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We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Vasyl Rats
France v Soviet Union
Mexico 1986 | Group C
Camp Nou, Leon
“From the first time I saw him play, Michel Platini was my idol,” said Vasyl Rats. That sighting had been in a 1980 friendly in Moscow. Rats was playing in the Soviet third division at the time, but he “trained as hard as I could to become as good as Platini.”
Despite being uncapped going into the year, the midfielder sneaked into Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s squad for Mexico 1986. There, Les Bleus were among the title contenders. Nobody had found a cure for the ‘Carré Magique’, with Platini hitting nine goals in five games to power them to UEFA EURO 1984 glory.
“It was an honour to play against Platini and France, but we were extremely confident we would win,” stated Rats.
That confidence showed in the 54th minute. Rats let fly from way out, arrowing the adidas Azetca into the top corner of Joel Bats’ net.
It helped secure Soviet Union a 1-1 draw that would ultimately see them avoid defending champions Italy and the mighty Brazil in the knockout phase. It also ensured that Rats, for one afternoon under the scorching sun at least, had outshone his hero.
