Celebration Gone Wrong: Jacy Maranhao's Ankle Twist at Couto Pereira

At the Couto Pereira Stadium, the celebration hurt more than the tackle.

With Coritiba 1-0 up against Chapecoense in Brazil’s top flight and the clock ticking towards half-time, defender Jacy Maranhao lived every centre-back’s dream. He rose, met the cross, and headed in what he thought was a crucial second goal in the 41st minute.

Then the real drama started.

High on adrenaline and the roar from the stands, the 29-year-old sprinted towards the fans, hurdled the advertising boards in one smooth motion – and vanished. On the other side, hidden from view, a tunnel leading down to the away dressing room swallowed him whole.

One second he was a goalscoring hero, the next he was out of sight and flat on his back.

Jacy eventually emerged, gingerly climbing out of the passageway, but the damage was done. He had twisted his ankle in the fall and, though he tried to carry on, the pain lingered. He was substituted shortly after half-time, his night cut short by his own celebration.

“I twisted my foot there. It’s a bit sore, but I’m fine,” he said afterwards, trying to laugh it off. “Centre-backs hardly ever score goals. So when you do score ... I just got carried away.”

The football gods were not finished with him. VAR ruled out the header, wiping his name off the scoresheet and turning the whole episode into a painful, pointless stunt. Coritiba still went on to win 2-1, but for Jacy the match will be remembered less for the result and more for the hole that opened up beneath his feet.

History Repeats

For Couto Pereira, this was not even a first.

In 2014, Cameroon striker Joel suffered almost the same fate, leaping the barriers in celebration during Coritiba’s 3-1 win over Sao Paulo and tumbling down the very same passageway. Different year, different player, same hidden trap beside the pitch.

The warning is clear now for anyone who scores there: enjoy the moment, feel the roar, but think twice before you take that leap.