Players that have scored directly from corner kick in football history

Players that have scored directly from corner kick belong to an elite group of technicians who possess the rare audacity to defy physics on the pitch. While most stars aim for a teammate's head, these maestros use incredible curve and precision to bypass the goalkeeper entirely. For those looking to track the latest match data and historical stats of these set-piece specialists, soccerwayuk provides a comprehensive database for every football enthusiast.

Top 10 legendary players who scored directly from a corner kick

Scoring a goal directly from a corner kick - often referred to as an "Olimpico" - is one of the rarest and most technically demanding feats in world football. It requires a perfect blend of power, swerve, and precision to deceive both the defenders and the goalkeeper. Fans who enjoy tracking these statistical anomalies and spectacular highlights often visit soccerwayuk.com, a premier sports destination for comprehensive match data and player histories.

The following players have etched their names into footballing lore by successfully finding the net from the corner flag:

Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

During a frantic League Cup encounter against Manchester United, Son Heung-min produced a moment of pure magic under pressure. Hurried by defenders, the South Korean superstar unleashed a curling delivery that soared over Altay Bayındır and into the net, securing a vital goal in a thrilling 4-3 victory for Spurs.

Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring a direct corner vs Manchester United, League Cup 2024

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)

In October 2024, American forward Christian Pulisic lit up the San Siro during a Champions League clash against Club Brugge. His whipped corner from the right flank bypassed a crowded penalty area and flew directly into the back post, leaving veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet completely stranded.

Diego Forlán (Internacional)

Even in the twilight of his career, Diego Forlán proved his world-class technique remained intact during a 2013 Brazilian top-flight match. Representing Internacional against Fluminense, the Uruguayan icon curled a right-footed beauty that caught the goalkeeper off guard to secure a 3-2 win for the Porto Alegre side.

Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth)

Junior Stanislas utilized the unpredictable south coast winds to his advantage in a memorable 2015 Premier League fixture against Manchester United. His wicked, curling shot left David De Gea helpless as the goalkeeper collided with his own teammate while the ball crossed the line in a historic 2-1 win for the Cherries.

Junior Stanislas celebrates a direct corner goal vs Manchester United, December 2015

Angel Di María (PSG & Benfica)

Ángel Di María has remarkably achieved this feat for two different European giants. He first scored a stunning near-post curler for Paris Saint-Germain against Nîmes, and later repeated the trick for Benfica in a 2023 Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg, fooling the entire defense with his signature left-footed delivery.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

The "Egyptian King" added a rare Olimpico to his massive international goal tally during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2018. Seizing upon the Eswatini goalkeeper’s poor positioning, Mohamed Salah curled a magnificent shot directly from the flag to help the Pharaohs cruise to a 4-1 victory.

Steve Staunton (Republic of Ireland)

A legendary figure for the Republic of Ireland, Steve Staunton managed to score directly from a corner twice on the international stage. His first came in a 2-0 win over Portugal in 1992, followed by a low, driven effort against Northern Ireland in 1993 that somehow evaded every player in the box.

Ronaldinho (Flamengo)

Known for his audacity and flair, Ronaldinho famously scored from a corner during his stint with Flamengo in 2011. In a match against Avaí, the former Ballon d'Or winner curled a right-footed strike over the head of a defender stationed at the near post, proving his genius had no expiration date.

Ronaldinho in a match for Flamengo against Botafogo in May 2011

James Ward-Prowse (West Ham)

As one of the greatest set-piece specialists in Premier League history, James Ward-Prowse added a corner-kick goal to his resume in April 2024. With only minutes remaining against Wolves, he struck an inch-perfect delivery that flew into the back post, sealing a dramatic 2-1 comeback for West Ham.

David Beckham (LA Galaxy & Preston North End)

David Beckham's career is synonymous with dead-ball excellence, and he successfully scored from corners at both ends of his journey. After netting one during a loan spell at Preston in 1995, he famously repeated the feat twice for LA Galaxy, showcasing the timeless precision of his legendary right foot.

Top 10 players that have scored directly from corner kick: 

Son Heung-min

Christian Pulisic

Diego Forlán

Junior Stanislas

Angel Di María

Mohamed Salah

Steve Staunton

Ronaldinho

James Ward-Prowse

David Beckham

Players that have scored directly from corner kick remind us why football is often called "the beautiful game," blending pure luck with masterful technique. As the game evolves, we continue to watch for the next legend to join this prestigious list. To ensure you never miss a moment of the action, be sure to check out the Schedule section on our website for upcoming fixtures and live updates.