Two Valencia CF goals named amongst the best in Champions League history

Valencia CF have made their mark on the Champions League right from their first season in the competition in its current incarnation, 20 years ago. Their big wins over the likes of SS Lazio, FC Barcelona and Leeds United, thrilling games against Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Liverpool and Internazionale, two finals reached in consecutive years and recent results against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge and AFC Ajax in Amsterdam come to mind when one thinks of their European exploits.

Prestigious publication France Football have ranked the 50 best goals in Champions League history, and two strikes for Valencia CF appear on the list. In 11th place is Claudio López’ volley against PSV Eindhoven in September of 1999. It was part of the club’s first campaign in the Champions League, and came after they had bested Hapoel Haifa in a qualifying round. They would finish top of a group that included Bayern Munich, Glasgow Rangers and PSV, with the goal from the Argentine the best of the stage.

The match itself ended in a draw, but four minutes in López got off the mark with a deft first time hit with his left foot. Ruud Van Nistelrooy would equalise with a 72nd minute penalty, but there was no doubt as to what the standout moment of the game was.

Joining ‘Piojo’ on France Football’s list is another Valencia CF goal: In 42nd place is a goal from David Silva, scored against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Last 16 First Leg in 2006/07.

- FRANCE FOOTBALL’S BEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALS

1. Zidane (Real Madrid) against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002
2. Bressan (Fiorentina) against Barcelona in 1999
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) against Juventus in 2018
4. Stankovic (Internazionale) against Schalke 04 in 2011
5. Mexès (Milan) against Anderlecht in 2012
6. Bale (Real Madrid) against Liverpool in 2018
7. Essien (Chelsea) against Barcelona in 2009
8. Mandzukic (Juventus) against Real Madrid in 2017
9. Ronaldinho (Barcelona) against Chelsea in 2005
10. Ramsey (Arsenal) against Galatasaray in 2014
11. Claudio López (Valencia) against PSV Eindhoven in 1999
12. Ziyech (Ajax) against Chelsea in 2019
13. Hugo Almeida (Porto) against Internazionale in 2005
14. Savicevic (Milan) against Barcelona in 1994
15. Messi (Barcelona) against Liverpool in 2019
16. Van Basten (Milan) against Gothenburg in 1992
17. Weah (PSG) against Bayern Munich in 1994
18. Ibrahimovic (PSG) against Anderlecht in 2013
19. Hagi (Galatasaray) against Monaco in 2000
20. Giannakopoulos (Olympiakos) against Oporto in 1997
21. Coridon (PSG) against Oporto in 2004
22. Crouch (Liverpool) against Galatasaray in 2006
23. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) against Porto in 2009
24. Robben (Bayern Munich) against Manchester United in 2010
25. Eto'o (Barcelona) against Panathinaikos in 2005
26. Berbatov (Bayer Leverkusen) against Roma in 2004
27. Drogba (Chelsea) against Barcelona in 2006
28. Messi (Barcelona) against Bayern Munich in 2015
29. Henry (Arsenal) against Sparta Prague in 2005
30. Lucho González (Porto) against Hamburg in 2006
31. Sabizter (RB Leipzig) against Zenit in 2019
32. Lee Sharpe (Manchester United) against Barcelona in 1994
33. Messi (Barcelona) against Manchester United in 2009
34. Lampard (Chelsea) against Barcelona in 2006
35. Redondo-Raúl (Real Madrid) against Manchester United in 200.
36. Iniesta (Barcelona) against Chelsea in 2009
37. Zahavi (Apoel Tel Aviv) against Lyon in 2010
38. Ljungberg-Bergkamp (Arsenal) against Juventus in 2001
39. Messi (Barcelona) against Real Madrid in 2011
40. Veron (Lazio) against Feyenoord in 2000
41. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) against Arsenal in 2009
42. David Silva (Valencia) against Chelsea in 2007
43. Papin (Milan) against Porto in 1993
44. Perisic (Borussia Dortmund) against Arsenal in 2011
45. Mancini (Roma) against Lyon in 2007
46. González (Panathinaikos) against Arsenal in 2004
47. Mikael Nillson (Gothenburg) against PSV in 1993
48. Deivid (Fenerbahçe) against Chelsea in 2008
49. Juninho (Lyon) against Bayern Munich in 2003
50. Henry (Arsenal) against Real Madrid in 2006