Credit: Twitter
Lazio goalkeeper I van Provedel secured a crucial point for his team at the death of their Champions League Group E match against Atletico Madrid when he headed in the equalizer in the 95th minute. Surprisingly, the keeper didn’t celebrate in an overly emphatic manner, but his team and the support staff ran towards him to celebrate the equalizing goal.
Provedel became the first goalkeeper to score in a Champions League match since Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama achieved the feat for Hapoel Tel Aviv 13 years ago, and only the fourth overall. Five minutes into stoppage time, Provedel came up the pitch for a last-ditch effort from the corner and headed home a cross from Luis Alberto with one of the final touches of the game.
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Provedel said after the game, “I couldn't really speak to Sarri at that point, there was a lot of confusion. They just told me there were 30 seconds left, so I went... Luis Alberto goes for the far post from there, so I just went to the only empty space." He further explained the calm celebration as he said, “I don't think I realise anything at that time. In football, both good and bad times are fast. We're playing in the league on Saturday, where we aren't doing well. I'm enjoying it tonight but we got a point, we didn't win."
Watch Provedel's 95th-minute equaliser against Atletico Madrid:
Provedel's goal was the sixth by a goalkeeper in the Champions League and only the second from open play after Sinan Bolat scored for Standard Liege against AZ Alkmaar in 2009. In another coincidence, Provedel has previously scored such a goal, as he headed a last-minute header for Juve Stabia to secure a 2-2 draw away to Ascoli in Serie B in 2020.
Watch the video here:
Despite Lazio dominating Madrid throughout the game, Pablo Barrios scored for Atletico in the first half with a shot that took a big deflection off Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada. The Italians couldn’t go past Jan Oblak despite six attempts on goal until Provedel scored. Lazio will next face Celtic on matchday 2 of the Champions League, while Athletico Madrid will face Feyenoord.
