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The Ultimate Free-Kick Rocket Was Scored On This Day 15 Years Ago

The Ultimate Free-Kick Rocket Was Scored On This Day 15 Years Ago

Hugo Almeida’s shot in the Champions League was recorded at an unbelievable 127 kmph.

Alex Reid

Alex Reid

Hugo Almeida scored one of the most unreal, rocket-powered free-kicks of all time 15 years ago today.

The Porto striker's goal has everything going for it: the booming thump as he connects, the speed and rise of the shot, the Total 90 boots and ball, even the sound it makes as it cracks the back of the net. Free-kicks get no sweeter.

Julio Cesar in the Inter Milan goal actually takes off quickly, but the ball flies past him as if it's been fired from a cannon. The shot, still rising as it hit the net, was later recorded at an astonishing speed of 127 kmph.

Almeida was just 21 years old when he lit up a Champions League group game with this thunderous strike on 2 November, 2005. It gave Porto a surprise 1-0 lead in the San Siro, although Inter came back to win 2-1 via a late double from Julio Cruz.

But it was Almeida's wonder strike - his first ever Champions League goal - for which this game is best remembered. And his goal is still causing waves on social media a decade and a half later.

The Portugal international left Porto the following season, going on loan to Werder Bremen before signing permanently for the Bundesliga club in 2007.

Almeida would go on to travel Europe, grabbing goals for Besiktas, AEK Athens and Hajduk Split. The 36-year-old is still playing now for Academica in Portugal.

But surely none of the goals he's scored since can match the absolutely perfect howitzer, which totally silenced the San Siro back in 2005.

All imagery: BT Sport/PA Images

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Topics: Football News, Football, Goals, porto, Champions League