Torquay goalie Lucas Colovan, the man behind the 95th-minute playoff equaliser
23.06.2021
Lucas Colovan proved just how spectacular the National League can be in one 95th minute touch. Bristol’s Ashton Gate ground, host of the National League playoff final, erupted as Torquay equalised against Hartlepool so deep into extra time. The Brazilian keeper headed home a free-kick pinged from near the halfway line, giving jubilant Gulls fans a last glimmer of promotion hope. Their celebrations sent startled seagulls flapping into the BT Sport live feed.
Colovan’s header draws comparisons to fellow Brazilian keeper Alisson Becker’s goal against Premier League relegatees West Brom. Alisson’s goal followed a Liverpool corner-kick, making Colovan’s feat somewhat less predictable. The two goalies faced comparison in their youth, as Colovan’s former club Athletico Paranaense played Alisson’s side back in Brazil. Paranaense, Colovan’s hometown club beat Alisson’s with the Torquay man between the sticks. Since then, their fates changed courses. Transfermarkt values the Liverpool keeper well over £60 million, compared with Torquay United’s entire club commercial value of £1.5 million. However, as this season shows, both goalies go above and beyond their defensive duties to threaten their opponents’ penalty areas.
Despite Colovan’s goal, the Gulls lost the following penalty shootout to Hartlepool 5-4. The Gulls shotstopper saved his first two penalties, but Torquay failed to capitalise. The first two Gulls penalty takers fired wide of the mark, including captain Asa Hall, who rattled the woodwork.
