Jacy's Wild Celebration Ends in Injury and VAR Controversy

For a few seconds at the Couto Pereira Stadium, Jacy Maranhao was living every centre-back’s dream.

Coritiba were 1-0 up against Chapecoense in Brazil’s top flight, 41 minutes on the clock, when the 29-year-old defender rose to meet a cross and powered his header home. A rare goal, a roar from the stands, a surge of adrenaline.

He took off towards the fans, arms wide, riding the noise. One leap over the advertising boards to get closer to the crowd – and then he vanished.

Jacy disappeared straight down the tunnel that leads to the away dressing room, swallowed by a gap on the other side of the hoardings. The celebration turned slapstick in an instant.

He eventually clambered out, gingerly, the rush replaced by a grimace. The ankle had gone. The defender tried to carry on, but the damage was done; he was withdrawn shortly after half-time.

Then came the second blow.

VAR stepped in and ruled the goal out, stripping away the one moment that had sparked all the chaos in the first place. No goal on the scoreboard, but a painful souvenir on the ankle and a clip destined to live online for years.

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

The match moved on without him. Coritiba held their nerve and still came away with a 2-1 win, but the story of the night belonged to the defender who quite literally fell victim to his own joy.

Historical Context

And at Couto Pereira, this isn’t exactly new.

Back in 2014, Cameroon striker Joel did almost the same thing, jumping the barriers and tumbling down the same passageway during Coritiba’s 3-1 victory over Sao Paulo. Different year, different player, same treacherous drop behind the boards.

The lesson? At this stadium, when the ball hits the net, it might be worth checking what’s behind the advertising before you celebrate.