Sometimes a goal comes along that simply makes you say “wow.” You don’t need any background knowledge or even to know the players — you just watch and remember why football is so captivating.
On Tuesday, Couhaib Driouech delivered exactly that kind of goal, earning the spotlight as the week’s top moment in the UEFA Champions League.
The context made it even more remarkable — Driouech’s goal was PSV Eindhoven’s sixth against Napoli, the reigning champions of Italy. Despite trailing at one point, PSV turned the match around to win 6–2, even though Napoli played the final roughly 15 minutes with just 10 men. This victory marked PSV’s first Champions League win of the season after three consecutive matches without success.
What makes it even more impressive is the scorer himself — Driouech is far from a prolific goal-scorer. He has only 4 goals in 29 matches for PSV and previously scored 14 in 96 matches for Excelsior. Usually not a starter under Peter Bosz, he came on as a substitute in the 85th minute, provided an assist, and then scored this stunning goal.
Even without knowing these details, the goal alone is breathtaking. It displayed all the elements of a perfect team effort.
The first phase started calmly — in PSV’s half, Armando Obispo passed to fellow substitute Sergino Dest. A centre-back passing to a left-back might usually signal safe possession, especially with PSV leading 5–2 in the 89th minute. One might have expected a few cautious passes to keep the ball and draw applause from the crowd.
But under Peter Bosz, PSV don’t play safe. As soon as the ball reached Dest, he advanced it up the left flank to Driouech. This began phase two — a series of one-touch passes, relentless movement, and high-speed interplay. Driouech, after receiving the ball, immediately fed Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi, under pressure from Juan Jesus and Andre-Frank Anguissa, attempted to control the ball, but Joey Veerman intercepted and nudged it out to Dest. Dest quickly passed to Paul Wanner, who stretched to tap it back to Pepi. Though slightly behind Pepi’s stride, he adjusted and played it forward into space where Driouech was making his run.
Within five seconds, Driouech received the ball back — from Dest’s initial pass to Pepi’s return — an exhilarating sequence executed with perfect rhythm. PSV had found perfection in chaos.
Phase three followed — the moment that made the goal truly legendary. Driouech first evaded Di Lorenzo with a deft touch, glanced at goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic slightly off his line, and unleashed a rocket of a shot into the near top corner.
The final score was 6–2. Philips Stadium erupted with a roar that could rival a minor earthquake. But even that was overshadowed by the moment itself — PSV’s brilliant team goal illuminated the Champions League, crowned by Couhaib Driouech’s exquisite finish.
TSN