South American star scores 'Puskas contender' with outrageous shot from his own half

Matias Rojas, of Argentine side Racing Club, has been lauded after finding the net with a jaw-dropping strike from inside his own half against Chile's Nublense in the Copa Libertadores

Mark Whiley Sports Reporter

17:05, 07 Apr 2023

Matias Rojas celebrates his long-range effort for Racing Club(Image: Reddit)

A South American footballer is being touted for the prestigious Puskas goal of the year award after scoring with an incredible strike from well inside his own half.

The goal happened in the first round of group matches in the Copa Libertadores – South America’s version of the Champions League – as Nublense of Chile hosted Argentine side Racing Club in Group A.

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Early in the game, after a Nublense attack broke down, Racing midfielder Matias Rojas picked up the ball well inside his own half. With little on, the 27-year-old chanced his arm with an audacious effort from around 60 yards out.

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Clearly, Nublense goalkeeper Nicola Perez was not expecting a shot on goal from that range and was caught hopelessly out of position, with the ball sailing over his head, evading his desperate dive and bouncing into the net. Racing went on to win 2-0.

A clip of the goal was posted on Reddit, drawing praise from fans around the world. Several said it should make Rojas a contender for the Puskas Award, named in honour of Hungarian Ferenc Puskas, which is given to the scorer of the best goal in a goal calendar year.

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Racing Club's Matias Rojas shoots from well inside his own half(Image: Reddit)

“Is it me or is it a type for him, Puskas?,” asked one fan. Another agreed, adding: “Nope, not just you, this one is an absolute beauty worthy of the Puskas.” A third posted: “I swear every goal this guy scores is an absolute banger lol.”

However, other fans questioned Perez, putting the goal down as a goalkeeping error.

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One fan wondered: “Waaaay longer distance than I expected when the video started. I always wonder what it feels like to be the keeper on these.”

Nicola Perez's dive is in vain as the ball bounces across the line to give Racing Club the lead(Image: Reddit)

Another observed: “Keeper is beating the flight of the ball if he keeps running back. It even bounces before going in...”

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A third said: “I wonder if, in this case, he could've not jumped for it and cleared it closer to the line.” Meanwhile, a fourth added: “Not even close, blatant goalkeeper mistake.”

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