Recoba’s last goal in Inter’s shirt: a magic…corner kick

MILAN – He couldn’t have said farewell any other way. No, not him, not ‘El Chino’ Recoba. He had introduced himself to the Nerazzurri world on 31 August 1997, when everyone was expecting Ronaldo. Inter were losing at Brescia and on came this Uruguayan boy, who made San Siro erupt with two left-footed strikes from distance. Ten years later, his farewell was just as unique as his introduction as he once again showed his incredible talent, astonishing us all with his left foot.

29 April 2007, 13 years ago. Inter had just won their 15th Scudetto title the week before at Siena. So, Inter vs. Empoli that day was supposed to be a celebration where they honoured the shirt, the crowd and the tricolore. Cruz opened the scoring after Cambiasso’s back heel assist, then Saudati’s goal levelled the score, and before Stankovic made it 3-1, ‘El Chino’ Recoba had his say scoring Inter’s second.

Corner. Who knows how many crosss Recoba had swung in from that corner at San Siro throughout his career. In that season of Nerazzurri dominance, ‘El Chino’ had only made a few appearances and hadn’t yet left his mark. So, he conjured up one last piece of genius for Inter. Recoba’s last goal for the Club, the last of 72 in 261 appearances, came in the most unusual way, something he had never done in his Nerazzurri career: he scored directly from a corner. It was a venomous cross that surprised Empoli’s ‘keeper, Bassi, and wreaked havoc. Goal. The embrace of his teammates overwhelmed ‘El Chino’ and he let out a genuine smile, although it was tinged with sadness as he was aware that his long story was ending; a very happy ending, albeit painful.

Empoli had already been subject to Recoba’s genius: that goal from almost halfway to beat Roccati was another magical strike of utter brilliance.

You can re-watch Chino’s miraculous feat, his corner goal, in the highlights of Inter vs. Empoli from 29 April 2007 at the end of the article. That day, the celebrations for the Club’s 15th Scudetto were marked by three great goals.

INTER 3-1 EMPOLI

Scorers: 28' Cruz, 57' Saudati, 59' Recoba, 60' StankovicInter: 12 Julio Cesar; 2 Cordoba, 77 Andreolli, 23 Materazzi, 11 Grosso; 7 Figo, 15 Dacourt (74' 6 Maxwell), 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic; 20 Recoba (72' 4 Zanetti), 9 Cruz (84' 91 Mariano Gonzalez).Substitutes: 1 Toldo, 4 Zanetti, 21 Solari, 62 Figliomeni, 99 ChoutosCoach.: Roberto ManciniEmpoli: 1 Bassi; 46 Raggi, 15 Vanigli, 50 Pratali, 3 Lucchini (76' 16 Marzorati); 24 Buscè (12' 17 Eder), 4 Almiron, 10 Vannucchi, 5 Moro; 9 Pozzi (76' 8 Marianini), 11 SaudatiSubstitutes: 23 Balli, 27 Ficini, 32 Coralli, 33 AscoliCoach.: Luigi CagniReferee: Antonio Damato from Barletta

Yellow Cards: Stankovic