5 of the Most Memorable Arjen Robben Moments as the Flying Dutchman Turns 41 Today

23 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Choosing just five moments from Arjen Robben’s remarkable career feels like asking a painter to pick their five best strokes on a masterpiece. Robben, affectionately known as the "Flying Dutchman," graced football with his dazzling pace, trademark left foot, and an uncanny ability to decide matches single-handedly. Over two decades, Robben made a habit of delivering brilliance, whether for club or country, in the game’s most critical moments.

1) The Goal That Crowned Bayern Kings of Europe (2013)

Some moments in football transcend the sport—they’re etched into history, replayed endlessly, and talked about with reverence. Arjen Robben’s late winner in the 2013 Champions League final is one such moment. It wasn’t just a goal; it was redemption, brilliance, and sheer determination rolled into one unforgettable instance.

The stage couldn’t have been grander. Wembley Stadium played host to an all-German showdown between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The narrative leading up to the match added even more weight to Robben’s eventual heroics. Just a year earlier, he had missed a critical penalty in extra time during the 2012 final against Chelsea at the Allianz Arena. The miss had left Bayern and their fans devastated, and Robben bore the brunt of criticism for failing to deliver when it mattered most.

Fast forward to 2013, and Robben was on a mission to set things right. The game itself was a tight contest, with both teams trading blows in a thrilling spectacle. Ilkay Gündoğan’s penalty had canceled out Mario Mandzukic’s opener, leaving the match delicately poised at 1-1. As the minutes ticked away, extra time seemed inevitable—until Robben decided otherwise.

In the 89th minute, Franck Ribéry produced a deft flick that set Robben free inside the box. With Dortmund’s defenders scrambling, Robben kept his composure, took a couple of touches to evade pressure, and slid the ball past Roman Weidenfeller. It wasn’t a thunderous strike but a moment of calculated genius. His finish, subtle yet decisive, sent Bayern’s players and fans into raptures. The goal sealed Bayern’s fifth European Cup triumph and erased the pain of previous near-misses. For Robben, it was a moment of personal redemption, a response to his critics, and a statement of his undeniable class.

2) World Cup Masterclass Against Spain (2014)

When Arjen Robben stepped onto the pitch against Spain in the 2014 World Cup, he wasn’t just playing for three points—he was out for revenge. Four years earlier, the Spaniards had broken Dutch hearts by snatching victory in the 2010 final. Now, Robben and the Netherlands had a chance to rewrite the narrative, and boy, did they deliver. In what became one of the most stunning results in World Cup history, the Netherlands dismantled Spain 5-1. Robben was the orchestrator of their humiliation.

However, his second goal was a masterpiece that remains etched in footballing folklore. It began with a long pass over the top of Spain’s defense. Robben controlled it effortlessly, surged forward, and left Sergio Ramos—one of the world’s top defenders—trailing in his wake. The Flying Dutchman then bore down on Iker Casillas. What followed was pure magic. Robben faked, twisted, and turned, leaving Casillas sprawled on the ground before coolly slotting the ball home.

That goal wasn’t just a spectacular display of skill—it was a symbolic moment. It marked the end of Spain’s era of dominance and announced Robben as a force of nature, even at 30 years old. Watching Robben sprint away in celebration, arms outstretched, felt like the perfect revenge for 2010—a moment that defined his brilliance on football’s grandest stage.

3) The Solo Stunner vs RB Leipzig (2017)

Arjen Robben’s solo goal against RB Leipzig in May 2017 was the stuff of dreams, a perfect blend of pace, skill, and composure. It wasn’t just a goal—it was a reminder of why Robben was nicknamed the "Flying Dutchman," a player who could decide games with sheer individual brilliance. The match was already unforgettable. Bayern Munich had sealed the league title weeks earlier, but Leipzig, in their debut Bundesliga season, were eager to prove themselves. What unfolded was a rollercoaster game, with goals flying in from both sides. Deep into stoppage time, with the score tied at 4-4, Robben decided to put his stamp on the contest.

Picking up the ball near the halfway line, Robben did what he did best—he ran. Surging forward with that signature explosive speed, he left Leipzig’s defenders in his wake. As he approached the box, the anticipation in the crowd reached fever pitch. Cutting inside onto his magical left foot, he danced past the final defender with a deft touch before delicately chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. The audacity, the execution—it was pure Robben.

Bayern won 5-4, with Robben’s goal the undeniable highlight. It wasn’t just a stunning solo effort; it encapsulated everything that made Robben special. Even in a game packed with drama, his brilliance shone brightest, proving once again why he was a player fans and opponents alike couldn’t help but admire.

4) Wondergoal Against Manchester United (2010)

Arjen Robben’s performance against Manchester United in the 2010 Champions League quarter-final second leg was a showcase of his technical brilliance and big-game temperament. It was a night when Robben stole the show with one of the most memorable goals in Champions League history.

Bayern Munich arrived at Old Trafford with a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg, but their hopes seemed to evaporate in the first half. Manchester United raced to a 3-0 lead, powered by the likes of Nani and Darren Gibson. Facing elimination, Bayern needed something special to claw their way back, and Robben delivered just that.

After Ivica Olić scored to make it 3-2 on aggregate, Bayern earned a corner in the 74th minute. Franck Ribéry swung in a looping cross to the edge of the box, where Robben, stationed just outside the penalty area, awaited his moment. As the ball dropped, Robben connected with a first-time volley using his iconic left foot. The shot, struck with precision and venom, swerved past Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner of the net.

It wasn’t just the goal’s beauty that made it special—it was its importance. The strike leveled the aggregate score at 4-4, sending Bayern through on away goals. Robben’s volley didn’t just knock out a formidable United side; it solidified his reputation as a player who thrived on the grandest stages. That night at Old Trafford remains a testament to Robben’s brilliance—one moment of genius was all he needed to turn the tide.

5) The Return to Groningen (2020)

Arjen Robben’s return to FC Groningen in 2020 was a heartfelt homecoming. After an illustrious career that saw him conquer Europe with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, Robben’s retirement in 2019 seemed final. But the Flying Dutchman had one more chapter to write, and it brought him back to where it all began.

In June 2020, Robben stunned the football world by announcing his return to Groningen, the club where his professional journey had started two decades earlier. The decision wasn’t about trophies or records; it was about love for the game and loyalty to his roots. Groningen was struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Robben’s return was a morale booster for fans and players alike.

Robben made his second debut for Groningen in September against PSV Eindhoven, a moment that brought a mix of nostalgia and excitement. While injuries limited his appearances to just a handful of games, every time he stepped on the pitch, he showed flashes of his old brilliance—those mazy runs, that magical left foot.

Though his comeback didn’t yield silverware, it left an indelible mark. Robben’s return was a story of passion, humility, and a deep connection to the game. It reminded fans everywhere why football is more than just results—it’s about the bonds that players and clubs share, and the moments that bring them full circle.

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