Diogo Jota’s goal for Portugal last night left Don Goodman in awe of the Liverpool man.
Jota bulleted a header into the bottom corner to put Portugal 2-0 against Turkey before half-time. Commentating for Sky Sports, Goodman couldn’t praise the forward’s technique enough.
“I can’t tell you how good a header this is,” he said via Sky Sports Football (2mins 8secs). “The keeper expected him to head it back across the goal.”
“The power and accuracy he’s generated, he’s not the biggest but my word, he scores some stunning headed goals.”
That he does. Jota’s prowess in the air is quite remarkable and this was one of his best. Coming on to a hanging cross from Otavio, Liverpool’s number 20 managed to head the ball with a stunning amount of pace.
Heading it down towards the ‘keeper’s near-post, it crashed into the net and allowed Portugal to cruise through the rest of the game. Goodman was suitably impressed.
“That is as good a header as you’re likely to see. Power and accuracy, unbelievable and the goalkeeper – absolutely no chance.”
Heading for the World Cup
Jota’s ability to score so many headed goals, despite his size, remains something of a mystery. At 5ft 10in, he’s actually bigger than he looks. But he’s still always far from being the tallest player in any given penalty box.
For Liverpool, he is a constant menace in the air, and has six headed goals since joining The Reds in 2020. An excellent record.
But breaking down his goals for Portugal reveals that he is even more lethal for his national team.
The 25-year-old’s header last night was his fifth in A Selecao’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Amazingly, every single one of those goals has come via his head.
That means that of Jota’s nine goals for Portugal, over half of them have been headers. Unbelievable.
Of course, as one of the finest poacher’s around, Jota won’t care how they go in. But it’s a fantastic skill to add to his frighteningly complete goalscoring ability.
Thursday night’s header may have been the best of his career yet. But don’t be surprised if Diogo adds an even better one to take Portugal to the World Cup next Tuesday.
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