Claudio Caniggia

Who is Claudio Caniggia?

Claudio Paul Caniggia is an former Argentine football player who played as forward or winger. Caniggia played 50 times for the Argentine national team. He appeared in three World Cups, and was a member of both rival clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors. Caniggia was known for his speed as a player and competed in Athletics before his football career, competing in athletic tournaments at the provincial level. running the 100 meters.

At the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Caniggia scored two key goals to help Argentina reach the final. In the opening game of the tournament against Cameroon, he was memorably fouled three times in a single dribble, the last taking him out and earning the Cameroonian a red card. In the second round match against Brazil, a pass by Diego Maradona put him through against goalkeeper Taffarel, with Caniggia dribbling past him and slotting the ball into the net to give Argentina victory. In the semi-final against Italy, he headed past goalkeeper Walter Zenga, the first goal Italy conceded in the tournament, sending the match into extra time as Argentina won on penalties.