35 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Claudio Caniggia
Brazil v Argentina
Italy 1990 | Last 16
Stadio delle Alpi, Turin
“When you watch it back, there are five Brazilians and only two Argentinians,” said Claudio Caniggia. “There seemed no way for us to score. But when Diego [Maradona] was part of the two, you were almost at an advantage.”
‘El Pibe de Oro’ had belied big numerical disadvantages to score against England and Belgium at Mexico 1986, and he did the same to provide an immortalised assist. Maradona collected the ball in his own half, somehow escaped Alemao, Dunga and Ricardo, and thread it through to Caniggia. Goalkeeper Taffarel rushed towards the ‘The Son of the Wind’, but the striker stylishly rounded him and slotted home to put Argentina in the quarter-finals.
“It was extraordinary,” continued Caniggia. “It was against our biggest rivals, in the World Cup, and it was a spectacular play from Diego. Two against five, it was as if we were characters on a video game.”
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