Throwback to one of the best double goal-line clearances of all-time

There’s not many better feelings for a defender than producing a last-ditch goal-line clearance.

And back in 2019, FK Rostov defender Evgeni Chernov did exactly that in a Russian Premier League match at Lokomotiv Moscow. Not only that, he then produced another just seconds later, in remarkable scenes.

With the game heading into injury time, Rostov led 2-1 and were looking set to go top of the table, ahead of their opponents.

But that soon looked in serious doubt. After Rostov ‘keeper Egor Baburin lost out in an aerial battle, Chernov was there to swipe the ball off the line.

However, it fell to Lokomotiv substitute Luka Djordjevic, who looked as if he had the simple task of slotting it into an empty net.

That wasn’t to be the case. After sliding into the net as a result of his first clearance, Chernov got up instantly and literally threw himself at the ball as Djordjevic shot.

That resulted in one of the most incredible goalline clearances we’ve ever seen.

Check it out below:

What is noticeably impressive is Chernov’s quick thinking in keeping his arms well away from the direction of the shot, meaning there is no chance of giving a penalty away.

After that scare, Rostov were able to hold on, going top of the league in the process.

They eventually qualified for the Europa League by finishing in fifth position come season’s end, despite a 10-1 thrashing at the hands of mid-table Sochi when the Russian Premier League returned in June following its Covid-19 enforced suspension. Rostov would go on to lose in the qualification play-offs to Israeli side Maccabi Haifa.

They ended the 2020/21 season in ninth place, missing out on European qualification.

Featured Image Credit: ESPN / Match TV