Josh Windass made headlines with a remarkable goal for Sheffield Wednesday against Derby County in the Championship, scoring from his own half in a stunning display of skill and awareness. His 62.2-yard strike has been hailed as one of the most audacious goals seen in English football, adding his name to a prestigious list of players who have scored from improbable distances.
The 2025 goal was a moment of brilliance in a match where Josh Windass was introduced as a second-half substitute. Having scored in his previous four appearances, the forward was determined to make an impact after being rotated to the bench by manager Danny Rohl. Just 15 minutes after entering the game, Windass seized the opportunity to catch Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom off his line.
“I looked up and initially thought about trying to outpace the defender, but the goalkeeper was too far out, so I thought ‘he’s getting done here,'” Windass explained to BBC Radio Sheffield after the match. His strike sailed over Zetterstrom’s head and into the back of the net, stunning fans and pundits alike.
Windass is not the first player to score such a spectacular goal from his own half, joining a select group of footballers who have stunned audiences with long-range efforts. Here’s a look at other memorable goals from way, way out:
David Beckham (Wimbledon v Manchester United, 1996)
One of the most iconic goals in football history, David Beckham’s long-range strike against Wimbledon in the opening match of the 1996-97 season is a defining moment in English football. Beckham spotted Wimbledon’s goalkeeper, Neil Sullivan, off his line and launched a shot from just inside his own half, scoring in the final minute of the game. The goal marked the beginning of Beckham’s legendary career.
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool v Newcastle United, 2006)
Xabi Alonso, known for his passing range, showcased his exceptional vision and technique against Newcastle in 2006. The Spanish midfielder caught goalkeeper Steve Harper off guard with a stunning 60.6-yard shot that found the net. This wasn’t Alonso’s first goal from his own half, having scored a similar effort in an FA Cup match earlier that year.
Maynor Figueroa (Stoke City v Wigan Athletic, 2009)
In a mid-table Premier League clash, Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa stunned Stoke City with a remarkable shot from just inside his own half. The Honduran left-back launched the ball from deep in his own territory after a foul, and it sailed past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, into the top corner of the net. It was one of only four league goals Figueroa scored during his career in English football.
Charlie Adam (Chelsea v Stoke City, 2015)
Charlie Adam’s strike against Chelsea in 2015 was another moment of brilliance from long range. The Scottish midfielder unleashed a shot from 63.9 yards out, catching Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois off guard. Adam, who referred to the goal as a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment, joined an exclusive group of players, with only a few goalkeepers having scored from further out in Premier League history.
Windass’s goal, which came in the 2025 match against Derby, now sits alongside these unforgettable moments. The strike has sparked discussions about a potential nomination for the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award, recognizing the best goal in world football. After missing out on a nomination for his remarkable goal at Blackburn last year, Windass is hopeful that his latest effort will earn the recognition it deserves.
As football fans debate which of these incredible long-range strikes is the best, one thing is certain: Josh Windass has etched his name into the history books with an unforgettable moment that will be talked about for years to come.
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