Ragnar Ache's remarkable bicycle kick earns Cologne star high praise
Ragnar Ache awed Cologne's RheinEnergieStadion by leaping in the Hoffenheim penalty area and sinking a stunning bicycle kick reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2-2 draw on Matchday 23.
'Hang it in the Louvre' has become a phrase often used in football after a spectacular strike, but behind the humour, the game does provide moments with sheer artistry to behold - as was the case in the 15th minute of Cologne's draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Saïd El Mala drilled a cross from the right in the box where Ache span, leapt, and slammed a simply sensational overhead kick past a bamboozled Oliver Baumann in the Hoffenheim goal.
Watch: Ragnar Ache's remarkable bicycle kick
The 50,000 fans in Cologne knew they had seen something truly special - a feeling shared by coach Lukas Kwasniok, who said afterwards: "It's all about second place for Goal of the Year now."
Germany international goalkeeper Baumann voiced his respect too, saying: "Congratulations! It is quite possibly the best goal I have ever conceded."
Defensive teammate Joël Schmied added a note of humour in his commendations, joking: "He hardly moves in training all week, then he pulls off something like that. It's incredible."
Watch: Worldwide reactions to Ache's stunner
Rather candidly, the striker himself admitted: "I can hardly believe it myself. Everything happened so fast. It was a great cross from Saïd [El Mala], I didn't really think about it; I just let my body do its thing. Then it just flew in like that."
A few days later, Ache told the Bundesliga, "I honestly can’t really describe it. It was one of those moments where you don’t really understand what has just happened. I couldn’t believe it myself at the time. But after that, it just continues, and you have to focus on the next match.”
The special strike was a reflection of the attacker's growing confidence as his fourth goal already in 2026 and fifth of the season after joining Cologne last summer from Kaiserslautern.
The draw gives Cologne a valuable point in their quest for survival and leaves them in 12th. Next up for the Billy Goats is a visit to Augsburg in the Matchday 24 opener on Friday evening (kick-off 8.30pm CET).
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