World Cup wonder goals: Edstrom’s 20-second response
We count down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showing a wonder goal each day. Today’s shows Ralf Edstrom’s vicious volley for Sweden against Uruguay in 1974.
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Sweden v Uruguay Germany 1974 | Group 3 Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf
Georg Ericson, a calm coach, was boiling at the break. Sweden hadn’t scored in five halves at the tournament. He demanded a reaction. Not in his wildest dreams could he have envisaged one so rapid. Ove Kindvall and Ralf Edstrom kicked off and, 20 seconds later, the latter had the ball in the back of Ladislao Mazurkiewicz’s net. And what a goal it was. Following a sweeping move, Edstrom knocked the ball up into his path and crashed a volley home. It set Sweden en route to a 3-0 win and a knockout-phase berth.