Erik Lamela 'rabona' goal steals the show for Spurs - video
Amazing 20-yard trick shot overshadows hat-trick from Harry Kane in Europa League romp
Spurs winger Erik Lamela stole the show with a stunning 'rabona' goal in a crazy Europa League clash that ended with Tottenham's goalkeeper getting a standing ovation after earlier scoring three goals.
Lamela's 20-yard strike after half an hour was the pick of the home side's five goals against against Greek side Asteras, but a hat-trick scored by young striker Harry Kane was probably more significant. Kane ended the match playing in goal after Hugo Lloris was sent off and he quickly proved why he plays outfield as he let a tame free kick squirm past him and into the net.
But despite Kane's efforts at both ends of the pitch, it was Lamela who dominated the headlines.
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Manager Mauricio Pochettino showed no emotion when the goal went in, but later described it as "maybe the best" goal he had seen from one of his own players. Defender Jan Vertonghen agreed, describing it as "100 per cent the best goal I've ever seen live".
The 'rabona' involves kicking the ball with one leg wrapped behind the other. In Lamela's case it involved striking the ball with his left foot, while the ball was to the right of his standing leg.
"It is perhaps one of football’s most wanton and ostentatious acts of showboating, beloved of the gifted genius and the flash git alike. We always knew Lamela was the former, but perhaps there is a little of the latter in him as well," writes Jonathan Liew in the Daily Telegraph.
It is not an easy trick to master as many, including David Dunne of Birmingham City, have discovered to their cost.
But Lamela is not the only Premier League player to have used the trick to good effect in a match. Manchester United winger Angel di Maria has twice scored with a rabona, finding the net for Benfica and Real Madrid.
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