The Illuminated Goal
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The Illuminated Goal is a historic goal scored in 1975 in the Brazilian football league by Chilean defender Elías Figueroa.
The event took place on December 14, 1975, at the Estádio Beira-Rio. The home team, Internacional de Porto Alegre, was striving to win the Brazilian championship for the first time in its history. Eleven minutes into the second half, midfielder Valdomiro was driving the ball forward when he was fouled by a defender from the opposing team, Cruzeiro of Belo Horizonte. Referee Dulcidio Boschilia awarded a free kick.
The score was tied 0–0, and the sky was completely overcast.
Valdomiro took the free kick from the right side, sending the ball high into the box. Rising to meet it was Chilean central defender Elías Figueroa. At that precise moment, an unexpected ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the exact spot where Figueroa leaped higher than Cruzeiro's defenders. With a powerful header, he sent the ball into the net. The torcida colorada erupted in celebration, and the Beira-Rio was thrown into total delirium. It was the only goal of the match, and Internacional became champions.[1]