Thirteen years after former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, scored a goal for his club Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Champions League, Lazio’s goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel, has become the latest goalkeeper to achieve this feat in the competition.
Making his debut in the UEFA Champions League, the Italian goalkeeper scored a header in stoppage time, securing a 1-1 draw for Lazio against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Provedel’s goal occurred five minutes into added time, as he ventured up the pitch for a last-ditch corner and converted a cross from Luis Alberto with one of the final touches of the match.
Provedel expressed his happiness over the goal, particularly because it helped his team avoid a loss they didn’t deserve. He mentioned that he hasn’t fully grasped the significance of scoring in the Champions League yet and hopes that the point gained will provide momentum, motivation, and enthusiasm for his team.
In a notable contrast, Vincent Enyeama scored a penalty in the 2010/11 season for Hapoel Tel Aviv against Lyon. During that season, Enyeama also scored in the Champions League qualifying playoffs for Hapoel Tel Aviv against Red Bull Salzburg, ending the campaign with two European goals. Enyeama, the 2013 AFCON winner, had a total of nine league goals for the Israeli club and was renowned for scoring penalties during his time with Enyimba in the Nigerian league.
Provedel’s achievement makes him only the second goalkeeper in Champions League history to score a goal from open play, and he is the first to do so in 13 years since Enyeama accomplished it for Hapoel Tel Aviv. The most recent goalkeeper to score a non-penalty goal in the UCL was Sinan Bolat, who also scored in the 95th minute for Standard Liege, rescuing a draw against AZ Alkmaar during the 2009/10 season.
