Many heard about the resilient effort put up by the Iraqi side against Euro Champions Spain yesterday in their Confederations Cup match, but what most missed was Gassid’s flop near the end of the first half.  The game was tied 0-0 at that point and after a cross was delivered off a free kick, Spanish defender Sergio Ramos went to the net but quickly avoided Gassid after he grabbed the loose ball.  Missing his head ever so slightly, the Iraqi keeper played along anyways.

Iraq would eventually lose 1-0 after a David Villa goal.

The sad display makes Gassid seem as though he has suffered the same fate as Oupa Ngulube (gruesome leg break), or Anthony Van Loo (horrifying heart attack).  That’s what makes the whole thing so disturbing.  Maybe seeing TO duke it out with supermodel Joanna Krupa has him looking for an acting role on television.  And the Oscar goes to…