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The player who forgot how to celebrate

Julian Weigl had never scored a senior goal before his expert finish for Dortmund against Sporting CP last week – and, he quickly realised, he hadn't celebrated one either.

Julian Weigl opened his Dortmund account against Sporting on matchday three
Julian Weigl opened his Dortmund account against Sporting on matchday three ©Getty Images

You're 21. You've just scored your first goal for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in the UEFA Champions League, no less. The supporters are bouncing, your team-mates are bounding over. Then you realise: You don't have a clue what to do next. You are Julian Weigl.

Dortmund's match away to Sporting CP was 43 minutes old last week when Weigl's moment of brilliance doubled the visitors' advantage. He jinked past Elías before curling a magnificent shot beyond Ruben Semedo and into Rui Patrício's far corner. Not bad for a defensive midfielder.

"For the first minute I had my head in the clouds," Weigl told UEFA.com. "I was overwhelmed that the ball had gone in. I just ran and cried everything out. Since the last time I scored was a long time ago, I didn't really know how to celebrate. I don't know how to do a flip like Auba [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang] does. I just yelled and could have hugged the whole world.

Highlights: Sporting 1-2 Dortmund

"I had to stay focused because we still had a half to play. Fortunately we managed to win. So the goal was even more important since we later conceded which made the final score 2-1, so it helped us win the match. It was a very special moment for me. I had been waiting a long time for it."

Two days short of two years, to be exact: Weigl's previous goal came for 1860 München U19s before he joined Dortmund last summer. So will he have to wait as long for his next? "Well, it's not my first function. I try to keep improving in the areas which concern me more, the passing and defending. There is room for improvement. But I wouldn't be against scoring goals."

Weigl's strike was good, but not good enough to make the shortlist of five for Goal of the Week. Check them out and vote for your favourite here.

And if Weigl is ever in need of celebratory inspiration then he could do worse than check out these past masters ...

Five great goal celebrations: Ronaldinho, Ravanelli, Šuker and more