39 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Careca
Brazil v France
Mexico 1986 | Quarter-finals
Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
His name made Brazilians wonder ‘What if?’ Careca had been injured on the cusp of Spain 1982. Without his lethal striking, a team electrifying in its quest to go down as the greatest side in World Cup history lost a thriller to Italy.
Careca was eager to make the most of his first chance on football’s biggest stage. He did. Four goals in four games propelled the Seleção into the quarter-finals.
Then came a classic.
Josimar stroked the ball into Muller, whose one-two with Junior flummoxed three Frenchman. Muller returned it to Junior instantly, leaving another sliding through thin air. Junior adroitly squared the adidas Azteca for Careca, who thwacked it past Joel Bats emphatically.
France ultimately won on penalties, but the work of art Careca and Co painted contributed to it going down as one of the greatest games in World Cup history.
Watch on FIFA
Careca | adidas Silver Boot | Mexico 1986
Futebol-arte
