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KASHIMA, Japan — Sometimes a great goal meets a great moment, and that's what happened to the Kashima Antlers of the Japanese J.League Wednesday.
The Antlers were down 3-2 as time was coming to an end, and players pushed forward for a last-ditch effort. A defender launched the ball toward the opposing goal from behind the midfield line and it dropped right into the box.
Brazilian forward Everaldo was there to receive it, flicked it away from goal over a defender and then did what every soccer player dreams of: flung his feet over his head and sent the ball sailing into the far post for an unbelievable bicycle-kick goal.
A goal that has to be seen to be believed.
— ESPN Asia (@ESPNAsia) July 6, 2022
Everaldo Stum's unbelievable 89th-minute bicycle kick from a ridiculous angle earned @atlrs_english a point in a six-goal thriller with @crz_english in the 🇯🇵 @J_League_En earlier tonight! pic.twitter.com/8llxD0SPje
The game ended in a 3-3 draw to give the Antlers a pleasantly surprising point in what seemed like a certain loss.
Soccer sites around the world started sharing the highlight — a perfect blend of beautiful and clutch — with some calling it an early contender for the Puskas Award, given each year to the best goal in the world.
"The Puskas Award is over already!" the Daily Mail said on Twitter.
The J.League's social media account called it "the bicycle kick of all bicycle kicks."
