Here, PA Sport looks at some of football's great free-kicks:

ERNIE HUNT (Coventry v Everton, October 1970)

The free-kick that elicited as much controversy as it did appreciation, Hunt's strike was goal of the season in 1970-71. On the edge of the Everton area, Willie Carr gripped the ball between his ankles before flicking it up in the air for Hunt to volley into the top corner. The so-called 'Donkey Kick' was allowed to stand but the Football Association banned the technique on the grounds it constituted a 'double-touch' of the ball.

PAUL GASCOIGNE (Tottenham v Arsenal, April 1991)

One of the greatest goals scored at Wembley, Gascoigne's 35-yard free-kick in an all-London FA Cup semi-final was also the finest strike of his career. Almost 35 yards out, he appeared to have little hope of beating David Seaman in the Arsenal goal. But such was the power and accuracy in his shot, the future England number one was left clawing at air as the ball rocketed into the top corner.

ROBERTO CARLOS (France v Brazil, June 1997)

A free-kick that appeared to defy the laws of physics, nothing like it had been seen before or since. Roberto Carlos was in danger of looking a little foolish when he lined up a shot 40 yards out and as the ball left his foot it appeared to be heading for the corner flag. But such was the whip he generated with his left foot, it swerved all the way back before clipping the post on its way into the net. France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez didn't even move.

JAVIER ZANETTI (Argentina v England, June 1998)

Zanetti finished off the most perfectly-worked free-kick in Argentina's 1998 World Cup win over England. With England leading 2-1 going into first-half stoppage-time, Gabriel Batistuta lined up a 25-yard free-kick. Instead of shooting, team-mate Juan Veron unexpectedly passed low to Zanetti in the area, who freed himself and set up for a left-footed finish that flew into the top corner.

DAVID BECKHAM (England v Greece, October 2001)

A free-kick as feted for its significance as much for the greatness of the strike, Beckham had already wasted countless dead-ball opportunities in this crucial 2002 World Cup qualifier before he stepped up in stoppage-time to send the perfect strike over the wall and into the top corner. The goal guaranteed England's passage and ensured Beckham's status as the country's number one sporting superstar.

RONALDINHO (England v Brazil, June 2002)

The debate still rages whether Ronaldinho was shooting or crossing the ball when he lobbed David Seaman from 25 yards in this World Cup quarter-final. The ability the Barcelona playmaker has shown since appears to support his claim that he was indeed going for goal with this audacious effort that admittedly caught Seaman marginally off his line but was still stupendously accurate.