An English football statistician has helped convince FIFA to amend their records and award Gabriel Jesus an extra goal for Brazil.
Gabriel struck twice in a 3-0 win over Ecuador on his international debut in a September 2016 World Cup qualifier but FIFA ruled his first as an own goal by Walter Ayovi, who deflected the forward’s near-post effort into the net.
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Match reports from both the referee and the match commissioner recorded it as an own goal, but CONMEBOL records showed Gabriel as the scorer.
56-year-old Brazil fan and keen statistician Dennis Woods of Essex spotted the discrepancy and took it to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), who in turn took the case to FIFA.
On Tuesday, world football’s governing body confirmed it would amend its records and award the goal to Gabriel.
Woods’ intervention ensures Gabriel Jesus now has seven goals for Brazil, taking him one clear of Neymar and Paulinho as the Selecao’s top scorer under current coach Tite.
“I’ve previously only corrected the odd commentator here and there, but this is the first time I've changed FIFA records,” Woods told Brasil Global Tour
“I’ve been keeping complete records of Brazil since the early 1980’s and in 2006 I teamed up with four others to publish the book ‘Todos os Jogos do Brasil’.”
Dennis fell in love with the Selecao in 40 years ago and has since followed the five-time world champions all over the world.
“I saw my first game in 1978 (against England) and my interest just grew and grew to the point where I am now,” he said. “I have now attended 71 full Brazil internationals.”
Jesus, and Woods of course, will be in Lille next month as the Brasil Global Tour sees Brazil take on Japan at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on November 10.
