Caniggia and the holy water

Day -690. Worldcup2018

Yesterday's tree incident (see yesterday) got me thinking about Claudio Caniggia's incredible winner against Brazil in the 1990 World Cup. One of the most boring World Cups but, as I've said before, one that seems to have produced some pretty strong, lasting memories.

The Caniggia goal was incredible not just because it was against Brazil at a World Cup, nor because of Maradona's wonderful pass to set him up. It was a perfect example of a smash and grab win for Argentina. Brazil had completely dominated the match, but, as the wise football people say, only goals win football matches.

Years later it became the match of the "holy water affair". Brazilian defender, Branco, said he had a drink from an Argentinian water bottle just before the goal and felt dizzy afterwards. Maradona said the Argentinian physio encouraged the Brazilian players to have a drink when he came onto the pitch to tend to an injured player. And he did this, Maradona revealed many years later, because the water wad laced with tranquilizers. The Argentinian coach of the time, Bilardo, when asked (soon after Maradona's admission) whether it was true could only say, "I'm not saying it didn't happen."

Nothing came of the allegations but it just heightened the rivalry for future meetings.

On top of the goal against the run of play, the other thing that always stuck in my head was the image of how shallow the goals were. I mean, look at the short distance between the goal line and the back of the net. And they seem to drop down vertically rather than have the angle of other nets. This was in Turin. I seem to remember that Naples was the same. Must be an Italian oddity. Holy Water Affair, beautiful Caniggia goal and I remember the goal nets.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wu0FfcdZQ18