and enjoy!

1. Wade Elliott (Burnley v Sheffield United, May 25, 2009)

2. Fouad Idabdelhay (NAC v Groningen, May 27, 2009)

3. Kun Aguero (Atletico Madrid v Almeria, May 30, 2009)

4. Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid v Almeria, May 30, 2009)

5. Nacho Novo (Rangers v Falkirk, May 30, 2009)

6. Frank Lampard (Everton v Chelsea, May 30, 2009)

7. Leandro Domingues (Vitoria v Gremio, May 31, 2009)

8. Christian Eigler (Nurnberg v Energie Cottbus, May 31, 2009)

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan v Atalanta, May 31, 2009)

10. Juanfran (Osasuna v Real Madrid, May 31, 2009)

***

Narrowly missing out on this week’s list were goals from Ugur Dasdemir, Nate Jaqua (3.15 minutes in), Paulo Nagamura (first goal on the video) and Fred (2.25 minutes in).

Osasuna 2 - Real Madrid 1 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Real Madrid stole ahead at Osasuna after 10 minutes when Gonzalo Higuain collected the ball on the right-hand side, cut into the box, and fired home. The lead lasted only minutes, Jaroslav Plasil sneaking a tame shot into the near post that Casillas should have saved. (First half highlights here.) Osasuna’s task got a little easier after Michel Salgado was handed a straight red in the 55th minute, and soon the hosts took advantage as Juanfran smacked an unstoppable 20-yard volley that ripped into the net on the hour.

Real Betis 1 - Valladolid 1 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Betis were only relegated on goal difference, with Ricardo Oliveira’s equaliser not enough to see the hosts through after substitute Marco Aguirre gave Valladolid the lead.

Sporting Gijon 2 - Recreativo Huelva 1 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) Sporting had to come from behind to win having fallen behind to a Recre opener through Ersen Martin. David Barral got the home side back on terms on 58 minutes before a Luis Moran strike nine minutes later ensured Gijon beat the drop.

Racing Santander 1 - Getafe 1 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) Racing broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, Toni Moral getting across his marker to convert a right-wing cross. Getafe were level inside five minutes after Esteban Granero fired a low drive into the bottom corner from just inside the box.

Numancia 0 - Sevilla 2 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) Sevilla claimed all three points with two late goals, Emiliano Armenteros tapping in from a yard in the 89th minute before Juan Carlos Moreno turned a cross into his own net in injury time.

Espanyol 3 - Malaga 0 (La Liga, May 31, 2009) Raul Tamudo scored a hat-trick as Espanyol finished off the season in style. Tamudo scored in the seventh and 45th minute, before converting a penalty after Welington Robson was red-carded for tripping the Espanyol captain inside the area in the 55th.

Hercules 2 - Celta Vigo 2 (Segunda Division, May 31, 2009)

***

Inter Milan 4 - Atalanta 3 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Sulley Muntari picked up a rebound after six minutes to blast Inter ahead of Atalanta. The visitors replied four minutes later as Cristiano Doni was left unmarked from a corner to head in the equaliser. Back came Inter, Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the offside trap in the 12 minute to restore the hosts’ lead. A blistering start to the match then saw Atalanta level once more, Luca Cigarini cracking a lovely 25-yard shot over the keeper and high into the net. Ten minutes into the second half Cristiano Doni fired Atalanta into the lead with a picture perfect free-kick, but the champions turned the match in the final stages as Esteban Cambiasso and Zlatan (a brilliant backheel) scored twice in sixty seconds. Portuguese legend Luis Figo received an emotional standing ovation in his final match for Inter.

Fiorentina 0 - AC Milan 2 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) After a goalless first half at Fiorentina, the Rossoneri moved ahead when Kaka eventually converted a delicious Zambrotta cross after 54 minutes. Alexandre Pato came off the bench, and the Brazilian soon chalked up the second with a deft finish past Frey to double Milan’s lead. Milan finished the season as runners-up. After the match Carlo Ancelotti announced his departure from Milan, however the Italian would not confirm his next employment. Ancelotti’s post match announcement (in English) can be heard here.

Roma 3 - Torino 2 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Torino stole the lead at Roma after nine minutes when Tomasso Vailatti swung a leg in the box after the hosts failed to clear their lines from a corner. The hosts levelled before the break thanks to a sweet left-footed strike from Jeremy Menez. Mirko Vucinic put Roma ahead midway through the second half, Totti added a third from the spot. Nicola Ventola bagged a late second for Torino.

