Back to goal and with an extraordinary heel flick: the goal in the Championship already nominated for the Puskás Award
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Bristol City striker Dominic Ballard scored an extraordinary overhead kick goal with his back to the net in a Championship match against Birmingham City.
- The spectacular goal, which came in the final minutes of a 1-1 draw, has already sparked calls for it to be nominated for the Puskás Award.
- This was Ballard's first goal for Bristol City, having joined from League One where he was the top scorer.
Dominic Ballard, a striker for Bristol City, has scored a goal so remarkable it's already being considered for the Puskás Award. The spectacular strike occurred during the second matchday of England's Championship league, in a game against Birmingham City.
With his back to the goal and receiving a cross from behind, Ballard, 21, executed a stunning mid-air backheel flick. The ball soared over the goalkeeper's head in an improbable arc, finding the back of the net. This audacious finish came just five minutes before the end of a match that was tied 1-1. Ballard had entered the game as a substitute under coach Michael Skubala.
It was an incredible feeling. I'm not going to score many better.
The goal, his first for Bristol City since his transfer this season, has generated significant buzz on social media, with many hailing it as one of the season's best. Ballard previously played in League One, where he finished as the top scorer with 23 goals. "It was an incredible feeling," Ballard stated after the match, admitting, "I'm not going to score many better." He also highlighted the fans' incredible support, running towards them immediately after scoring.
Despite the brilliance of Ballard's goal, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Birmingham City secured a late equalizer through a penalty converted by Demarai Gray, preventing Bristol City from securing the win. The draw left Ballard and his team disappointed, overshadowing the individual brilliance of his goal.
The fans were incredible and I ran straight towards them when I scored, which was an incredible feeling.
Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.