Roy Keane celebrated wildly after scoring the winner for ITV in a pundits match against the BBC at the World Cup in Qatar.
Keane is out in Doha covering the tournament for ITV and proved to be the match-winner in a kickabout organised by the terrestrial broadcasters. With a two-day break between the last-16 ties and the quarter-finals, the pundits took the opportunity to play a match.
A friendly rivalry exists between the two broadcasters – and looked to have been transferred onto the pitch. ITV posted a clip on social media showing former Manchester United midfielder Keane, 51, clinching the game with a late goal.
ITV play a ball over the top of the BBC defence, but goalkeeper Micah Richards saves the first volleyed attempt. Unfortunately for him, the ball drops to Keane, who runs onto it, strikes the ball, somewhat scruffily, but benefits from a deflection off a BBC defender to beat Richards in goal.
In the clip, which ITV have slowed down for dramatic effect, Keane wheels away, hand aloft before ripping his T-shirt off. He then runs off, spinning it above his head before jumping over a wheelie bin and being bundled to the floor by his ecstatic teammates.
In a caption, ITV Football’s Twitter account wrote: “A day off for the @ITVSport team today in Doha so of course we played football. So enjoy this glorious moment as Roy Keane scores the golden goal against none other than special guest @MicahRichards. Fancy a rematch @BBCSport?”
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Former United assistant manager, Mike Phelan, who played alongside Keane, was not surprised by the Irishman’s goal. "No shock to see Roy Keane being on the spot there picking up the second ball," he tweeted.
The glorious winner is a continuation of ITV getting one over the BBC. The broadcaster had England’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday and will once again be the channel to show the Three Lions’ quarter-final against France at 7pm on Saturday.
The BBC’s lead presenter at the World Cup, Gary Lineker, has often poked fun at their rivals, but made a blunder after England’s win over Wales in the group stages, by inadvertently advertising ITV’s coverage of the Senegal game.
Saturday’s match will be presented by Mark Pougatch, with Keane likely to be joined by former England internationals Ian Wright and Gary Neville. Presenter Laura Woods has been joined by Karen Carney for additional pitchside reporting at previous games.
The BBC, meanwhile, have seen Lineker joined by the likes of Richards, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Williams for recent matches. They have been joined by Alex Scott, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klinsmann and others.
