Barça Rewind: The Police goal

On April 13, 1919, the Philippine striker Paulino Alcántara scored what has been called ‘the Police goal.’ 

It was during a match at Calle Indústria between Barcelona and Real Sociedad that Paulino hit the ball with one of his terrifying shots and unexpectedly caught a policeman who was just passing along the goal line.

A complete coincidence, yes, but it was common in those days for Police to patrol the areas around the goalposts. 

An exaggeration?

Alcántara's shot hit the Policeman, who ended up rolling on the floor and in the net, along with the ball, of course. 

Without television or photography, the only witnesses were the spectators present at L'Escopidora, and as the news of the 'Police goal' began to spread, many seemed to believe that it was an exaggeration. 

But it’s true. The truth is stranger than fiction it’s often said,  and, in fact, almost a century later, we have never seen a 'Police goal' again. 

We don't even think it will ever be repeated ...