Santiago Cañizares' Injury That Cost Him a Spot at the 2002 World Cup

The goalkeeper was at his hotel room in Jerez, washing his feet and trying to clean a bottle of cologne. The bottle slipped, shattered, and sliced his right foot with a deep cut.

The injury rendered him immobile and required immediate medical attention. As a result, Cañizares missed the 2002 World Cup, forcing Spain to reshuffle its goalkeeping options.

The incident created an unexpected vacancy in the national squad just weeks before the tournament.