The best celebrations

Since I started watching the world cup, the game has changed significantly. And so have the celebrations, but not always for the better. When I think of good celebrations, I don’t think of undressing or posing, just pure unadulterated joy. Whom you won’t see: Patrick Kluvert, Michael Laudrup, or Daniel Amokachi (what was he thinking). So here are my most memorable.

1986 — Hugo Sanchez — He scores vs. Belgium, then does his customary back flip. It’s too bad we only got to see the back flip once in the world cup.

1982 – Falcão – Anybody that can juke 3 guys on one move deserves to run like a madman after he scores. He thought he got the semi final clincher. It’s too bad for Brazil that Paolo Rossi disagreed.

1990 – Jurgen Klinsmann – Germany’s match against Holland is better known for the heated altercation between Voller and Rikjaard, but Klinsmann’s goal put Germany on their way, and elated jumping worked the San Siro into a German frenzy.

1994 – Rashid Yekini – Imagine you’re the guy the scores the first world cup goal in the history of your nation. Yekini espressed his joy with clinhed fists inside the Bulgarian goal. A great moment for him and Nigeria.

1982 — Marco Tardelli – Now imagine you’re the guy who scores a clincher to actually win the cup. Tardelli socres on a beautiful crossing shot, then runs to nowehere in particular with a look of joy and disbelief. Did I just win the world cup for my country? Yes, you did!!

1998 – Ricardo Pelaez – Mexico gave up a tough luck goal vs. the Koreans in Lyon. Pelaes equalized right after halftime, slides on the pitch, then is mobbed by his teammates. A matador brace followed soon after.

1994 — Kennet Andersson — He scored a few goals for Sweden, and punctuacted each one with an Australian Rules football style salute. It was cute, and contagious because he got to do it more than once.