Iconic Moments in Football No.63
This week’s ‘Iconic Moment’ comes from the 1990 World Cup in the Second Round tie between Colombia and Cameroon.
Roger Milla shot to fame with a fantastic celebration after scoring his second goal of the game in a 2-1 win for his Cameroon side. It remains one of the enduring images of the tournament.
Milla gave Cameroon the lead a minute into the second half of Extra Time firing the ball past Rene Higuita at his near post. The Colombian goalkeeper really had to take the blame for the goal as he left too much space at his near post.
If there was any doubt about whether or not Higuita was to blame for the first goal, he was completely accountable for the second.
Three minutes later, Cameroon secured the win with a goal on the counter attack. Every outfield player was in the Cameroon half and a long hopeful ball was hit downfield. Higuita came racing out of his box to get the ball and took possession 40 yards or so from his own goal.
The goalkeeper played a one-two with a nearby defender but he had to stretch to get the ball back. Roger Milla sensed an opportunity, raced in and easily dispossessed Higuita and was suddenly 30 yards away from an open goal.
Milla ran in and despite a last-ditch dive from Higuita, tapped the ball into the unguarded goal.
The Cameroon striker ran off in celebration and over to the nearest corner flag. With an arm raised, he wiggled his hips and danced for a few seconds facing the corner flag. The celebration became known ‘The Roger Milla’ and has been imitated many times since.
At the time it was a very unusual way to celebrate a goal. There weren’t many foreign players in the English game and unknown players in the World Cup such as Milla were seen as something exotic.
Colombia scored a well-taken goal with five minutes left but Cameroon held on to progress to the Quarter Finals. In doing so, they became the first African side to reach the last eight of the World Cup.
Cameroon lost 3-2 in their next game against England but thanks to Milla, they became known the world over.
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