World Football: Soccer's 30 Greatest Goal-Line Clearances

While goalkeepers usually garner most of the praise for stopping shots on the line, they are not the only ones that get involved with the action.

Defenders and outfield players are also known to get in on the action from time to time.

This slideshow is dedicated to those that get back and pick up the slack when they get the chance to shine.

Steven Tweed

A great clearance from the Scottish Premier League.

Pick-Up Classic

It may have been far from a professional match, but this was a great effort.

Richard Dunne

Aston Villa and Irish defender Richard Dunne shows his worth.

John Terry

John Terry does have his moments.

Tony Sinclair

Another great effort.

Teemu Tainio

Finnish New York Red Bulls player Teemu Tainio makes a great save.

Michael Essien

Chelsea sure do miss this guy.

Tony Beltran

Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran hits the deck hard after this great effort.

Water Boy

That's what I am talking about, water boy.

Compilation

Some great clearances together in one place.

Matt Lawrence

A last-gasp save.

Rovers

Blackburn Rovers denied Manchester United a late winner.

Dekel Keinan

Dekel Keinan makes a great stop against Bordeaux.

Villermann

Lower leagues still offer some great plays.

William Gallas

Spurs defender William Gallas saved a sure AC Milan goal with this effort.

Josh Gardner

Columbus Crew defender gets back to hustle this from getting to the line.

Ashley Cole

In this older compilation, Ashley Cole makes some brilliant clearances while he was still at Arsenal.

Fan Makes Clearance

A group of 28 fans played against Notts County in a fan-appreciation match, and one made this great clearance.

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta does well to keep this out.

Raul Albiol

A double goal-line save for the Real Madrid player.

Another Compilation

Some more great clearances collected here.

Sami Hyypia

Liverpool legend Sami Hyypia has several great clearances in this compilation.

Tomas Rincon

Using his head to get the ball out, literally.

Luis Suarez

You can hate him for it all you want, but Suarez's handball allowed Uruguay to go on to finish in the top half.

Bacary Sagna

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna gets up to get this out.

Martin Skrtel

Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3-1, on Dec. 30, 2011, and they have Martin Skrtel to thank for this clearance that kept the Reds up 2-1 with 20 minutes left.

Cherundolo

It may be a little hard to see, but this is nothing but pure effort.

Julian Bennett

Nottingham Forest player Julian Bennett denies Jermaine Beckford.

Tim Ream

New York Red Bull youngster Tim Ream proves he will go all out to save a goal.

Rene Higuita

There is nothing cooler nor more gutsier than this.