Bologna 3 - Catania 1 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) A horrendous attempt from the Catania shot-stopper to block Nicola Mingazzini’s speculative shot at the keeper’s near-post ended in failure, handing Bologna the early lead. More awful defending from Catania gifted Claudio Terzi space in the box to plant home a free header after 25 minutes. Catania reduced their arrears through Takayuki Morimoto, Marco Di Vaio gave Bologna a two-goal cushion again and Catania could not respond.

Juventus 2 - Lazio 0 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) The Old Lady were edged into third place despite winning on the final day, Vincenzo Iaquinta slid Juve ahead inside three minutes before Iaquinta doubled the lead just before the hour mark after being played through by Pavel Nedved. The Czech international was given a heroes send-off when he was substituted with minutes remaining.

Napoli 3 - Chievo 0 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Three goals in the first 19 minutes from Montervino, Bogliacino and Pia secured an eay win for the home side.

Genoa 4 - Lecce 1 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Diego Milito scored a brace in his final game before leaving for Inter Milan. Jankovic and Criscito had scored the first two goals for Genoa, Tribocchi had tied the game at the break.

Palermo 2 - Sampdoria 2 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Fabrizio Miccoli and Davide Succi put Palermo in control but Giampaolo Pazzini brought it back to 2-1 on the stroke of halftime. Marius Stankevicius then sealed a point for Samp with a goal on 58 minutes.

Reggina 1 - Siena 1 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Cristian Stuani’s penalty was cancelled out by Massimo Maccarone.

Udinese 6 - Cagliari 2 (Serie A, May 31, 2009) Kwadwo Asamoah, Simone Pepe, Antonio Floro Flores, Giovanni Pasquale, Fabio Quagliarella and Odion Ighalo all got in on the act for Udinese. Robert Acquafresca converted a penalty for Cagliari and Andrea Parola also struck as defences on both sides struggled.

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Nurnberg 2 - Energie Cottbus 0 (Agg. 5-0) (Bundesliga relegation/promotion playoff, March 31, 2009) Leading 3-nil from the first leg, Nurnberg went about confirming their Bundesliga promotion over Cottubus, Christian Eigler curled home a left-footed beauty after 29 minutes while Marek Mintal stroked home the second ten minutes before the break.

***

Fortuna Sittard 0 - Bayern Munich 2 (Club Friendly, March 31, 2009) Second half goals from Thomas Muller and Sosa handed Bayern the win.

***

Groningen 0 - NAC 2 (Agg. 1-3) (Eredivisie Europa League playoffs second-leg, March 31, 2009) Matthew Amoah broke the deadlock after 62 minutes when he headed home a cross from Kolkka and four minutes before the final whistle Csaba Feher hit the net to settle the match. Breda, who finished the season in eighth, qualified for the second round of the Europa League.

Roda 1 - Cambuur 1 (Agg. 1-1) (Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs second-leg, March 31, 2009) Sekou Cisse gave Roda the lead on 38 minutes, shortly after Marcel Meeuwis had been shown a straight red card. Cambuur then evened the numbers up four minutes before halftime when Koen Brack was also given his marching orders. The visitors grabbed an equaliser through Mark de Vries 10 minutes from time.

De Graafschap 2 - RKC Waalwijk 1 (Agg. 2-3) (Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs second-leg, March 31, 2009) Waalwijk took the lead after just 12 minutes through Charlison Benshop, but an almost immediate response from Geert den Ouden levelled the score on the day. Luuk de Jong struck just after the start of the second half to poise the tie perfectly for the final leg next week.

***

Porto 1 - Pacos Ferreira 0 (Taca de Portugal final, March 31, 2009) Porto claimed the Portuguese doubled with a narrow win in the cup final, Lisandro Lopez slipping home the only game of the game after six minutes.

***

Rubin Kazan 0 - CSKA Moscow 1 (Russian Cup final, May 31, 2009) Despite being down to 10-men from the 13th minute after Pavel Mamaev saw a straight red, CSKA managed to win the Russian Cup with virtually the last kick of the game as Eugeni Aldonin crashing home a 90th minute winner.

***

AEK Athens 0 - Panathinaikos 2 (Greek Super League Play-Offs, May 31, 2009) A Karagounis penalty on 30 and a close range finish from Rukavina six minutes later sealed the win.

