Scoring an important goal obviously affects the outcome of a game. But it also sometimes changes the scorer's career -- as in the case with Japan and Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto.
Junichi Inamoto
His two goals in this past World Cup, a crucial second goal in Japan's 2-2 draw with Belgium and the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Russia, paid off the hard work he put in at Arsenal the previous season. These brought him not only "confidence" but also a new club in the English Premier League, Fulham.