Salpingidis netted Greece's first ever World Cup goal


The game turned immediately in Greece's favour.

As half-time approached Greece coach Rehhagel threw on forward Georgios Samaras for defensive midfielder Sokratis Papastathopoulos as the Greeks, renowned for their defensive-minded play, seized the initiative playing some uncharacteristic attacking football. 

The pressure paid off when Dimitris Salpingidis netted Greece's first ever goal in a World Cup finals after his shot deflected into the net off Nigeria's Lukman Haruna to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Salpingidis thereby etched his name into Greek record books and celebrated jubilantly with the whole squad.

He had previously scored the winner in the World Cup playoff against Ukraine to take his country to South Africa.

 


Image: Dimitris Salpigidis celebrates after scoring Greece's first ever World Cup goal