A Header, a Leap, and an Open Void
Coritiba held a 1-0 lead when the 29-year-old player connected with a header past the Chapecoense goalkeeper. Believing he had doubled the advantage to 2-0, the defender began an enthusiastic celebration. Coritiba’s team captain placed the ball under his shirt to mimic a baby bump in dedication to his pregnant wife, while Jacy sprinted toward the stands and attempted to leap over the advertising barriers.
Instead of landing on solid ground or a walkway, Jacy cleared the barrier and dropped straight down into an open access tunnel leading directly to the stadium dressing rooms. Plunging into the bunker-like entrance behind the advertising boards, the defender vanished from view. According to on-field observations, his teammates froze before rushing to the edge of the bunker, while a security guard sprinted down the stairs to check on his condition. The fall resulted in a sprained ankle for the Coritiba defender.
VAR Intervenes and the Injury Deepens
Compounding the defender’s physical injury, video assistant referee (VAR) technology reviewed the play upon Jacy’s return to the pitch and determined the initial goal was invalid due to an offside infraction. Despite attempting to play through the discomfort, Jacy managed to finish the first half but requested a substitution just two minutes into the second half following treatment from the club’s medical team.
A Bizarre Echo From 2014
Social media users quickly highlighted historical parallels to the incident.
Securing the Result Despite Chaos
Despite the unusual disruption and the defender’s injury, Coritiba secured the victory, defeating Chapecoense 2-1.
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