Best performace by a player in a match you've ever seen?

candlegrease

What do you think guys?

Johner

Ronaldo at Old Trafford for Real Madrid against United.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQKvLWTFEqs

curry-muff

Keano v Juve

/thread

wcarey1975

candlegrease wrote: »

What do you think guys?

As an LFC fan it pains me to say it but Keane in Turin against juventus was up there as the best that I've seen.

Helix

mcgrath against italy in the world cup

best performance by any footballer ever, without taking into consideration that mcgrath was paralysed in one arm and half cut

*edit to add video*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm84YD0NH30

shano_88

Zidane vs Brazil. 06 world cup quarter final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIf07gQAbGM

Victor McDade

Helix wrote: »

mcgrath against italy in the world cup

best performance by any footballer ever, without taking into consideration that mcgrath was paralysed in one arm and half cut

*edit to add video*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm84YD0NH30

And up against the "world's greatest player" at the time

fergpie

kaka vs man united - champions legue semi final. destroyed them in both legs

Nalz

McShane vs Czech Republic

bark wiv me now!

DOC09UNAM

Johner wrote: »

Ronaldo at Old Trafford for Real Madrid against United.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQKvLWTFEqs

I have to agree with this to be honest.

Although, Keane vs Juve is a very close second.

Fizman

Rivaldo - Hattrick - Last game of the season 2000/01 - 20 yard bicylce kick in the final seconds.


This for me outweighs others for the sheer magnitude of the fixture. Three of the best goals you'll see, again an amazing defensive team, on the final day to clinch CL qualification, earning the club many millions with one of the best goals in the last decade.

Some player too.

bonerm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0-U3RsOKY

One worth mentioning just for sheer persistence.

Cypher_sounds

Johner wrote: »

Ronaldo at Old Trafford for Real Madrid against United.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQKvLWTFEqs

That performace really stands out for me too, he just took everyone's breath away that night at Old Trafford when there was huge excitement from all us United fans about that match that we would get to the CL semi's. He got a standing ovation from everyone inside OT and it was much deserved.

rednik

curry-muff wrote: »

Keano v Juve

/thread

Defo.

flahavaj

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

That performace really stands out for me too, he just took everyone's breath away that night at Old Trafford when there was huge excitement from all us United fans about that match that we would get to the CL semi's. He got a standing ovation from everyone inside OT and it was much deserved.

Its the only time an opposition player has been so good that I didn't mind losing to him.

That aside Keane - Juve is my answer here too. He willed his teammates into the final by wanting it more than anyone on the pitch. It was incredible.

steelcityblues

Frank de Boer in the 1998 WC semi final against Brazil.

Helix

cant take the opinion of anyone who said anything other than mcgrath seriously again in the soccer forum

really cant

steelcityblues

Helix wrote: »

cant take the opinion of anyone who said anything other than mcgrath seriously again in the soccer forum

really cant

Why? Great performance of course, but it hardly stands on its own in football history.

Helix

steelcityblues wrote: »

Why? Great performance of course, but it hardly stands on its own in football history.

if mcgrath was italian it would have gone down as the greatest defensive performance of all time

Paully D

Some great shouts so far, and I'd probably have to say Keane V Juventus would be mine too. Gerrard V AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final would be another good shout IMO.

Also, I'd like to put forward one many people won't know about, but Mark Bosnich V Sunderland in 1993/1994 is definitely up there for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu8QuL4919w

We battered them and still lost 1-4, thanks to Bosnich. The greatest goalkeeping display I've seen. Ron Atkinson said after the match: ''There was only ever one team in it.....and they lost'' :pac:

shano_88

Helix wrote: »

cant take the opinion of anyone who said anything other than mcgrath seriously again in the soccer forum

really cant

I was 6 at the time so cant remember it at all. It was obviously a fantastic performance but there was other performances up there with it imo.

eagle eye

bonerm wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0-U3RsOKY

One worth mentioning just for sheer persistence.

I think anybody who didn't see Maradona play and hears people talking about how much he was fouled should look at this video. You only get a sample here but this happened to him in every game in almost every game. He was only a shadow of himself by the final that year. He was wearing special pads on the back of his calfs to protect them during that tournament because of how much he was being fouled.

Anyways I think this is the greatest performance I've ever seen by one player and its the same man. Its the World Cup semi-final against Belgium in 1986. I remember watching it live and all of us that were watching it were just in awe at how he played in that game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRGF9i5pH4

OPENROAD

So many great performances from the Arsenal legend, but his performance in the second half was just amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYG5DbF6fS0

Pauleta

Ciaran Kelly against Shamrock Rovers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTs0bMw8LuI

jive

I don't know what was the best tbh. Messi destroying Arsenal last year is up there for me but it was all too easy which makes me think it's not the best.

