Independiente striker Santiago Montiel won the FIFA Puskas Award for his overhead kick goal against Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza in Avellaneda in the round of 16 of the final Apertura tournament of the 2025 Professional League
In a match broadcast live by Agencia Noticias Argentinas, Gregorio de Laferrere’s player scored the first goal and gave Independiente victory on Sunday, May 11. With this result, the team then led by Julio Vaccari reached the quarter-finals of the Apertura tournament, where they beat Boca 1-0 at La Bombonera Stadium.
Independiente’s Santiago Montiel wins the FIFA Puskás Award 2025 for this overhead kick 🚲🏆
(above @LeagueAFA)pic.twitter.com/zlwpi4bUWL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 16, 2025
In an extremely close and smooth game, the former Argentinos Juniors footballer broke the deadlock twelve minutes into the second half with a spectacular goal that left everyone present speechless.
After a corner kick and a short free kick from the Mendoza team’s defense, striker Montiel first beat Colombian Sebastián Villa in the crescent of the penalty area and with the ball in the air about to go down.
With his back to goalkeeper Ezequiel Centurión, the 25-year-old footballer executed the overhead kick perfectly and let the ball run a precise curve over goalkeeper Ezequiel Centurión, who showed no reaction to such acrobatics.
Montiel’s goal went viral around the world on social media, leading FIFA to nominate him for the Puskas Award, which recognizes the best goal each season. This Tuesday the Argentine finally won this award.
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