What is an 'Olimpico' goal and why is it called that?

Feature

Following Guimaraes' stunning goal direct from a corner against Burnley, we look at the origins of this particular goal

Within the space of six weeks this season, two Premier League players have performed a piece of skill not often seen: scoring directly from a corner.

Bruno Guimaraes gave Newcastle United the lead in remarkable style against Burnley in Matchweek 15, whipping his left-sided set piece beyond Clarets goalkeeper Martin Dubravka as his team-mates awaited a delivery inside the penalty area.

Marcus Tavernier was the first player to score direct from a corner in 2025/26, when he opened the scoring for AFC Bournemouth in their eventual 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in Matchweek 9.

Watch Tavernier's goal - and other 'Olympicos'

These goals have been referred to as "Olimpicos", but where does this terminology originate from?

Origins of the 'Olimpico'

The term "Olimpico" comes from the first recorded goal direct from a corner 100 years ago, on the international stage as Argentina played Uruguay.

Cesareo Onzari scored it, but unlike the Panenka - the chipped penalty-kick named after Czech player Antonin Panenka - the Argentinian did not get the credit. 

As Onzari scored the goal against the reigning Olympic champions, the "Gol Olimpico" was born, even though the goal was not during the Games but a friendly.

There was much-debate at the time about the validity of the goal, but football's rule-making body IFAB had months earlier given the go-ahead to allow such set-piece strikes. 

Other Premier League 'Olimpicos'

In over 30 years of the Premier League, 20 "Olimpico" goals have been scored - and two players have two of them! 

Ashley Westwood achieved the feat, doing so twice for Burnley in 2019 and 2020 against Liverpool at Anfield and then versus Southampton at St Mary's, while Neil Pointon, of Oldham Athletic.

Other players who have scored "Olimpicos" in the Premier League include Matheus Cunha for Wolverhampton Wanderers, in a win over his future club Manchester United, West Ham United's James Ward-Prowse, Everton's Dwight McNeil, Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, Matheus Pereira for West Bromwich Albion and Ben Watson for Watford.

All 20 'Olimpicos' scored in the Premier League
Date Player Team Opposition
07/04/1993 Neil Pointon Oldham Sheff Wed
08/05/1993 Neil Pointon Oldham  Southampton
21/08/1993 Steve Staunton Aston Villa Wimbledon
17/02/1996 Greg Goodridge QPR Sheff Wed
28/09/1996 Matthew Le Tissier Southampton Middlesbrough
20/02/1999 Marc Keller West Ham  Liverpool
13/01/2001 David Thompson Coventry  Newcastle
02/02/2011 Charlie Adam Blackpool West Ham 
12/12/2015 Junior Stanislas Bournemouth Man Utd
02/01/2016 Ben Watson Watford Man City
15/04/2017 Wahbi Khazri Sunderland West Ham 
10/03/2019 Ashley Westwood Burnley Liverpool
15/02/2020 Ashley Westwood Burnley Southampton
19/05/2021 Matheus Pereira WBA West Ham 
31/08/2022 Douglas Luiz Aston Villa Arsenal
27/04/2023 Dwight McNeil Everton Newcastle
06/04/2024 James Ward-Prowse West Ham  Wolves
26/12/2024 Matheus Cunha Wolves Man Utd
26/10/2025 Marcus Tavernier Bournemouth Nott'm Forest
06/12/2025 Bruno Guimarães Newcastle United Burnley
Watch more Premier League 'Olimpico' goals