Move aside, Kemar Roofe. Make way for Jordi Gómez’s free kick goal from own half in the Europa League on Thursday.
Last week we marveled at Roofe’s stunning effort for Rangers against Standard Liége, struck from just inside his own half. We said it was the goal of the season in the Europa League.
AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER pic.twitter.com/t8McXmmRo3
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 22, 2020
But seven days makes fools of us all.
This week, Jordi Gómez one-upped Roofe. Instead of scoring from inside his own half, he ripped a free kick goal from his own half.
Gómez, who came up through the youth ranks at Barcelona and has played at Espanyol, Swansea, Wigan, Sunderland and Blackburn throughout his journeyman career, now plays for AC Omonia, which he helped win the Cypriot First Division last season. Now in the Europa League, he showed his wiliness with this incredible free kick.
Free Kick Goal From Own Half In Europa League (Jordi Gómez)
Jordi Gomez He catches the keeper and we have another goal from distance.
Kemar Roofe you have competition. pic.twitter.com/dpLfyD0uhe— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 29, 2020
Gómez casually trotted up to the ball as if he’d set it up for a free kick or maybe play a ball in behind the defense for a teammate looking to make a run. Instead he first-timed a shot from beyond the halfway line.
Now you might be thinking: Hey wait a minute, that ball was rolling! VAR should have disallowed it!
Except you’d be wrong because for some reason VAR isn’t being used in the Europa League group stages this season.
In any case, the goal stood, giving Omonia an early 1-0 lead over PSV Eindhoven.
CBS All Access’ halftime show featured referee analyst Christina Unkel, who, besides me wanting to be her best friend based on her wall decorations, said she thought the ball had just about stopped rolling when Gómez struck it.
Can’t argue with a woman who has a USWNT scarf, a baby elephant holding onto Mom’s tail and an RBG book on display. But we will argue with CBS’ decision to bombard soccer viewers with NFL stats on a giant sidebar on the right of the screen.
