Why is a goal scored direct from a corner called an 'Olimpico'?

Feature

Following Guimaraes' stunning strike against Burnley, we look at the origins of the set piece's name

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. 

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After Cole Palmer's audacious chipped spot-kick against Spurs, Ben Bloom dives into the origins of the technique

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, just 20 "Olimpico" goals have been scored - and one player has netted 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.

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.

Watch more Premier League 'Olimpico' goals