By Chris Wright
To celebrate the fact that Paul Gascoigne was born on this very day 48 years ago, Pies thought we might doff our caps and dedicate a Random Great Goal in his honour.
When you think of Gazza’s goals for England it’s tough to think beyond *that* time he tied Colin Hendry’s blazing sunbeam-coloured mullet up in knots against Scotland at Euro 1996, but he did score some other rare old beauties at Wembley too.
Indeed, we’re skipping on a year to 10th September 1997, just 10 days after the death of Princess Diana, to England’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova ‘neath the Twin Towers.
Already 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Paul Scholes and Ian Wright, Gazza made it three ten minutes from the end by putting an almost liquid-smooth finish to a buccaneering counter-attack that cleaved the Moldovan defence in twain…
A goal that perfectly exemplifies why Gazza is so sorely missed by England fans of a certain vintage.
His goals are still so exciting to watch. All that swash, all that buckle. No po-faced lateral passing. No patiently playing through the lines. Just one exquisitely gifted and foolhardy man with an innate willingness to just charge past defenders.
We were originally going to opt for this similarly twisty-turny Gazza solo goal for Lazio against Pescara in 1992/93 as our RGG nomination, so we thought we’d throw it in anyway as a bit of a bonus.
Enjoy…
More Random Great Goals on Pies…
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink almost breaks the sound barrier
Brad Friedel joins the Ancient Masonic Order Of Goal-Scoring Goalies
Nwankwo Kanu’s cute-as-a-button backheel
Laurent Robert’s weird ninja volley
The most beautiful goal of Zico’s career, as voted by Zico
Jorge Campos (yes *that* Jorge Campos) scores a bicycle kick