Goal of the century

Updated: Nov 13

1999-00 Season

Game 4, Serie A

Sunday September 26, 1999

Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma

Parma Lazio 1-2

The Biancocelesti win at Parma thanks to an incredible goal from Almeyda.

The 1999-00 season opened with the victory against the mighty Manchester United in Monte Carlo for the UEFA Super Cup with a Marcelo Salas goal.

In campionato the Biancocelesti had won their two home games and drawn at Bari. They were first together with Inter, Fiorentina and Juventus.

The match

Lazio lost Pavel Nedved early on. Saliou Lassissi in the 5th minute in an attempt to kick the ball kicked the Czech on the thigh leaving a large cut and he was forced off substituted by Sergio Conceição.

Shortly after, Salas to Alen Boksic in the box. The Croat was challenged by a Parma defender, but the ball arrived to Conceição who however passed it to Gianluigi Buffon. In the 11th minute corner for Lazio. Sinisa Mihajlovic crossed for Juan Sebastian Veron outside the box, his volley was only slightly wide. Former Lazio Diego Fuser attempted a shot in the 20th minute but Marco Ballotta was able to parry into corner. In the 24th minute Marcelo Salas and Antonio Benarrivo clashed heads. Moments of panic as the Parma right back passed out for a few seconds. He was forced off, substituted by Michele Serena.

In the 30th minute Lazio scored. Salas headed the ball to Boksic in the box, the Croat turned around and crossed, Serena cleared but basically passed the ball to Salas who shot. Alain Boghossian threw himself towards the ball but his deflection fooled Buffon who could do nothing to avoid the goal.

Parma had a chance immediately after following a free kick but Marcio Amoroso was unable to find the goal. Lazio on the counter attack with Matias Almeyda, cross into the middle, Boksic alone in front of Buffon could not find the right impact with the ball.

In the 58th minute a wonderful long ball from Sinisa Mihajlovic in the Lazio half to Salas in the Parma box, ball chested down and volleyed towards the goal, Buffon was magical. Shortly after Amoroso crossed for Fabio Cannavaro who promptly shot, Ballotta saved. In the 61st minute Parma equalised. Corner, Amoroso headed the ball onto the crossbar, ball back in the box and headed again by Boghossian into the goal. A pity, Lazio were in total control of the match.

In the 69th minute the goal of the century. Beppe Favalli crossed, Lillian Thuram cleared, the ball was 35 metres out on the left and Almeyda decided to shoot. A surface-to-air missile into the top hand corner for the best goal ever in Lazio history. Parma 1 Lazio 2.

Lazio put the game to rest and brought home the three points.

Who played for Parma

Buffon, Lassissi, Thuram, Cannavaro, Fuser, D. Baggio (77' Vanoli), Boghossian (67' Breda), Benarrivo (28' Serena), Ortega, Crespo, Amoroso

Substitutes: Micillo, Torrisi, Di Vaio, Stanic

Manager: Malesani.

Who played for Lazio

Ballotta, Pancaro, Nesta, Mihajlovic, Favalli, Veron (87’ Sensini), Almeyda, Simeone, Nedved (7’ Conceição), Boksic (72’ Lombardo), Salas