Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Goal by Di Stéfano

It was 1957. Spain was playing Belgium.

Miguel caught the Belgian defense sleeping, penetrated on the right and volleyed a cross kick to center. Di Stéfano leaped forward, diving full-length, and scored with a backheel from the air.

Alfredo Di Stéfano, the Argentine star who became a Spaniard, had a habit of scoring goals like that. Any open net was an unforgivable crime meriting immediate punishment, and he carried out the sentence by stabbing at it like a mischievous elf.