Alexandra Pinell free-kick: Costa Rica midfielder scores Puskas Award contender

Costa Rica’s Alexandra Pinell scored an outrageous goal on the opening day of the Women’s Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday night.

Pinell opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a goal that has a chance of being nominated for the 2022 Puskas Award.

Nobody inside Costa Rica’s National Stadium would have expected the 19-year-old to attempt to score from 40 yards (at least) – but you can tell by the way she stepped up to take the free-kick that she backed herself.

The midfielder unleashed an absolute rocket with her right foot, catching the ball perfectly before watching it sail into the top corner of the net.

As soon as the ball flew past Australia goalkeeper Sally James, the commentator shouted: “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! What a start for Costa Rica! What a night, what a goal! Absolutely sensational from the captain Alexandra Pinell! She is the hero of the night in San Jose!

“Only the fourth game of the tournament but we’re not going to see a better goal than that, surely?!”

You can watch Pinell’s stunning free-kick in all its glory here:

#LaSeleFemeninaSub20 #FCRF #VamosJuntas #U20WWC #gol #CostaRica #FIFA #FIFA22 Aquí está el golazo de la tica Alexandra Pinel. pic.twitter.com/KmLjJM5aDM

Vamos Costa Rica! What a goal. #pinell pic.twitter.com/sKoo8P3S3h

What a breathtaking strike, that is. Take a bow, Alexandra!

That’s one of the best free-kicks we’ve seen all year.

Australia fought back to win the match 3-1 but Pinell still managed to steal the headlines with her unbelievable strike.

Women have been nominated for the Puskas Award in recent years but we’re still waiting for a female to win the prestigious individual accolade for the first time.

Irish footballer Stephanie Roche came close in 2014 but just missed out