Football fans think German star has won the Puskas award with ludicrous halfway line strike

Mario Engels has put in a serious contender for the 2024 Puskas award after he netted from inside of his own half against Dutch giants on Sunday afternoon

Football fans are sure they've just seen the Puskas award won.

Mario Engels, who turns out for Heracles Almelo, netted a stunning strike from inside of his own half against Dutch giants Ajax. Josip Sutalo gifted the ball to the German, who, on his first touch, picked up his head and let fly.

Ajax's veteran shot-stopper Remko Pasveer could do nothing about the audacious attempt as he back-peddled to his own goal only to see the ball soar over his head.

"Puskas goal award winner confirmed," one fan declared as the clip went viral on social media. While a second replied, adding a fire emoji: "Goal of the season already!"

"Mario Engels just scored the goal of the year so far I think in any league!! OMG," a third said. And another added: "Goal of the season right there!"

It was a ding-dong battle at the Asito Stadion on Sunday afternoon, with the teams locked together at 3-3 with ten minutes on the clock.

The turning point would come when Manchester United flop Wout Weghorst netted his second of the game from the spot before Heracles midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker was handed his marching orders.

Engels was furious with the penalty, and he told ESPN after the game: "I think it's a typical Ajax penalty. It's not 50/50, it's 80/20 in my eyes. It's very soft, Wout is two meters tall. He's smart. But if this is one of them, you'll get ten penalties in a match from now on.

While Heracles boss Erwin van de Looi added: "What do you want me to say? You are not allowed to say anything anymore... He did it smart. He earned that penalty and that red card, he can be satisfied with that."