The moment Gordon Banks denied Pele at the 1970 World Cup is known as the ‘save of the century’ – but have we just seen another match to match?
This time the scene took place in the torrential rain of Leipzig rather than the scorching heat of Guadalajara, but Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok’s leap to somehow retrieve Christoph Baumgartner’s header will remain in the memory of those who saw it.
It was a crucial save too, coming at the very end of a pulsating round of 16 tie and in denying Austria a last-gasp equalizer, their coach Ralf Rangnick felt they fully deserved it.
“We didn’t have the necessary luck and I believe if the game had gone to extra time we would have won,” said Rangnick.
“We had time to score an equaliser, but it’s difficult when they have Gordon Banks in goal!”
Banks was also the name on every pundit’s lips as they tried to describe Gunok’s save while his teammates rushed to congratulate him when the final whistle sounded seconds later.
“It’s Gordon Banks. Unbelievable. What a moment. The goalkeeper just spins around the post, it’s a brilliant save,” was former England defender Matthew Upson’s reaction on Radio Five Live.
“This is first class! It’s like a replica of Gordon Banks,” said Lee Dixon on ITV.
“That Gunok save is one of the great saves in Euro history”, was Chris Sutton’s verdict.
‘Baumgartner thought this was fashionable’
There were several dramatic goals at the end of this Euro – think Brilliant goal from Jude Bellingham for England against Slovakia on Sunday – but this was a save that matched either of them, at an identical point in the game.
Turkey held a 2-1 lead despite relentless late pressure when, in the 94th minute, Austria mounted one last attack.
With the exhausted Turkish defense on their feet, Baumgartner darted into space at the far post and headed down, the ball skidding across the wet turf and seemingly headed for the far corner… until Gunok found a way past his goal of keeping it out.
“How he saves it is unbelievable,” added Sutton, who seemed almost speechless.
“I can’t think of a better game I’ve ever seen,” Upson said. “Drama, commitment. Wow, what a game. Baumgartner thought he was in the back of the net. He does everything right.
“Off that greasy surface, he did really well. It was Gordon Banks, identical. The Turkish fans are going crazy.”
‘That’s his job, to make saves’
Turkish defender Merih Demiral, who scored two goals – including the fastest knockout stage goal in European Championship history – was named man of the match, but later paid tribute to Gunok.
“Mert did a great job, we had a big argument after the final whistle and I couldn’t believe my eyes – perhaps one of the best saves I’ve seen with my own eyes,” said Demiral.
“He deserves it, Mert is the oldest player in the team and he has always guided us and shown us the way forward, so I am very happy that he made that save.”
Turkey’s chief, Vincenzo Montella, was one of the few people who did not use superlatives when talking about the Gunok shutdown, but he did not underestimate its importance to his country’s cause.
“I don’t know, because there were so many spectacular saves,” Montella said when asked where Gunok’s defense stands on the all-time list.
“I’m happy for him, happy for the team, happy for the country and happy for the group we created here and what we produced today.
“Congratulations to Mert, that’s his job, to make saves and we’re really happy that he made a winning save in the last minute.”
The reward for Turkey and their army of dedicated fans is a quarter-final game against the Netherlands in Berlin on Saturday, and Montella feels anything is possible with their support.
“We have a huge following, there is passion and love,” he explained.
“It’s very visceral to return home to Turkey, so I’m very happy to have made our Turks here in Germany and around the world a little proud.
“This responsibility, love and support we feel constantly, but you can only embrace these dreams if you work hard from day one – we will celebrate tonight, but then we will get to work.”
‘That could be the best defense I’ve ever seen’ – his reaction
Here’s a selection of the tweets and messages we received from BBC Sport readers moments after the rescue…
Andy: You can watch football as long as you want and I don’t think you’ll see a better defense than that. Easily up there with the best defenses of all time. Incredible.
Andrew: Mert Gunok with the perfect tribute to Peter Schmeichel in death.
JMG: It was an absolutely stunning save. In fact, stunning doesn’t even do it justice. Achieve that in 95 minutes, my word.
Howard: That save was arguably better than Gordon Banks against Pele in 1970… because it was a winning cause.
Ricardo: This might be the best defense I’ve ever seen. Amazing from Mert.
Steve: The photo of that Gunok defense doesn’t do it justice! Absolutely brilliant. It will probably end up on most of the top saves of all time lists in the future!
Jon: I really think Gunok’s save is the best I’ve ever seen. Unbelievable!