PAOK 1 - Larissa 0 (Greek Super League Play-Offs, May 31, 2009)

***

Kalmar 2 - Helsingborg 0 (Allsvenskan, May 31, 2009) Kalmar broke the deadlock just after the half hour as  Daniel Sobralense stormed in with a powerful header from a left-wing cross. Highly-rated Swedish international Rasmus Elm doubled Kalmar’s lead minutes after the restart with a sweetly struck free-kick.

***

Boca Juniors 3 - San Martin 0 (Argentinean Clausura, May 31, 2009) Martin Palermo claimed a brace and Palacio the other as Boca eased to a comfortable home win.

Tigre 2 - Estudiantes 0 (Argentinean Clausura, May 31, 2009)

Gimnasia J 0 - Velez Sarsfield 1 (Argentinean Clausura, May 31, 2009) Cristaldo’s diving header in the 50th minute settled the match.

Gimnasia La Plata 0 - Racing Club 0 (Argentinean Clausura, May 31, 2009)

***

Flamengo 2 - Atletico Paranaense 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009) Adriano was involved in both Flamengo goals. The first was an og from Carlos, who was under pressure from the former Inter Milan forward and a minute into the second half Adriano scored his first goal on his return to the Rio giants. A penalty from Moura gave the away side some hope with twenty minutes to go.

Internacional 2 - Avai FC 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009) Inter continued their perfect start to the league season with their fourth win in four games. Cunha and Alecsandro scored for the home side, Lima pulled a goal back late on from the penalty spot.

Sao Paulo 3 - Cruzueiro 0 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009) The champions cruised to an easy win with goals from Washington, Borges and Dagoberto.

Vitoria 1 - Gremio 0 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009) Leandro scored the winner in the 90th minute.

Santos 3 - Corinthians 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009)

Bareuri 2 - Palmeiras 2 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009)

Nautico 1 - Fluminense 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 31, 2009)

***

Emelec 0 - Olmedo 1 (Ecuador Apertura, May 31, 2009)

***

Japan 4 - Belgium 0 (Kirin Cup, May 31, 2009) Yuto Nagatomo blasted Japan in front after 21 minutes before Kengo Nakamura doubled their lead with another sharp finish moments later. Shinji Okazaki made it three with a brave diving header on the hour mark and Kisho Yano added a late fourth to underline Japan’s superiority.

Chelsea 2 - Everton 1 (FA Cup Final, May 30, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Forget slow-coach Roberto Di Matteo. Twenty-four seconds is all it took for Everton to open the scoring in the FA Cup final, in the Toffees first attack Fellaini showed his aerial threat in the box from a Pienaar (offside?) cross, with Louis Saha profitting with a clinical left-footed strike past Cech. The Merseysiders held the lead for 20 minutes until Malouda swung over a left-wing cross into the box and Didier Drogba beat Lescott to head in the equaliser. (Extended ITV first half highlights here.) The match then settled down into a relatively even contest, but 20 minutes from time a Frank Lampard cracker from 25-yards beat Tim Howard (too easily?) to put the Blues’ noses in front. Florent Malouda should have claimed a third, but the officials wrongly ruled against the Frenchman’s strike after his effort struck the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line.

Chelsea’s celebrations at the final whistle can be seen here, and footage of the trophy celebrations can be seen here. Guus Hiddink’s emotional post match interview can be seen here.

***

Rangers 1 - Falkirk 0 (Scottish FA Cup Final, May 30, 2009) Nacho Novo was introduced at the break and his impact was instant, 30 seconds after the restart he collected a throw-in from Steven Whittaker and unleashed a spectacular 30-yard volley that dipped into the net.

The post-match interview with Barry Ferguson can be seen here, and Rangers’ post match celebrations can be seen here.

***

Deportivo La Coruna 1 - Barcelona 1 (La Liga, May 30, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Triple-champions Barcelona were saluted by the Deportivo players before there match in Andalusia. That didn’t stop Depor taking the lead, Rodolfo Bodipo planting home a clinical header on the half hour. Barca equalised in the last minutes of the match, Samuel Eto’o finding the leveller for the Catalans.

Valencia 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0 (La Liga, May 30, 2009) Valencia took just six minutes before moving ahead of Bilbao, Joaquin raced down the right hand side and picked out David Villa for the simple tap-in. Los Che had to wait until the dying stages to put the game to bed, David Villa again popping up to slot home from 2-yards.

Atletico Madrid 3 - Almeria 0 (La Liga, May 30, 2009) A breathtaking individual strike from Kun Aguero blasted Atletico ahead of Almeria after 19 minutes. Madrid then doubled their lead when Luis Garcia met a Maxi free-kick six minutes later. Spaniksh top goalscorer Diego Forlan added another great goal to his collection after the break, crashing home a first-time from 25-yards out.

