Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Like millions of kids around the world, Santiago harbors the dream of being a professional footballer... However, living in the Barrios section of Los Angeles, he thinks it is only that—a dream. Until one day an extraordinary turn of events has him trying out for Premiership club Newcastle United.
Goal! is a competent but formulaic sports drama that hits every expected beat of the underdog-makes-good story. Santiago's journey from LA barrios to Newcastle United is engaging enough but predictable at every turn. Acting is serviceable but unremarkable, with the real footballers (Zidane, Beckham) adding novelty but not depth. Cinematography benefits from real match footage and Premier League settings, giving it an authentic energy. The ending delivers the expected feel-good resolution without subverting or elevating the genre. As a sports movie it works on its target audience but offers little that distinguishes it from dozens of similar films.