Too young to remember whole performances pre-1998 tbh and have only seen highlights from previous world cups. I still remember Zidane in the world cup final in 1998 and what better stage to do it on so that is up there. Also his performance against Brazil in 06 I think. 2 serious performances against Brazil!

eternal

Its embarrassing to admit but I only fell in love with footie 5 years ago ,watching the 06 WC just out of hospital bedbound.
Cos Im female too I wouldnt have been a fan as a kid much either.But I am a fan of Zidane and I cried when they lost the Wc that year ,the way the Italians acted.
Yes babbling ,just saying thought the Zidane clip was good and Henry ,what a player ,won the Golden Boot more than anyone other player ,its so bad he really destroyed himself in latter years.
So I cant say really ,dont know any of the other references ,and the vid are blocked.Is it wrong to be a recent fan ? Some references to history I dont understand ,doesnt make me love it any less.
And why has no one mentioned Defoe in the 9-1 win? That was some feat .

daithijjj

Maradona in 86, no ifs, no buts, no debate. And he did it all while getting 7 shades kicked out of him. Infact he got the sh1t kicked out of him most of his career at every team he played for. Because back then, 'protection' did not exist like it does today.

Giggsy11

Ronaldo Vs ManUtd at OT.
Keane Vs Juventus
Ronaldinho Vs Madrid (That was some performance)
Zidane Vs Brazil.

All are my favs, dont know which one to rate higher than other.

Seaneh

Redondo Vs. United, champions league, season before he left Madrid for Milan, he was flawless that night.


Kaka vs. United in 2007, he raped United both legs.

_blank_

jive wrote: »

Too young to remember whole performances pre-1998

this makes me sad

I feel so old.

LuckyLloyd

Keane versus Portugal at Landsdowne was better than his epic turn against Juventus FWIW. The disparity in talent between the sides was much greater than it was that night in Turin, and he had to shore up an extremely shakey back line of Staunton and Dunne (neither had started a Premiership game in months by the day in question).

iregk

Any of Maradonnas games in the '86 WC. I wasn't aware of them at the time but I've since watched them and my god he was sensational.

In my conscious life of watching the game two stand out.

1. McGrath v Italy '94. Simply an impenetrable fortress.

2. Dejan Savićević same year euro final for Milan. The architect in a majestic destroying of Barcelona.

busyliving

Johnny Howson(for Leeds) against Man Utd in the FA Cup third round a few years back. His inch perfect pass to Beckford which resulted in us winning 1-0. Despite Beckford trying everything in his power to miss it:D

After that it would have to be Keane's performance against Juve, which was made all the more spectacular considering his was going to miss the final...one of the great performances from a player ever

iregk

busyliving wrote: »

After that it would have to be Keane's performance against Juve, which was made all the more spectacular considering his was going to miss the final...one of the great performances from a player ever

Strange that Andy Cole was awarded MOTM by the viewers in Italy, Gazetta and Corriere della sport!!!

Liam O

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Keane versus Portugal at Landsdowne was better than his epic turn against Juventus FWIW. The disparity in talent between the sides was much greater than it was that night in Turin, and he had to shore up an extremely shakey back line of Staunton and Dunne (neither had started a Premiership game in months by the day in question).

was at that game and was amazed at how he was everywhere, if it wasn't for Figo it would have been a better day but then he wasn't a bad player himself that day Was scared shítless everytime Figo had it that day...

Predalien

Helix wrote: »

cant take the opinion of anyone who said anything other than mcgrath seriously again in the soccer forum

really cant

It's definitely the best defensive performance I've ever watched, it just got better and better as the game went on, psychologically I don't think the Italians thought there was a way past him.

veXual

Bit of a controversial one but I have to put Beckham v Greece in 2001 as one of the best performances I've seen in terms of sheer determination and guts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rI6FO6TfXg

Peyton Manning

[plug] Ronaldo vs Man Utd [/plug]

premierstone

Maradonna in '86 (pick any match he was amazing in everyone of them) and McGrath in '94 are the two single most amazing performances by a player I have ever witnessed.

Keane against Juve was brilliant but is not in the same class as the two above, if he wasnt suspended for the final it never would have been even highlighted to be honest and as someone pointed out he didnt even get man of the match in alot of quarters. It was Keane at hes best, a pure refusal to accept anything but victory but both Maradonna and McGrath's performances had that x-factor if you like, when you were watching them your jaw was actually on the ground, in a ''how to fcuk did he do that'' way.

Ulysses Gaze

Maradona for Napoli v Milan at the San Paolo in the 1988/89 season. They destroyed Saachi's Milan 4-1 and Maradona was the architect. Made the Milan defence look like Sunday League defenders.

Maradona in Mexico 1986 - Pretty much every game.

