Arda Guler and the 68-metre ‘golazo’ that sent the Bernabeu wild

There did not seem to be much danger for Elche when Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler got on the ball deep in his own half late in Saturday evening’s La Liga game at the Bernabeu.

Guler immediately sized up the situation, though, and saw the chance to do something very, very special.

The Turkey international had spotted Elche goalkeeper Mathias Dituro had wandered far from his goal with play up the other end of the pitch.

So Guler took a touch to set himself and struck the ball high into the night sky. It flew over Dituro’s head, and although the Argentine-Chilean keeper turned and ran backwards, it was too late.

The perfectly struck shot bounced once before nestling in the net and Guler raised his fists in a remarkably understated celebration, considering what he had just done.

The Bernabeu crowd was already roaring in anticipation as the ball sailed through the air over Dituro’s head, and once the ball hit the net, the stadium rocked in acclamation of one of the most spectacular goals the stadium has ever seen.

It was the first goal scored in La Liga from a team’s own half in 15 years — and its distance of 68 metres reportedly made it the joint-longest range strike to ever find the net in Spanish football.

Guler’s celebration also saw him mobbed by delighted teammates and included a hug with coach Alvaro Arbeloa on the sideline.

“You should frame (the goal) and hang it on the wall,” said Arbeloa at his post-match news conference after his team’s 4-1 victory. “It’s something we’ve never seen before. Marvelous. Everyone put their hands to their heads, me too. It was worth the entrance price, or two or three, to see it.”

Madrid’s Brahim Diaz was asked on Real Madrid TV afterwards if he had ever seen anything like Guler’s goal.

“I don’t think so, although he did hit the crossbar once against Osasuna, and today it went in,” Brahim said. “He strikes the ball marvellously, it was a ‘golazo’.”

That was a reminder that Guler, with his technical quality and audacious imagination, is one of the few players who would even consider taking on a shot in that situation.

That attempt at Osasuna, which almost went in, came almost exactly two years ago in another La Liga game, when Madrid were also two goals ahead late on, giving him a no-risk opportunity, like the one he enjoyed on Saturday.

This time it went perfectly, and the timing could be excellent for both the 21-year-old and his team.

Everyone at Madrid is aware of Guler’s technical quality — the Turk (who has been compared in his country to former Madrid star David Beckham) is regularly given responsibility for free kicks and corner kicks, and has also provided some beautiful through balls for Kylian Mbappe this season.

However — given that talent — more is expected of Guler at the Bernabeu.

Saturday’s goal against Elche means he now has four goals and 13 assists in 43 games for Madrid this season, and almost three years after joining from Fenerbahce for €28million, he is yet to really establish himself as a key player in the team.

Earlier this term, under previous coach Xabi Alonso (who himself scored twice from his own half when playing for Liverpool in the 2000s), Guler often played in a deeper midfield role, attempting to fill the gap left in the team by the departure of legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in recent years.

And while Guler had some impressive displays in that role, he struggled physically in games against stronger opponents, especially in defeats in the autumn to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Liverpool in the Champions League, and Alonso appeared to lose faith in the idea.

Since taking over the job in January, Arbeloa has generally used Guler further forward. Injuries to other players — especially England international midfielder Jude Bellingham and Brazil winger Rodrygo — have opened up an opportunity for a more attacking role in the team over recent weeks.

Guler almost produced a world-class goal just a few weeks ago against Getafe, with a spectacular roulette spin past two defenders, but his shot was saved. That was especially disappointing as a 1-0 defeat in that game really hurt their chances in the La Liga title race against Barcelona.

Saturday evening’s amazing strike was the cherry on top of a 4-1 victory which moved Madrid to within one point of Barcelona at the top of the table, however the Catalans will move four clear again if they beat Sevilla at the Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday’s wonderstrike may end up being more seismic for Guler himself. There was already speculation at the Bernabeu on Saturday night that it would be a contender for the 2026 FIFA Puskas Award, for the most aesthetically pleasing goal scored all year.

Both player and his team will hope more such moments are on the way, and that Guler can show his undoubted quality more regularly in the biggest games, perhaps starting with Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at Manchester City.

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