A soccer match in Colombia turned into an internet sensation this week after an almost unbelievable accident interrupted a penalty kick. The incident occurred in the 85th minute of a Torneo BetPlay game — Colombia’s professional promotion league, similar to a minor-league system feeding into the top division — between Leones and visiting club Atlético FC.
As Leones player Miguel Arboleda prepared to take a penalty, Atlético’s goalkeeper, Juan Múnera, tried the classic tactic of shifting side to side on the goal line to throw off the shooter’s concentration. In doing so, he repeatedly bumped the crossbar until it came loose — and the metal bar fell directly onto his own head.
Leones’ players immediately protested, and the referee had no choice but to halt play until the goal frame could be repaired. Footballers from both teams pitched in to help reset the crossbar into place before the game could resume.
Once play restarted, Arboleda missed his penalty attempt, and Leones went on to lose the match 3-0. The standout performer of the night was Atlético’s Germán Meneses, who scored all three goals in a hat-trick, lifting his club to ninth place in the promotion tournament standings with eight points.
You can watch the surreal moment and read more details in the original report from El Tiempo.
Source: Hecho surrealista en el fútbol colombiano: el travesaño del arco le cayó en la cabeza al arquero en pleno penalti (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Rick Dikeman.