71 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Dario Rodriguez
Uruguay v Denmark
Korea/Japan 2002 | Group A
Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
The Danes had done the hard part. Rene Henriksen headed away an Alvaro Recoba corner aimed at towering Uruguayans Sebastian Abreu and Gonzalo Sorondo.
The danger was all but dead when the ball dropped awkwardly for Pablo Garcia. The defensive midfielder nevertheless controlled it exquisitely with his right foot, took another impeccable touch with his left knee, and inventively looped the ball left to Rodriguez.
The left-back still had it all to do, but he unleashed a stunning, swerving left-foot volley into Thomas Sorensen’s top corner.
“I was supposed to be inside the area, but I had a hunch and stayed away, waiting for a second ball,” explained Rodriguez. “It wasn’t practiced or anything. I didn’t hesitate. I took the shot: a volley that ended up in the upper angle. It was like a missile!
“Normally those efforts end up way off target, in the stands, but fortunately it was a great goal. It’s nice to know that, as the years pass, so many people still remember and talk about that goal.”