Mallorca 2 - Villarreal 3 (La Liga, May 30, 2009) Villarreal moved in front at Mallorca when Cani coolly found the bottom corner on the half hour. The Yellow Submarine were then breached straight through the middle allowing Aritz Aduriz to level six minutes later. Rossi then saw his spot-klick saved by Moya, before the visitors moved ahead when Joseba Llorente broke the offside trap before expertly lifting the ball over the keeper. Llorente extended Villarreal’s lead at the start of the second half, Pierre Webo’s 89th goal a mere consolation.

Real Zaragoza 3 - Albacete 0 (Segunda Division, May 30, 2009)

***

Bayer Leverkusen 0 - Werder Bremen 1 (DFB Pokal final, May 30, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) After a goalless first half (highlights here) one goal was enough to settle the German cup final, Diego played in Mesut Ozil down the inside left channel after 58 minutes and the midfielder carried his run into the box where he scored at the near post.

***

Caen 0 - Bordeaux 1 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) After a tense and goalless first half in Caen, the hosts battling to beat the drop, league leaders Bordeaux bagged the title winning lead minutes after the restart as Yoann Gouffran header home a left-wing cross. The result saw Bordeaux crowned French champions, a superb feat for manager Laurent Blanc, while Caen were relegated to Ligue 2.

Marseille 4 - Rennes 0 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) After a goalless first half with Rennes, OM tore into their visitors in the second half with goals from Bakary Kone, Mamadou Niang, a Nicolas Douchez own-goal and a second from Niang.

St. Etienne 4 - Valenciennes 0 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) Relegation-threatened St. Etienne took a valuable lead against Valenciennes in the 14th minute, Ilan meeting a cross at the back post to crash home a volley on the stretch. The hosts then pulled away after the break, Bafetibis Gomis prodding home a rebound after 53 minutes before Gomis added a third in the 57th minute. Kevin Mirallas wrapped up the win with a fourth.

Lille 3 - Nancy 2 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) Lille scored twice against Nancy inside the opening quarter hour, Robert Vittek spun in the box before firing home the first while Adil Rami popped up two minutes later to double the lead. Abdelsalem Ouaddou pulled Nancy back in the game with scoring from a corner, and in the 66th minute Nancy drew level when Youssouf Hadji converted an indirect free-kick after the Lille keeper had picked up a backpass in his box. But the ding-dong return in Lille’s favour when Nicolas Plestan scored in the 73rd minute.

Nantes 2 - Auxerre 1 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) Auxerre felled behind at Nantes after Ivan Klasnic turned home a near post cross from the left. Jeremie Berthod brought the visitors level at he start of the second half only for the hosts to restore the lead through Mamadou Bagayoko in the 53rd minute.

Lorient 1 - Le Mans 1 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) A neat finish from Thorstein Helstad handed Le Mans the lead at Lorient. Mickael Ciani brought the hosts back level with a powerful header from a corner.

Grenoble 0 - Sochaux 1 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009) A well-taken solo goal from Mevlut Erdinc put Sochaux into the lead at Grenoble.

PSG 0 - Monaco 0 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009)

Toulouse 0 - Lyon 0 (Ligue 1, May 30, 2009)

***

Mantova 1 - Salernitana 1 (Serie B, May 30, 2009) Both teams celebrated the point that ensured safety from relegation. Godeas nodded in the opener for Mantova, Salernitana levelled through Ganci.

Cittadella 2 - Rimini 0 (Serie B, May 30, 2009) Cittadella avoid the drop and sent Rimini into the relegation play-out against Ancona, Carparelli and Meggiorini scoring for Cittadella.

Pisa 0 - Brescia 1 (Serie B, May 30, 2009) 10-man Brescia relegated Pisa courtesy of Zambrella’s header from Zambelli’s cross.

Bari 4 - Treviso 1 (Serie B, May 30, 2009)

***

Zenit St. Petersburg 2 - Kuban Krasnodar 0 (Russian Premier League, May 30, 2009) Zenit broke the deadlock minutes before the break when Igor Semshov slipped home the opener inside the box. And on the stroke of halftime Zenit struck again, Pavel Pogrebnyak denied a Kuban defender from shielding the ball out of play and picking out Konstantin Zyryanov to fire home number two.

