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On July 1, 1994 Nigeria battled Greece in what was the country’s third World Cup game at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, US.
The Super Eagles had shocked even themselves with a 3-0 win against a Hristo Stoichkov-led Bulgaria in their first-ever World Cup match, but were pegged back by an Argentine side inspired by Diego Maradona and Claudio Caniggia 2-1 in their second game.
Defeat or a draw against Greece in their last Group D tie would all but end their dream of advancing to the group stage, as Argentina already had six points, with Bulgaria, who also had three points, also had a chance of advancing, if they beat the Argentines. The Greeks were out already, having lost their first two games, but would they player the spoilers role against the Eagles?
First 45 minutes and score remained at 0-0 and Nigerians globally were apprehensive. Scottish ref Leslie Mottram then added two minutes. And that was it! Winger Emmanuel Amuneke, who had had a fine tournament, raced through from his own half, leaving three Greeks in his stride, before feeding the unmarked and onrushing Finidi George with a delightful pass. Finidi, then one of the best No.7s in the world, grabbed the chance with both hands, beating Christos Karkamanis, in goal for the Greeks, with a sumptuous lob on the edge of the box.
Finidi then dashed towards the corner flag and produced his now infamous urinating dog goal celebration. It was surely a celebration to behold.
Speaking to Tribal Football on his celebration 27 years later, Finidi explained, “My celebration at the World Cup was not planned. I did not even know that I was going to score at the World Cup, but after scoring the goal, I wanted to celebrate and I just did that spontaneously and till date people still talk about the celebration.”
netted Nigeria’s opening goal in the match with a deft lob and ran towards the corner flag to celebrate the now-infamous urinating dog goal celebration.
Many years later during an interview, Finidi revealed he did not premeditate the celebration.
‘’After scoring the goal, I wanted to celebrate and I just did that spontaneously, and till date people still talk about the celebration, Finidi said
Nigeria won the game 2-0 but couldn’t make it past the second round, after an unprecedented group stage performance.