The most memorable football moments of 2021
The year 2021 has turned out to be extremely eventful and brought not only many sports betting opportunities but also an array of unforgettable football moments. Previously postponed and long-awaited scheduled football tournaments with tremendous sensations and unexpected triumphs – this is how we will remember 2021.
Have you made a fortune betting online on football this year? Then it is safe to say that the outgoing year was not in vain, congrats! Let’s look back to remember which soccer events were the brightest ones.
Most memorable football moments 2021
The long-expected EURO 2020
EURO 2020 as a whole was an awesome tournament. Italy, which was not in the main pool of favorites before the start of the championship, unexpectedly became the victor. Roberto Mancini’s team performed greatly, defeating Belgium and Spain in the playoffs and beating England in London in the final.
In addition to the unexpected champs, the EURO gave us even more sensations. These were the Danes, who reached the semifinals, and the Swiss, who nearly knocked out the Spanish in the quarterfinals. Also, it’s been a long time since the English played in the finals of major tournaments.
The Brazilian festival of football: 2021 Copa América
Simultaneously with the European battles, the tough struggle for the America Cup took place. The tournament was won by Argentina for the first time since 1993. Playing for White and Sky Blues, the captain Lionel Messi shone brilliantly and, with his four scored goals, shared first place with Colombia’s Luis Diaz in the goalscoring race. The footballer with his five assists also became the best assistant of the tournament! Although it was the only goal scored by Angel Di Maria that decided the title, there were no doubts about who would get the 2021 Copa America best player award!
Chelsea’s sensational Champions League success
London’s Chelsea became the discovery of the year in world soccer as Thomas Tuchel’s young team, without top-flight superstars, won the Champions League for the first time in eight years, defeating Manchester City in the final. After their triumph in the Champions League, the Blues also won the UEFA Super Cup and, now, are competing with Manchester City and Liverpool for the English Premier League title.
Well-deserved honors 2021
Messi’s success wasn’t limited to Copa’s achievements. A bit later, a star broke his own record, winning the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time. Having scored 613 points in the final vote, the Argentinian outpaced the main favorite of the ceremony, Bayern’s forward, Robert Lewandowski! We hope that Robert Lewandowski was not too upset because he won another prestigious award – the Golden Shoe and is now rightly considered the best scorer in European soccer.
Jorginho won the UEFA Footballer of the Year award. The Italian became the best in Europe, beating such rivals as N’Golo Kanté and Kevin De Bruyne. Jorginho was instrumental in Chelsea winning the Champions League trophy in May. Also, the Italian was a key participant of the Italian national team under Roberto Mancini at Euro 2020 in July. The award was decided by journalists and coaches from across the continent, in particular, the coaches of last season’s Champions League and Europa League clubs, as well as the coaches of the national teams that participated in Euro 2020.
It’s hard to talk about soccer honors without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the Portuguese football player is about to celebrate his 37th birthday, he has managed to set the most significant records of 2021! He was also included in the IFFHS Best European XI of 2021. The giant has broken many world records and continues to score consistently for his new club. In fact, he has proven that he has won almost everything that can be won in soccer history: in 2021, he broke Pele’s record of 766 goals; this summer, he was honored to become the only player to ever participate in five consecutive iterations of the European Championship in different countries.
Top football matches of 2021
Copa América playoffs started with a flurry! Peru vs. Paraguay battle, in particular, stands out – 6 goals scored and 2 red cards shown, all in equal parts, and an incredible penalty shootout which propelled Peru into the semifinals!
Admit it, you weren’t expecting much from the match between France and Switzerland at EURO 2020, were you? And the victory of the favorite seemed to be the most expected outcome. And in reality, we got a fantastic, spectacular, and bright game with an unexpected turn of events – Switzerland knocked France out of Euro 2020! The clear favorite of the tournament, the reigning world champion, France, lost in a penalty shootout to Switzerland. Mbappe “buried” the world champions in a fiery match!
Arguably, one of the most unexpected results of the Premier League season was the Manchester United – Liverpool matchup. The Red Devils had already conceded five goals by the 50th minute! This is perhaps the most resounding home defeat in the history of the league!
Top goals of 2021
A goalkeeper’s goal, especially the one scored from open play, is rare in soccer. And if this goal gave an overtime win and helped the team in the race for the Champions League slot, then it’s just a super goal! That’s what we saw in the 95th minute of the Liverpool – West Ham battle on week 36 of the EPL. Primed for the Champions League, Liverpool needed to beat West Ham United away; the scoreboard showed 1-1. And it was Alisson Becker, the Reds’ goalkeeper, who came on to take a corner kick. The Brazilian headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery from the corner flag and kept Liverpool’s dream of the Champions League alive!
Another awesome goal was recognized as the best one at EURO 2020. In the group stage match Scotland vs. the Czech Republic, Czech forward Patrik Schick stood out for knocking out Scotland on his own. He became the second player to net double and set a new tournament record by skillfully poking the ball home from a distance of 45.5 meters – the longest goal in the history of European championships!
Yet another stunning goal graced the EPL match between Arsenal and Tottenham within the 29th round. It seemed that the scenario did not contain any surprises. The Spurs played in their habitual way – defended deeply, without insisting on possession. Arsenal, in its turn, methodically pressed their opponents, taking the lead. But in the 33rd minute of the game, the Argentine Erik Lamela (who came on to replace the injured Son Heung-min), surrounded by the Gunners, beat the odds – he sent the ball into the far corner, bringing his team a goal! The incredible trick was consequently recognized as the goal of the season!
