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Saudi Arabian ace whose goal was better than Maradona was imprisoned after World Cup

Saeed Al-Owairan went from World Cup hero to the inside of a prison cell having returned to Saudi Arabia after scoring a stunning goal compared to Diego Maradona

Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the best goals in World Cup history in 1994

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Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the greatest goals inWorld Cuphistory while starring for Saudi Arabia - but ended up in prison after returning home after the tournament.

The attacking midfielder was named in Jorge Solaris squad for the 1994 tournament in the United States and starred as he and his team-mates reached the knockout stages.

Having reached their first ever World Cup in the United States, their entertaining team even took the lead against the Netherlands in their opener in a sign of things to come.

READ MORE:Phil Foden and Luke Shaw among England stars to smooch WAGs while celebrating Wales win

In their ranks was the inspired Al-Owairan, who crowned the tournament with a mazy run that has even been cheekily dubbed better than Maradona who scored one of the best solo goals in history eight years earlier against England.

Needing a point to secure progression after losing to the Netherlands and beating Morocco - Al-Owairan picked up the ball just outside the Saudi Arabia penalty area and accelerated between two Belgian defenders before running at the back four.

Skipping around another, only Rudi Smidts stood in his way, but the ball was bundled past the legs of the defender before beingexpertly lifted over Michel Preudhomme.

What is the greatest goal in World Cup history? Tell us in thecomments sectionbelow

Saeed Al-Owairan dazzled as he tore Belgium apart before scoring

Diego Maradonas iconic goal against England came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico

The run saw Al-Owairan beat four players over a distance of 69 meters, turning out to be the only goal of the game as Saudi Arabia made the last 16 - losing 3-1 to Sweden.

Following the tournament, that included his goal which was later voted sixth best in FIFAs Goal of the Century rankings, things didnt go so smoothly for the Asian Footballer of the Year.

Returning to his native country due a law that prevented Saudi Arabians from playing abroad, in 1996 he was caught drinking alcohol and socialising with women - during Ramadan.

Al-Owairan was handed a prison sentence of some months for his actions, as well as being suspended from playing competitive football for a year.

He did made a return to the national side and played at the 1998 World Cup, but couldnt repeat his heroics from four years earlier.

At club level Al-Owairan played his entire career with Al-Shabab and scored over 200 goals, retiring in 2001 having made 75 appearances for Saudi Arabia and scoring 24 times.

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