Brazilian footballer Jacy Maranhão has become an unexpected internet sensation after a goal celebration went spectacularly wrong, sending him plunging into an open stadium tunnel in one of the most bizarre football moments of the year.
The unbelievable incident happened during Coritiba’s Brazilian Série A clash with Chapecoense at the Estádio Major Antônio Couto Pereira. Jacy thought he had scored Coritiba’s second goal shortly before halftime and immediately raced away to celebrate.
With emotions running high, the 29-year-old defender grabbed the ball, tucked it underneath his shirt in a celebration reportedly dedicated to his expected child, and sprinted toward the home supporters.
Then came the moment nobody expected.
Jacy jumped over the advertising boards — apparently unaware that an uncovered passageway leading toward the away dressing room was directly behind them.
Within seconds, the celebrating footballer completely disappeared into the opening, leaving teammates, security personnel and supporters stunned. Video of the dramatic fall quickly spread across social media, turning the celebration into a viral football moment.
Jacy managed to climb back out and initially continued playing, but the fall had taken its toll. He suffered pain in his ankle and was eventually substituted shortly after the second half began. Fortunately, reports indicated that he escaped without a serious injury.
But his nightmare was not finished.
After all the celebrating and the frightening plunge VAR reviewed the goal and ruled it out for offside.
Yes, Jacy had fallen into a stadium tunnel and hurt his ankle while celebrating a goal that ultimately did not even count.
Speaking afterwards, the defender admitted that emotions got the better of him, explaining that defenders do not score very often.
Coritiba at least gave Jacy something to smile about by eventually defeating Chapecoense 2-1.
Incredibly, Jacy is reportedly not the first Coritiba player to suffer a similar fate at the same stadium. Cameroonian striker Joel also fell into the tunnel during a celebration in 2014.
For Jacy Maranhão, what began as a dream goal became a combination of celebration, terrifying fall, injury and VAR heartbreak, all within a matter of minutes.
