Zlatan Ibrahimovic Goal Leaves Soccer Fans Gobsmacked [Video]

A Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal in Sweden’s friendly against England is already being talked about as one of the greatest goals ever scored.

The strike, an outrageous overhead kick from fully 30 yards, rounded off a 4-2 win for the Swedes in Stockholm.

There seemed to be little threat as Ibrahimovic chased a high, bouncing clearance towards the England goal with time ticking down. But when England goalkeeper Ian Hart produced a flimsy headed clearance, the Swedish striker needed no further invitation. Turning and contorting his body, Ibrahimovic pulled off a perfectly executed bicycle kick to lob the dropping ball back over the heads of Hart and the English defense from a scarcely believable angle and distance. The video of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal is embedded below; scroll down to be wowed.

More impressive still, that freakish Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal wasn’t even the first of the night. In fact, the prodigious striker scored all four of Sweden’s goals in a devastating individual display. The international friendly was staged to celebrate the opening of Sweden’s new national stadium, and Sweden’s captain and talisman has ensured the game will be remembered for many years.

Those watching at the new arena were bowled over, with former England manager Graham Taylor describing the strike as the best he had ever seen in the flesh, and Sweden coach Erik Hamren comparing the goal to “[like] watching a video game”. It’s hard to disagree.

Even England captain Steven Gerrard was left amazed, describing the strike as “probably the best goal” he had seen live. Gerrard, who was substituted towards the end of the game, returned to the pitch after the final whistle to shake Ibrahimovic’s hand.

Here’s the Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal against England:

Was the Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal the best ever as some soccer fans online are suggesting? It’s difficult to say, though it could be a serious contender for the greatest ever goal from a bicycle kick. There are a couple of contenders in that category including Wayne Rooney’s effort against Manchester City in 2011:

And then there’s Ronaldinho’s 2006 stunner against Villareal:

But for me, Ibrahimovic takes top spot. What say you, readers?