Opening World Cup goals and how they reflect the rest of the tournament
In the build-up to a World Cup, there is speculation, excitement and wonder; speculation and excitement for what is expected, and wonder for what is not.
When the opening match finally comes along and the ball hits the back of the net for the first time, some of those questions that we had before the tournament begin to be answered.
Opening goals at World Cups in many ways reflect the events that follow. The World Cup is ephemeral. It comes along once every four years and combines the world’s collective imagination adding to its eminence.
When the tournament finally starts, after the restless wait before the World Cup begins, a goal is eventually scored. The opening goal is important for several reasons: the home fans introduce themselves to the world, the home team can make an early statement, and together, the audience can get an idea of the underlying heartbeat of the tournament to come.
It has become increasingly difficult to romanticize the World Cup because of FIFA’s corruption…