Big Paul McGrath v Italy in 1994 - Best performance by an Irish player for Club or Country that I have seen. Considering he was injured at the time, half-cut and playing in 90 degree heat in his thirties, just phenomenal. Marked Baggio and Signori out of the game.

jmayo

Helix wrote: »

cant take the opinion of anyone who said anything other than mcgrath seriously again in the soccer forum

really cant

McGrath's performance that day in Giants Stadium was awesome.
He stopped everything and from memory I think it was Babb he was partnering.
He was facing an attack led by Baggio and Signori who had great seasons.
It has to be the best every Irish display and best ever defensive display I have witnessed.

eagle eye wrote: »

I think anybody who didn't see Maradona play and hears people talking about how much he was fouled should look at this video. You only get a sample here but this happened to him in every game in almost every game. He was only a shadow of himself by the final that year. He was wearing special pads on the back of his calfs to protect them during that tournament because of how much he was being fouled.

Anyways I think this is the greatest performance I've ever seen by one player and its the same man. Its the World Cup semi-final against Belgium in 1986. I remember watching it live and all of us that were watching it were just in awe at how he played in that game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRGF9i5pH4

Maradona in 86 provides the greatest displays I will ever remember.
He dragged a team through.
That tournament showed he was better than Pele or anyone else because he wasn't surrounded with great players in that team.
Even in the final after Germany put on "the Monster" to batter Brown who had dislocated his shoulder and had it in his jersey.
After the Germans had equaliser with ten minutes to go, it was Maradona that produced a briliant pass out of crowed midfield to set Burruchaga off to score the winner.
He didn't just dominate a single match, he dominated an entire tournament.
In that tournament he scored the best goal ever seen in top class football and the little fellow even managed to outjump Peter Shilton.

daithijjj wrote: »

Maradona in 86, no ifs, no buts, no debate. And he did it all while getting 7 shades kicked out of him. Infact he got the sh1t kicked out of him most of his career at every team he played for. Because back then, 'protection' did not exist like it does today.

And people nowadays think Messi gets roughed up.

JerryHandbag

Packie Bonner deserves a mention too, for keeping Lineker Beardsley etc from scoring what looked like an inevitable equaliser in Stuttgart in Euro 88. Nothing was getting past him that day.

Jordonvito

Gareth Bale v Inter deserves a mention

Luap

Carra vs Milan Istanbul.

iregk

Jordonvito wrote: »

Gareth Bale v Inter deserves a mention

Deserves a mention of not being anywhere near the level we're discussing here.

As for the Carra one please. Are we going to lower the thread to "such and such once had a decent game"? In that case Essien played great against Barca a couple of years back. Was it the best by a player we've ever seen? not a bloody chance. Wasn't even the best of that season. Carra wasn't even the best player on the pitch that night!

Cypher_sounds

Maloney_o9 wrote: »

Carra vs Milan Istanbul.

Couldn't have been that great if he was in a defence that conceded 3 goals, im sure as a defender he has had better games when Liverpool kept clean sheets.

KeithAFC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBHD0BHxQPE

Thierry Henry - The greatest.

Beefy78

Keane vs Juventus obviously stands out.

Being English though I'll go for Beckham vs Greece. I've never seen a game in which a player seemed to cover as much grass as Beckham seemed to that day. No one else in a white shirt turned up so he played right back, right midfield, centre midfield and up front for 92 minutes before popping in a trademark freekick in the 93rd. Amazing.

Frank Black

I seem to remember Fabregas getting applauded by the Milan fans in the San Siro in 2008 Champions League.

Probably not the same standard as McGrath or Keane's performances but for another Irish player, I remember the 2002 World Cup QF against Spain. Duff had an amazing game IMO - every time he got the ball he ran at the Spanish and caused mayhem- can't remember who the full back was but he's probably still having nightmares.

Pity he only very occasionally reproduced this form for Ireland.

Brain Stroking

black francis wrote: »

I seem to remember Fabregas getting applauded by the Milan fans in the San Siro in 2008 Champions League.

Probably not the same standard as McGrath or Keane's performances but for another Irish player, I remember the 2002 World Cup QF against Spain. Duff had an amazing game IMO - every time he got the ball he ran at the Spanish and caused mayhem- can't remember who the full back was but he's probably still having nightmares.

Pity he only very occasionally reproduced this form for Ireland.

The full back was Carlos Puyol. Doubt he's having nightmares about Duff but the Duffer was very good that day i'll admit

Some great performances there for sure lads.

I'm gonna go with something slightly different.

Valeron for Deportivo vs AC Milan in the champion league.

They lost the first leg 4-1 but he was absolutely amazing in that game, his passing and vision a joy to behold. In the second leg he completely ran the game and was the architect of Milans downfall. A fantastic performance over two legs by a wonderful player.