Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
Lazio’s equalizer at the death was the best goal of the first day of Champions League play
Champions League group play got underway on Tuesday, and while there were some surprising results from the first slate of matches — Newcastle earning a draw at AC Milan among them — nothing can possibly top the ending to the match between Lazio and Atletico Madrid.
Midfielder Pablo Barrios slotted home a right-footed shot in the 29th minute to give visiting Atletico Madrid an early 1-0 lead.
They would carry that lead deep into stoppage time, when Lazio brought everyone forward in search of the equalizer, including keeper Ivan Provedel.
On a last-minute corner Lazio found that equalizer, thanks to Provedel himself:
LAZIO GOALKEEPER IVAN PROVEDEL SCORES WITH THE LAST TOUCH OF THE GAME
Only the second keeper in Champions League HISTORY to score a non-penalty. pic.twitter.com/wMpUhnMwg7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2023
As noted, Provedel became just the second keeper in Champions League history to score on a non-penalty. His header sent the crowd at Stadio Olimpico into an absolute frenzy, which continued well after the final whistle.
That frenzy included Provedel’s teammates lifting him up in celebration:
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
Perhaps the equalizer was foretold. As noted by ESPN FC, the numbers involved might have given us a clue this goal was coming:
Lazio’s goalkeeper Ivan Provedel is 1.94M tall, was born in 1994, wears the number 94 on his back and scored in 90+4 minutes to equalise.
Some things are meant to be pic.twitter.com/87iiYuVKrA
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 20, 2023
Lazio supporters might believe that some things were meant to be, after what they saw Tuesday.
Given that this was the first-ever Champions League match between the two sides, one can only imagine what the encore will have in store.
