Goals are the lifeblood of football – the essence of what underpins the world game.For all the complexities involved the sport, watching the ball hitting the back of the net gives rise to a sensation unlike anything else.A single goal can be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup or Champions League final, which is fundamentally why attacking players earn the biggest bucks of all at the highest level.
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Like it or not, football’s fixation with goals leads the recognition paid to those who score them to far outweigh those who prevent them.
However, every once in a while comes a reminder that the beautiful game wouldn't be as beautiful without its dirty side.
With that in mind, Scunthorpe centre-back Murray Wallace has done a great service to defenders around the globe by pulling off what has to be one of the most incredible clearances of all-time.
The Scotsman and his teammates had to battle until the final whistle to ensure they secured three points against Bradford City in a League One clash at Glanford Park on Sunday.
Leading 3-2 over their promotion rivals in stoppage time of the second half, the Iron faced one last desperate push from the visitors.
The Bantams looked certain to equalise when a header from six-yards out flew towards the bottom corner, only for Wallace – who was prone from an aerial challenge moments earlier – to improvise with a stunning overhead kick to clear the ball over the crossbar.
Check out the incredible defending in the video below.
Here's how Twitter reacted to Wallace's goal-saving effort.
As if the act itself wasn't impressive enough, Wallace's heroics could have a telling impact on Scunthorpe’s promotion bid.
Victory on Sunday saw them leapfrog Bradford into fourth place on the League One table, two points behind Fleetwood Town, who occupy third with a game in hand.
Final league standings can make or break how a team fares in the playoffs – so Scunthorpe could owe Wallace a little pay rise should they be competing in the Championship next season.