autonomous goal
[/ɔːˈtɑːnəməs ɡoʊl/]
nounpl: autonomous goals
gol contra
1. A goal scored in soccer/football when a player accidentally or deliberately kicks the ball into their own team's net, credited to the opposing team
The defender made a terrible mistake and scored an autonomous goal in the 45th minute.
O zagueiro cometeu um erro terrível e marcou um gol contra no 45º minuto.
2. In broader contexts, any action that inadvertently benefits one's opponent or harms one's own position
By revealing his strategy, the candidate scored an autonomous goal in the debate.
Ao revelar sua estratégia, o candidato marcou um gol contra no debate.
In Brazil, where football is deeply embedded in culture, 'gol contra' is a well-established term used not only in sports but also metaphorically in business, politics, and everyday discourse to describe actions that backfire. The term is instantly recognizable and frequently appears in sports journalism, commentary, and casual conversation among football fans.
Related Idioms & Phrases
score an own goal - cometer um erro que prejudica a si mesmo
shoot oneself in the foot - cometer um gol contra figurativamente
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