UEFA Champions League · 1 November 2016
Özil's goal vs Ludogorets, beat by beat
Mesut Özil's goal against Ludogorets was Arsenal's 87th-minute winner in a 3–2 comeback in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 1 November 2016 (UEFA Champions League, Group A, matchday 4). Sent clear by Mohamed Elneny's pass, Özil lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Milan Borjan, waited as two defenders dived in, sat them down with feints and rolled the ball into the empty net. The win took Arsenal into the last 16 with two group games to spare.
1 Nov 2016SofiaLudogorets 2–3 Arsenal87'
Updated
Chip the keeper → two defenders slide past → empty net.
The match in facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Champions League 2016–17, Group A, matchday 4 |
| Date | Tuesday 1 November 2016 |
| Venue | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Attendance | 30,862 (Sky Sports) |
| Final score | Ludogorets 2–3 Arsenal |
| Ludogorets goals | Jonathan Cafu 12', Claudiu Keșeru 15' |
| Arsenal goals | Granit Xhaka 20', Olivier Giroud 42', Mesut Özil 87' |
| Minute of Özil's goal | 87' in most reports; Sportsmole and some others list 88' |
| Assist | Mohamed Elneny |
| Goalkeeper beaten | Milan Borjan |
| What it meant | Arsenal qualified for the last 16 with two group games to spare |
Ludogorets scored twice in three minutes to lead 2–0 after a quarter of an hour. Granit Xhaka pulled one back on 20 minutes and Olivier Giroud equalised before half-time, setting up Özil's late winner.
The goal, beat by beat
- 01The passMohamed Elneny plays the ball through and Özil is clear of the defence, with goalkeeper Milan Borjan coming off his line to meet him.
- 02The chipInstead of shooting past the advancing keeper, Özil lifts the ball over him. Borjan is beaten and the goal is open.
- 03The waitTwo defenders race back to cover the empty net. Özil doesn't rush the finish — he waits for them to commit.
- 04Two defenders, sat downAs they dive in to block, he shifts the ball with feints and both slide past him, one after the other.
- 05The empty netWith no one left between him and the goal, he rolls the ball in: 3–2 to Arsenal, completing the comeback from 2–0 down.
Why the Özil chip goal is famous
- It was a winner, not a consolation. Arsenal had been 2–0 down after 15 minutes; the goal completed the comeback and sealed a place in the last 16.
- It packs three skills into one move: a chip under pressure from an onrushing keeper, patience with the goal open, and close control to beat two defenders who had already committed to the tackle.
- It reads in a single shot. The broadcast camera follows the whole move — the chip, both challenges and the finish — so it's easy to follow even as a short vertical clip.
How the Ozil goal AI trend recreates the move — with you as the scorer
The Ozil goal AI trend on TikTok puts people in Özil's place. On Ozil Goal AI you upload one photo and get a 15-second vertical video in that style of goal: you lift the ball over the onrushing keeper, let two defenders slide past and roll it into the empty net, filmed like a night-match TV broadcast.
- You are the scorer — your face and build come from your photo.
- Pick a plain kit, or play in the shirt you wear in your photo.
- No real players, clubs, league or sponsor logos appear.
- 1080×1920 vertical, 15 seconds, silent — add your own sound in TikTok or CapCut. Usually ready in about 15 minutes, always within the hour.
FAQ
When did Özil score against Ludogorets?
On Tuesday 1 November 2016, in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League Group A away game at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria.
What was the final score of Ludogorets vs Arsenal?
Ludogorets 2–3 Arsenal. Ludogorets led 2–0 through Jonathan Cafu (12') and Claudiu Keșeru (15'); Granit Xhaka (20'), Olivier Giroud (42') and Mesut Özil (87') scored for Arsenal.
In what minute did Özil score?
Most reports, including Sky Sports, give the 87th minute. Sportsmole and some other reports list it as 88'.
Who was the goalkeeper Özil chipped?
Milan Borjan, the Ludogorets goalkeeper, who had come off his line to close Özil down.
Who assisted Özil's goal against Ludogorets?
Mohamed Elneny, whose pass sent Özil clear of the defence.
What is the Ozil goal AI trend?
A TikTok trend where people put themselves into the Özil goal with AI. Ozil Goal AI turns one photo into a 15-second vertical video of you chipping the keeper, beating two defenders and rolling the ball into the empty net, from $9.99.
Sources
Not affiliated with Mesut Özil, Arsenal, PFC Ludogorets, UEFA, TikTok or CapCut. Videos are AI-generated.