Brazilian Defender's Goal Celebration Ends in Unexpected Hole Incident

A Brazilian’s goal celebration went badly wrong when he jumped over advertising boards after scoring, only to fall down a hole in the ground. Jacy Maranhão, a defender for Coritiba, escaped without serious injury, though his spectacular moment proved in vain. A video assistant referee’s decision ruled out his goal in a Brazilian Série A encounter with Chapecoense that Coritiba thought was their second goal. They did win the game 2-1.

Running towards home fans after his 41st minute goal, with the ball tucked under his jumper to mark imminent fatherhood, the 29-year-old misjudged his hurdle of the hoardings. He plunged down the tunnel that leads to the away dressing room. That led to his enforced substitution two minutes after half-time.

“I twisted my foot. It’s a bit sore, but I’m fine,” he said having sat out the second half on the bench with ice on his ankle. “Centre-backs hardly ever score goals. I just got carried away.” Maranhão has scored nine goals in his career.

That was not the first time such an incident had occurred at the Estádio Couto Pereira. In 2014, Diederrick Joel Tagueu, a Coritiba striker, was injured when falling down the same hole while celebrating a goal. That one was not disallowed.