Lorient midfielder Armand Lauriente scored one of the finest free-kicks you’re ever going to see at the weekend.
With his side 1-0 down in the 87th minute against FC Nantes in Ligue 1, the 22-year-old was presented with a set piece opportunity from 40 yards out.
And given that several of his team-mates were waiting in the box, it seemed as if Lauriente would float in a cross.
But Lauriente had other ideas.
The midfielder ran up and struck an effort on goal that at first looked as if it was going over the bar.
However, Nantes ‘keeper Alban Lafont, positioned a few yards off his line, then had to quickly adjust as the ball dipped in the final few metres of flight.
The French youth international could do nothing to stop it nestling into the corner of the net. A superb strike.
The replay showed that the ball originally was heading for the centre of the goal before swerving in mid-air.
It was another strike that could stake a very really claim for the Puskas Award.
We’ve seen plenty of unbelievable goals over the last few weeks, from Eli Sam’s scorpion kick for Notts County to this from Southend’s Nathan Ferguson.
Lauriente’s defining impact
Lauriente’s goal could prove to be a defining moment in the Ligue 1 relegation fight this season.
Prior to the game, Lorient sat just one point and one place above the bottom three positions, with Nantes directly below them.
Before Lauriente’s free-kick, their positions were set to be reversed.
The 22-year-old’s strike meant his side were able to restore parity once again from the bottom three. However, fellow strugglers Nimes would later draw level on points after defeating title challengers Lille 2-1, with only goal difference separating the pair.
Lauriente is no stranger to game-changing moments this season. He scored twice in a 30-minute cameo against St. Etienne last month to give Lorient a 2-1 victory.
Should they go on to avoid relegation this campaign, the young midfielder will have certainly played his part.
Featured Image Credit: BT Sport