The 2026/27 English football season has barely begun – but it would be a shock if it saw a better goal than this.
Bristol City’s Dom Ballard became an overnight sensation after an extraordinary back-heeled volley found the back of the net in his side’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
In the 85th minute, with scores tied 1-1, a Rio Cardines cross was miraculously flicked in by Ballard – while facing away from the goal – with Blues goalkeeper James Beadle powerless to do anything about it.
Dubbed a ‘reverse-scorpion’ online, it was his first goal in his first match for the Robins – and he’ll struggle to ever top it.
Watch the stunner in the player above!
The stunning moment sparked wild scenes among the travelling Bristol fans, even if a 95th-minute equaliser from Demarai Gray saw Birmingham escape with a draw.
Speaking after the game, the 21-year old was candid about just how special the moment was.
“The fans were amazing – I ran straight to them when I scored, which was an incredible feeling,” he said.
“I won’t score many better than that – really, really happy.”
The goal has spread like wildfire across social media, with many fans adamant that the Puskas Award race is already over.
However, Ballard admitted the Blues’ late equaliser left a sour taste.
“We’re disappointed with the result in the end,” he said.
“I thought we were the better team.
“When you come to a new club, you want to hit the ground running, so to get the goal today against a good Birmingham City side is great.”