Where does Mert Gunok’s remarkable save for Austria against Turkey rank in the top ten greatest stops of all time including Gordon Banks denying Pele, Peter Schmeichel against Rapid Vienna and David Seaman’s save against Sheffield United?

Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok wrote his name in football history with an incredible save in the closing stages of his team’s Euro 2024 victory over Austria.

Gunok showed excellent reflexes to stop Christoph Baumgartner’s header and maintain Turkey’s lead, sending them through to the quarter-finals.

Lee Dixon, commentating for ITV, called the rescue a “Gordon Banks replica”.

Gunok’s save has sparked debates about the best saves of all time. His performance certainly deserves a place in that category, but what is the best piece of goalkeeping ever?

Mail Sport takes a look at some of the best saves here.

10) Peter Schmeichel – Manchester United v Rapid Wien, 1996

A legendary name in the goalkeeping world, Schmeichel is a Manchester United icon and has a wealth of top-quality saves to choose from.

One of his best performances came in the 1996 Champions League against Rapid Wien, when he spectacularly saved a header from René Wagner.

To Wagner’s surprise, Schmeichel reacted exceptionally well to tap the ball away when it looked very difficult for him.

9) Iker Casillas – Real Madrid v Sevilla, 2009

Casillas has had a glittering career, most of which was spent at Real Madrid.

In 2009 he made a memorable save against Sevilla, earning praise from Banks, who said: ‘Casillas’ reflexes are incredible. If he continues to play like this he will become one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game.’

Casillas ran from one side of his goal to the other and managed to save Diego Perotti’s effort from close range.

8) Emiliano Martinez – Argentina v France, 2022

A relatively recent goal that immediately became a classic: Emiliano Martinez stopped Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani in the closing stages of the 2022 World Cup final, forcing a penalty shootout and giving Argentina the victory.

Martinez stuck his leg out to stop Kolo Muani from scoring, leaving the French forward devastated.

It was a save that confirmed Martinez’s status as one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

7) Gianluigi Buffon – Italy v France, 2006

The 2006 World Cup final is best known for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi, which saw the French star player sent off.

Earlier in extra time, Zidane was thwarted by a fine save from Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Even though it looked like the odds were against them, Buffon managed to tip Zidane’s header over the bar to give Italy the victory on penalties.

6) Mert Gunok – Turkey v Austria, 2024

The most recent addition to the list of brilliant saves is Gunok’s save, which will be one of the most cherished memories of Euro 2024.

Austria’s Alexander Prass crossed into the penalty area and Baumgartner headed the ball towards goal.

Although it looked like he would be defeated, Gunok saved the ball towards the end of the match and ensured Turkey’s victory.

5) Jim Montgomery – Sunderland v Leeds, 1973

When Sunderland defeated Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final, Montgomery made a hugely important contribution to the game.

The keeper’s reactions to keep out Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer were of such a high standard that it is regarded by some as the greatest double save of all time.

Montgomery had little time to react between the two attempts, but still managed to keep his composure.

4) Jerzy Dudek – Liverpool v AC Milan, 2005

Dudek is known for his heroic penalty shootout performance in the 2005 Champions League final, where he saved penalties from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko to help Liverpool secure victory.

However, Dudek also played a key role in extra time, when he made a superb double save towards the end of the match to deny Shevchenko a 3-0 deficit. Liverpool had somehow come back from 3-3 down.

Dudek initially stopped a header from Shevchenko and then saved a shot from the Ukrainian star, creating incredible scenes.

3) David Seaman – Arsenal v Sheffield United, 2003

Seaman was in the final stages of his career when Arsenal took on Sheffield United in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, but he showed his reflexes are still intact.

Paul Peschisolido looked set to score for the Blades, but Seaman miraculously managed to clear the ball and prevent it from crossing the line.

Schmeichel later called Seaman’s save the best save he had ever seen.

2) Gregory Coupet – Lyon v Barcelona, ​​2001

In one of the most unorthodox goalkeeping moves you will ever see, Coupet headed the ball onto his own crossbar after a lob from Lyon team-mate Cacapa.

The French goalkeeper then reacted quickly and stopped a header from Barcelona star Rivaldo.

Coupet responded exceptionally well in both cases, but Barcelona still won 2-0 in the Champions League match.

1) Gordon Banks – England v Brazil, 1970

Banks is undoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and was part of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup.

Perhaps his finest individual moment came four years later, when he pulled off the ‘save of the century’ by beating none other than Pelé in the group stage of the 1970 World Cup.

Pele looked set to score with a header, but Banks cleared the ball over the line and saved the attempt in what could easily be called the best save ever.