World Cup football is a big match. Fight between world famous stars. The country’s struggle is also involved in this competition. There is no less history surrounding football wars. Various events have happened in this competition which has been going on for decades. Some of these incidents have been widely debated. Even after a few decades, those events are still discussed.
These are some of the most talked about controversies of the World Cup.
Hand of God (1986)
Eighty’s first goal of the World Cup semi-final match. Diego Maradona’s goal that beat Peter Shilton is still debated today. The prince of football jumped to hit the goalkeeper’s head and pushed the ball into the goal with his hands. But in the excitement of the match, it escaped the referee’s eyes. The wounds of the loss of that match are still burning in the minds of the British.
Three Yellow Cards to a Footballer (2006)
Croatia and Australia met in a World Cup group-stage match in Germany. In the 61st minute of the match, Croatia’s footballer Šimunić received a yellow card for a foul. Red again saw a yellow card for a heinous foul in the last leg of the regular time game. English referee Graham Pole did not ask Simunic to leave the field after showing two yellow cards. The Croatian footballer fouled again in the 93rd minute of the match. Then the referee showed him a red card from the field. In recent times, this incident has been studied.
South Korea Match-Fixing (2002)
The World Cup was held in Japan and South Korea in 2002. South Korea’s performance in the World War II theater that year far exceeded expectations. But two days after Italy and Spain’s loss against South Korea in the knockout phase, the referee’s decisions are still under investigation. Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno disallowed a goal by Italy striker Francisco Totti. Italy lost in this round of 16 matches with Ahn Jung-Hwan’s golden goal. After this, Spain’s two goals were disallowed in the Spain-South Korea match. Offside went against Spain. South Korea won this match to reach the finals.
England vs West Germany Final (1966)
England and West Germany met in the 1966 World Cup final. England won the World Cup only once, defeating West Germany 3-2. In the 101st minute of that match, a shot by England striker George Hurst hit the goalpost and dropped to the ground. The referee scored it. But it has long been debated whether that shot crossed the goal line or not.
The Battle of Santiago (1962)
In the 1962 Chile vs Italy match, the fans of the two countries were involved in a fight. Even the police had to come down to stop the fight. This match was also at the center of controversy.
Frank Lampard’s goal disallowed (2010)
England and Germany faced each other in the quarter-final match of the 2010 World Cup. A shot from England midfielder Frank Lampard hit the post and went wide of the goal line and was saved by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The referee did not score that shot. Germany won 4-1. But the English fans are still excited about that goal.
Stealing the World Cup (1966)
The 1966 World Cup was held in England. But four months before the start of the World Cup, the World Cup was stolen from an exhibition hall. It was stolen and a ransom of 15,000 pounds was demanded. Controversy also spread over this incident.