In our blog post last week, we looked at the top five World Cup goals ever. In this week's effort, we're taking a gander at the less-exalted sister of the goal: the celebration.
Some goals are famous because they're glorious. Some goals are famous because the celebrations that accompany them were an amazing sight in themselves. In this blog we're going to take a look at the most hilarious, most ridiculous, and most legendary celebrations the World Cup has ever seen!
5. Gordon Strachan: West Germany vs Scotland, 1986
Ah, the '80s. A time of rubbish music, rubbish fashion, and rubbish haircuts. As most of society crumbled to new depths of rubbishness, the Scottish national team tried to fight gloriously against the rot. The plucky underdogs tried to threaten more successful teams during their time at the World Cup, and were determined to make a mark on the biggest tournament of them all.
Needing a win against West Germany to progress to the second round for the first time ever in their history, they got off to a flyer when tiny ginger tyro Gordon Strachan put them ahead early on. Alas, his celebration seemed to act as a microcosm for the rest of Scotland's performance: it started off well, but... fizzled out at the key moment.
Strachan wanted to hurdle over the advertising boards to celebrate. Instead, upon approach, he realised they were too big for him, did an awkward little hop, and then attempted to stretch his leg on top of the hoardings. Awkward. Scotland eventually lost 2-1, while Strachan's celebration is celebrated for being 'so bad it was good'.
4. Roger Milla: Cameroon vs Colombia, 1990
The Cameroon side of Italia '90 was the first great African side to grace the World Cup. From beating Argentina in their first game and topping the group, to sneaking past Colombia in the second round, Cameroon were a genuine shock to many and their progress was greeted with joy amongst nearly all neautrals. They reached the quarter-finals, the first African team to do so, but fell to England. No African team has ever surpassed this.
Spearheading the Indomitable Lions that summer was 38 year-old Roger Milla, who had answered the call of his President to come out of international retirement for the tournament. The move was a good one: Milla was a massive success, scoring four goals in Cameroon's five games, including two against Colombia in the second round.
These two goals were accompanied by one of the most enduring images of the World Cup. After each goal, Milla ran to the corner flag and performed a beautifully carefree dance that captured the devil-may-care attitude of the Cameroonians. An abiding memory of any World Cup, let alone Italia '90.
3. Bebeto: Netherlands vs Brazil, 1994
The celebration that started it all. Well, not everything. But Bebeto's rock-the-baby celebration was an inspiration to hundreds of footballers all over the world for when they finally became fathers. Mere days after his wife had given birth to their third child, the Brazilian was scoring against Holland in Brazil's 3-2 victory in the quarter-finals.
After rounding the 'keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net, Bebeto wheels round to the touchline, swinging his arms in a rocking motion with a huge grin on his face. His teammates Romario and Mazinho join him, all three rocking their imaginary babies, juxtaposing two of life's greatest achievements: becoming a father and scoring at the World Cup.
For people who watched the game live and witnessed the celebration, here's something to make you feel old: the baby whose birth was being honoured that day, Mattheus, made his debut for Flamengo in 2012 at the grand old age of 17. Bet his father is pretty proud.
2. Diego Maradona: Argentina vs Greece, 1994
USA '94 was Diego Maradona's fourth World Cup finals. He had played in all of the three tournaments prior to this, basically winning the 1986 World Cup single-handedly. However, success had gone to the head of the Argentinian, and booze, women, and cocaine had brutally diminished his killer edge by the time the summer of 1994 arrived.
He was still undroppable however, and after scoring a fine goal against Greece it looked as if the faith in the little genius had been well placed. His celebration may have warned of the scenes to come however, as the Argentine ran towards the camera, a frankly maniacal glint in his eye. He throws back his head and roars while his teammates surround him.
After the game, Maradona was subject to a random drug test and failed. He was sent home in disgrace, the test ruling that he had been ephedrine doping. How 'random' the drug test was after the authorities saw this celebration, we may never know.
1. Marco Tardelli: Italy vs West Germany, 1982
It's fitting that the best goal celebration of all time also followed one of the most important goals. Marco Tardelli's finish against West Germany in the final of the 1982 World Cup helped Italy to their third World Cup title. The goal itself was nothing out of the ordinary: a shot from the edge of the area that found the bottom left corner was good, but not one of the greats. But the celebration... Well, that's a different story.
Tardelli wheels away, and runs. And runs. And runs. He runs nowehere in particular, arms outstretched, screaming words that no-one can hear over the din of the crowd, his face an etching of utter euphoria.
There isn't much I can say about this celebration. Just watch it, and realise this is what it means to score in a World Cup final.
Have you seen any better World Cup celebrations than these? Get in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments box below!
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Click to ClaimSam publishes regular feature and tips pieces for Howtobet4free. He has a blog, crackingjabulanis.blogspot.co.uk, and can be found on Twitter by following @Gaytski.
