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Video: French Soccer Fan Goes Rogue and Beats the Keeper on Ceremonial Kickoff

He even got a hug from the coach!

Dan Gartland

Video: French Soccer Fan Goes Rogue and Beats the Keeper on Ceremonial Kickoff
Video: French Soccer Fan Goes Rogue and Beats the Keeper on Ceremonial Kickoff /

An Olympique Marseille fan fulfilled a dream before the club’s game Sunday against Toulouse, but he had to go off script to do it. 

OM invited Kamel Zaroual to take the ceremonial kickoff before the game, in recognition of his recent 1,200-mile charity bike ride raising money for children in need. Just being on the pitch would be enough for most fans, but not Kamel. He took off on a breakaway through a Swiss cheese Toulouse defense and beat keeper Alban Lafont with a shot to the bottom corner. He even got a hug from Marseille manager Rudi Garcia. 

It was a bad day for Lafont, who also got beaten by two legitimate Marseille players in a 2–0 loss. 

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Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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