Footballer Falls Into Trench Celebrating Goal, Which Was Then Disallowed by VAR

Coritiba captain Jacy Maranhão experienced one of the season's most unusual goal celebrations when he fell into an open trench beside the field after scoring.

In the 44th minute of the match against Chapecoense, Maranhão ran towards the sideline and jumped, unaware that an open passage to a tunnel lay just beyond the advertising boards. He landed in the trench, and the uncomfortable fall resulted in an injury that forced him to leave the game at the start of the second half.

Adding to the bizarre turn of events, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) later reviewed the play and disallowed the goal for offside. The incident drew comparisons to a strange scene during the 2010 World Cup when Serbian player Milan Jovanović also ended up in an area beside the field during a celebration.

According to The Sun, citing Brazilian sources, the area where Maranhão fell is usually closed off. However, club staff had opened the passage as the first half neared its end, and the defender was apparently unaware of what lay behind him.

Despite the unusual events surrounding Maranhão's disallowed goal, Coritiba secured a 2-0 victory. Goals from Tiago Coser in the 31st minute and Pedro Rocha in the 82nd minute sealed the win, with Tulio Eduardo scoring a late consolation for Chapecoense. The win moved Coritiba to ninth place in the Brazilian league standings.