{
  "id": 2714051,
  "title": "Goal Of The Year! Dom Ballard Leaves Fans Speechless With Outrageous Backheel Finish | Video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/goal-of-the-year-dom-ballard-leaves-fans-speechless-with-outrageous",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T03:30:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/goal-of-the-year-dom-ballard-leaves-fans-speechless-with-outrageous-backheel-finish-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bristol City striker Dom Ballard dazzled fans with a jaw-dropping backheeled volley during his team's Championship match against Birmingham City. The 21-year-old scored the astonishing goal in the 85th minute at St Andrew's, putting Bristol City ahead 2-1. After receiving a cross from Rio Cardines, Ballard used his right boot while facing away from goal to send the ball soaring towards the upper-left corner, leaving goalkeeper James Beadle no chance to save. Social media was immediately ablaze with fans describing the goal as a potential \"goal of the season\" and praising Ballard's audacious technique. Despite Birmingham's substitute Demarai Gray equalizing in the 95th minute, Ballard's goal remained a highlight of the entertaining Championship encounter and was his first competitive strike for the club since joining them from Leyton Orient earlier this month. Ballard expressed his delight with the finish and admitted he didn't anticipate scoring many better goals.",
  "summary": "Bristol City striker Dom Ballard produced a stunning moment of individual brilliance during his side’s Championship clash against Birmingham City, scoring an outrageous backheeled volley that has already been tipped as a potential Puskas Award contender. The 21-year-old struck in the 85th minute at St Andrew’s to put Bristol City 2-1 ahead. Ballard reacted brilliantly to a cross from Rio…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}