When a Goal Kick Becomes a Game-Winning Goal: Coritiba’s Keeper Steals the Show
2 February 2026
The Late Goal That Turned the Tie
In a rare moment that will be etched in Brazilian football history, Coritiba’s goalkeeper Pedro Rangel became an unlikely hero, guiding the away side to a priceless 1-0 victory over Cianorte in the first leg of the 2026 Campeonato Paranaense quarterfinal.
The match seemed headed for a goalless draw until the 86th minute, when the 25-year-old decided to strike a powerful goal from his own goal kick.
The ball travelled the length of the pitch, bounced in front of the opponent’s area, and somehow skipped past keeper Felipe Garcia, catching him off guard.
Garcia tried to gather it, but the ball crept into the net, a surprising and stylish strike that will be remembered long after this season.
With this goal—the first of Rangel’s professional career—Coritiba took a crucial lead ahead of the return leg on February 8 at Couto Pereira, where a draw could be enough to reach the semifinals.
Rangel joined Coritiba last season on loan from Fluminense, and the club bought 50% of his economic rights for about 1.5 million reais (roughly $312,000) in July, according to Globo.
Following this historic moment, the team now faces another tough away match against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian league’s next round.
Thus, what began as a routine day in Brazilian football became an unforgettable tale of a goalkeeper deciding to be both the scorer and the savior when it mattered most.
Punchline: Turns out the ball wanted to be a striker too—shipped straight to the back of the net. Talk about a mis-hit to remember.
Punchline: If your goalkeeper is scoring goals, the rest of the team might need a time machine to catch up—or at least a bigger trophy cabinet.
