The world cup will be won and lost by goals. But often, it is not the goals themselves that we remember, but the celebrations that follow. We see more and more elaborate and memorable goal celebrations in league football, but at the highest level, it is still by and large a rarity. Nonetheless, there are enough good ones for us to compile a favourites. Some are are dramatic, some are cheeky and others are just outright goofy (though perhaps not as goofy as Christophe Dugarry's goal celebration against South Africa in France 98, where he stuck his tongue out, opened his eyes wide and jumped around like a clown!). Here, in no particular order, are five of the most memorable world cup goal celebrations.
Roger Milla dances at the corner flag
In Italia 90, Roger Milla scored a couple of braces, and each time he ran to the corner flag and did a dance that involved shaking his booty before his teammates clambered all over him. This would begin the trend of celebrating goals at corner flags, and would be reprised by Senegal at France 98, where the Senegalese would dance around Pape Bouba Diop's shirt hung on the corner flag after scoring against France in the opening game.
Vieri and Del Piero sit crossed-legged
When Christian Vieri scored in the 18th minute against Norway in their France 98 second round tie, Vieri and strike partner Alessandro Del Piero raced to the sideline and sat down crossed-legged facing each other, folding their arms. Their little performance lasted merely a few seconds before their compatriots crashed the act and a more conventional celebration ensued.
Ahn Jung-Hwan and Korea do ice skating
When Ahn Jung-Hwan scored his 78th minute equaliser against the USA in the group stage match, the entire Korean team decided to prove a point. Amid controversy that a speed skating medal was unfairly snatched from Korea just a short while prior at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, Ahn led the Korean team to a speed-skating celebration at the corner flag to exact justice over Olympic host and benefactors USA.
Marco Tardelli's final euphoria
At the highest stage, the Espana 82 world cup final against Germany, with Italy leading 1-0, Marco Tardelli smashes home from the edge of the box, and begins a euphoric run that cannot be described but can only be appreciated. His sheer joy is a delight to watch in what is possibly the most earnest burst of emotional expression to be captured in football.
Bebeto and Brazil rock the cradle
Perhaps the greatest goal celebration at any world cup - when Bebeto beat the Dutch offside trap to make it 2-0 in the USA 94 quarter-final, he ran to the touchline rocking his hands as if rocking an imaginary baby, in honour of his newborn son back in Brazil. He is immediately joined by teammates Romario and Mazinho, in what must be one of the lasting memories, not just of USA 94, but of all world cup goal celebrations.
Do you have a world cup goal celebration that rivals these five? post a comment and tell us which one!
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