Lokomotiv Moscow 2 - Spartak Moscow 1 (Russian Premier League, May 30, 2009) All the goals arrived in the first half, Rodolfo and Alexandr Minchenkov putting the hosts 2-up before Alex replied for Spartak. The second half was also full of action seeing three dismissals, Dmitri Sychev and Fininho collecting red cards for Lokomtiv while Rafael Carioca was sent off for the visitors.

Tomsk 2 - Dynamo Moscow 3 (Russian Premier League, May 30, 2009) The visitors raced into a 2-goal lead inside 12 minutes, Aleksandr Kerzhakov curled home a free-kick kick and Dmitri Kombarov converted from the spot, Kerzhakov added a third moments before the break. Tomsk rallied after the break as Siarhei Karnilenka claiming a brace, but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

***

Denizlispor 1 - Besiktas 2 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Besiktas won the Turkish lead title with a two points advantage over Sivasspor at the top of the table, the championship was secure by goals from Filip Holosko and Ibrahim Toraman.

Galatasaray 2 - Sivasspor 1 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Sivasspor suffered a bitter defeat at Gala that saw the visitors surrender the league title. Milan Baros teed up Arda Turan for the opener, before Herve Tum brought Sivas level with a header from a corner. Arda Turan netted the winner when he saw his long-range effort deflect off a Sivas defender to nestle in the net.

Trabzonspor 1 - Fenerbahce 2 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) After falling behind to a goal from Umit Bulut, Alex and Dani Guiza turned the match in Fener’s favour and secured a place in the Europa League next season.

Genclerbirligi 0 - Kayserispor 4 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Kayserispor recorded a fine away win, downing Genclerbirligi thanks to a hat-trick from Milan Purovic and a penalty from Salomon Olembe.

Istanbul Buyuksehir 0 - Bursaspor 1 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Ayhan Tuna Uzumcu’s 18th minute effort was the difference between the sides.

Konyaspor 3 - Ankaraspor 0 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Konyaspor moved out of the bottom three with a 3-0 win against Ankaraspor thanks to second half strikes from Stjepan Poljak, Bulent Bolukbasi and Erdal Kilicaslan.

Antalyaspor 1 - Ankaragucu 0 (Super Lig, May 30, 2009) Antalyaspor needed a late goal from Serge Djiehoua to see off Ankaragucu.

Gaziantepspor 1 - Eskisehirspor 1 (Super Lig, May 29, 2009) Youla opened the scoring with a back post header just before the hour for the visitors (interesting celebration!), Beto levelled matters with a tidy side-footed finish in the 70th minute.

Hacettepe 0 - Kocaelispor 4 (Super Lig, May 29, 2009) With both sides already relegated there was nothing but pride at stake but it was visiting Kocaelispor who showed the greater fight, netting four times in the second period through Ramal Huseynov, Emirhan Onder, Ugur Dasdemir (the pick of the goals) and Cem Sinan.

***

IFK Gothenburg 4 - Brommapojkarna 0 (Allsvenskan, May 30, 2009) Due to join AZ Alkmaar in the summer, 22-year-old IFK striker Pontus Wernbloom continued his fine scoring form by giving the hosts the lead over Brommapojkarna just before the hour mark. IFK then killed the match with three goals in four minutes, Niklas Barkroth (79), Stefan Selakovic after a brilliant assist from Barkroth (80) and then Barkroth again (82) destroyed Brommapojkarna with a second half blitz.

Trelleborg 2 - Gefle 1 (Allsvenskan, May 30, 2009) The match got off to a lively start, Amadou Jawo put Gefle ahead after four minutes and Peter Abelsson levelled with a header at the near post. Paulino Tavares closed out the first half with a wonderful curler into the far corner, and with no more goals the hosts leapfrogged their opponents into fifth.

***

OFK Belgrade 2 - Banat 1 (Serbian Superliga, May 30, 2009) Petar Jelic and Aleksandar Jevtic put the hosts 2-up before Marinko Petkovic pulled a goal back for Banat with a sweet strike with the outside of his boot.

Napredak 2 - Red Star Belgrade 2 (Serbian Superliga, May 30, 2009) All the goals arrived in a frantic first half that saw three of the four goals arrive from the penalty-spot.

***

Wisla Krakow 2 - Slask Wroclaw 0 (Ekstraklasa, May 30, 2009)

***

New England Revolution 2 - DC United 1 (MLS, May 30, 3009) A last minute penalty from Steve Ralston gave the home side the win. Fred had put United ahead, only for Shalrie Joseph to equalise ten minutes into the second half.

