Banks, Schmeichel, Seaman: The five greatest saves of all time

Former England, Leicester and Stoke goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died at the age of 81.

Banks, a World Cup winner in 1966, is widely regarded as one of the best keepers of all time and his save to deny Pele in 1970 is one of the most famous in history.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five of football’s greatest saves from the likes of Banks, Peter Schmeichel and Rene Higuita.

Gordon Banks v Pele, 1970

Banks’ astonishing save from the Brazilian superstar during their 1970 World Cup clash in Mexico is almost universally acknowledged as the greatest save of all time. Pele’s close-range header was heading for the bottom corner of the net when Banks threw himself to his right and somehow managed to scoop the ball off the goal-line and up over the crossbar.

READ MORE: England’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper dies aged 81

IN PICTURES: Gordon Banks’ incredible career

Peter Schmeichel v Rene Wagner, 1996

Schmeichel denied Rapid Vienna’s Wagner in a manner similar to the way Banks had kept Pele at bay. Wagner headed downwards from seven yards, but Manchester United keeper Schmeichel stretched across and got enough on the ball to divert it over the crossbar.

David Seaman v Paul Peschisolido, 2003

A remarkable point-blank reaction save which Seaman rates as the best of his career. Arsenal were hanging on against Sheffield United in their FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford when, with six minutes to go, Carl Asaba volleyed goalwards from a corner and Peschisolido got his head on it from three yards out. The ball was more than a yard behind Seaman, on his 1,000th senior appearance, and to his right, but somehow he managed to get his arm back to claw it away.

Jim Montgomery v Trevor Cherry/Peter Lorimer, 1973

The Sunderland goalkeeper’s heroics have lived long in the memory as they helped his team win the FA Cup final 1-0 against Leeds. Cherry launched himself at a far-post cross, but his diving header from six yards out was repelled by Montgomery. Lorimer rifled in the follow-up from equally close range, but Montgomery was already on his feet to tip it on to the crossbar to the bemusement of television commentators who had already called a goal.

Rene Higuita v Jamie Redknapp, 1995

No list of all-time great saves would be complete without the flamboyant Colombian’s effort midway through a Wembley friendly. Faced with a speculative long-range effort from Jamie Redknapp, Higuita elected to perform an acrobatic flip subsequently dubbed the ‘Scorpion Kick’, booting the ball to safety by the most unorthodox – and memorable – of means.