At the 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile™, it was almost inconceivable that a player cutting their teeth at the global finals would scribe their name in the history books with a showstopping feat that is yet to be seen again on the game’s biggest stage.
However, Colombian midfield maestro Marcos Coll rose to the challenge by netting an ‘Olympic goal’, leaving Soviet goalkeeping legend Lev Yashin scratching his head as the ball floated into the net direct from a corner. The odds-defying effort would prove to be the turning point in a match for the ages at Arica’s Estadio Carlos Dittborn.
Not only was the goal astonishing for its rarity, it also provided the inspiration that Los Cafeteros so desperately needed as they found themselves trailing 3-1 and seemingly on course for a second group-stage defeat. Coll’s corner kick served to lift Colombian spirits and set the tournament rookies back on track, convincing them that they were not down and out just yet.
The Soviet Union had dominated proceedings from the off, striking three times within the opening 11 minutes. Colombia managed to pull one back before the break, only to see the swashbuckling Soviets extend their lead early in the second half. With 68 minutes on the clock, Coll conjured up his master stroke from the corner quadrant.
“There was a huge roar because I scored a goal against the man who was the best goalkeeper in the world at the time,” Coll said in an interview with FIFA in early 2014. “Everyone was excited because I had scored a direct Olympic goal from the corner and it was a great incentive for my country.”
At the time, the silky schemer explained that it wasn’t his intention to find the net direct from the set piece. He teased in a waist-high, inswinging delivery, and the combination of the curl and the wind outwitted the Soviet defender guarding the near post and the Black Spider as the ball squeezed its way home.
Just four minutes later, Antonio Rada halved the deficit for the South Americans, and Marino Klinger raced through to complete the most unlikely of comebacks in the closing stages. The 4-4 stalemate proved to be the crowning moment of Colombia’s first World Cup foray, which came to an end a few days later as they bowed out after the group stage.
Coll grew up immersed in the game. Football started out as a family affair, before developing into his passion over time. His father, Elias, was Colombia’s first FIFA referee, and it wasn’t long before this chip off the old block took to the pitch himself, going on to make his debut for Barranquilla-based side Sporting before his 17th birthday. He subsequently forged a stellar career in which he plied his trade for clubs in his homeland, Argentina and Mexico.
Years later, his love of the beautiful game blossomed in the next generation, with one of his five sons, Mario, also making a name for himself as an engine-room virtuoso and earning five caps for his country.
El Olimpico passed away in 2017 at the age of 81, but his name lives on in football folklore. Nobody has managed to follow in his footsteps and score an Olympic goal on the World Cup stage. While opportunity knocks with every passing edition, Coll remains the man to emulate.
Picture credits: FIFA Films
