Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Goal by Rincón

It happened at the World Cup in 1990. Colombia was playing better than Germany, but was losing the match 1–0.

Then, in the final minute, the ball reached midfield in search of a head with an electrified afro: Valderrama got the ball from behind, he turned, shook off three Germans he had no need of and passed to Rincón. The ball traveled from Rincón to Valderrama, Valderrama to Rincón, yours and mine, mine and yours, touch after touch, until Rincón loped forward several paces like a giraffe and faced Illgner, the German keeper, alone. Illgner covered the goal completely. So Rincón didn’t kick the ball, he caressed her. And she slid softly between the goalkeeper’s legs and scored.