With 36 days until the 2026 World Cup, we continue highlighting remarkable goals from World Cup history. Today's story features Nelinho's stunning strike in the 1978 Argentina World Cup third-place match between Brazil and Italy.
People still ask whether Nelinho meant to do it. Those who question clearly never watched him play. The Rio de Janeiro-born right-back scored approximately 175 career goals — an incredible number for a full-back. His most famous goal came against one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Collecting the ball on the right wing in what looked like a crossing position, he instead curled the ball past legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff into the far corner.
Nelinho explained that he knew Zoff would expect a cross, so he decided to shoot. Those unfamiliar with his style questioned whether he intended it, but anyone who watched him regularly knew this was his specialty. If he wanted to cross, he would have used the inside of his foot. Instead, he struck the ball with the outside of his boot, generating perfect curve. The ball initially seemed headed wide before swerving dramatically. Zoff was caught off guard, and by the time he reacted, it was far too late.