New York Red Bulls 2 - Colorado Rapids 3 (MLS, May 30, 3009) Conor Casey claimed a brace for the Rapids, Juan Pablo Angel had briefly levelled the game. Ballouchy was also on the scoresheet from the penalty spot for the Rapids and Borman brought it back to 3-2 for the home side.

LA Galaxy 1 - KC Wizards 1 (MLS, May 30, 3009) The Galaxy had to play with 10-men for the final half an hour after Gregg Berhalter received a red card for pulling Claudio Lopez’s jersey from behind on a breakaway. Davy Arnaud put the Wizards ahead in the 84th minute when he diverted a Herculez Gomez’s diving header with his left foot from close-range. Edson Buddle drew the Galaxy level at the death, ths striker finding the bottom corner to in the 89th minute.

Seattle Sounders 1 - Columbus Crew 1 (MLS, May 30, 3009) Alejandro Moreno’s header past Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller gave Columbus an early lead, but Sounders forward Nate Jaqua answered in the 58th minute.

***

Lanus 2 - San Lorenzo 1 (Argentinean Clausura, May 30, 2009) Eduardio Salvio (”the new Messi”) put Lanus ahead, but a Faccioli og levelled things up. Jose Sand continued his fine scoring run of late with a penalty fifteen minutes from time to win the match.

Godoy Cruz 1 - Colon 3 (Argentinean Clausura, May 30, 2009)

***

Botafogo 2 - Sport Recife 2 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 30, 2009)

Coritiba 1 - Goias 3 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 30, 2009)

Atletico Mineiro 0 - Santo Andre 0 (Campeonato Brasileiro, May 30, 2009)

***

Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - Albirex Niigata 0 (Nabisco Cup, May 30, 2009) Urawa secured victory with a goal in each half, Yoshiya Nishizawa sriking midway through the first half while Escudero finally killed off the match with a goal on the hour.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 7 - Omiya Ardija 0 (Nabisco Cup, May 30, 2009)

***

Oman 0 - Egypt 1 (International friendly, May 30, 2009)

Republic of Ireland 1 - Nigeria 1 (International friendly, May 29, 2009) Michael Enemaro put the Flying Eagles ahead on the half hour converting a right-wing cross after a period of consistent pressure from the Flying Eagles. The Irish were soon level, Keith Andrews found Robbie Keane in the area and the Ireland skipper rounded keeper Ejide to score.

Belgium 1 - Chile 1 (International friendly, May 29, 2009) Kevin Roelandts put Belgium into the lead on 17 minutes but seven minutes later highly-rated midfielder Gary Medel squared things up. Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet went close with a header in the second half for Belgium.

China 1 - Germany 1 (International friendly, May 29, 2009) Hao Junmin scored a fourth minute goal to put China ahead, Lukas Podolski fired the German equaliser two minutes later.

***

Paderborn 1 - Osnabruck 0 (Bundesliga II qualification first-leg, May 29, 2009) Frank Loning claimed the only goal in the 78th minute.

***

Steaua Bucharest 2 - Universitatea Craiova 1 (Liga I, May 29, 2009)

***

Amkar Perm 0 - Saturn Moscow 2 (Russian Premier League, May 29, 2009) Vladimir Kuzmichev fired the visitors in the lead on the half hour, while horrendous defending from Amkar allowed Dmitri Kirichenko to steal possession and crash in number tow midway through the second half.

***

RKC Waalwijk 2 - De Graafschap 0 (Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs first-leg, May 28, 2009) Ferne Snoyl (free-kick) and a Fred Benson header in the space of four minutes shortly after halftime to put RKC in control of the tie heading into the second leg this weekend.

***

Basel 0 - Young Boys 3 (Swiss Super League, May 29, 2009) Young Boys leapfrogged Basel into second place in the table courtesy of three second half goals from Baykal (deflected free-kick), David Degen and Thomas Haberli.

***

Newells Old Boys 1 - Arsenal Sarandi 1 (Clausura, May 29, 2009) Both goals arrived inside 16 minutes, Sergio Sena’s tidy finish handed Arsenal the lead after 12 minutes, before Mauro Formica levelled the match with a well-directed header.

Huracan 2 - Banfield 1 (Clausura, May 29, 2009) Pathetic defending from Huracan’s centre-half, who had two attempts to head clear a high ball, resulted with Sebastian Fernandez nipping in to fire Banfield ahead. Mario Bolatti equalised on the stroke of halftime with a rasping 25-yard drive, while a beautiful curling effort from Patricio Toranzo turned the match in the hosts’ favour 15 minutes from time.