Most Controversial Moments In The FIFA World Cup History

Controversies is one factor you just can't rule out from football. And the FIFA World Cup is a major footballing event that has had its own fair share of controversial moments. In this video, we will be taking you through some of the most high-profile controversial games in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Let's go! 7. SPAIN VS JAPAN 2022 One of the most controversial games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar definitely has to be the crunch encounter between Spain and Japan. It was a fixture where any possible outcome from the game could affect all four teams in Group E. This was as a result of how the group standings looked like heading into the final game. Spain led at half-time and looked set to secure passage into the round of 16 as group winners. However, the second half of the encounter produced a dramatic twist in Group E. Ritsu Dome equalised for Japan in the 48th minute, but a huge controversy struck three minutes later when Oh Tanaka scored Japan's second of the night. The assist leading to the goal sparked much controversy, as many believed that the ball had gone out of play, before Karu Mitoma played in a delightful cross for Tanaka to score and thus seal top spot for Japan. However, after several checks from the VAR, South African referee Victor Gomez awarded the controversial goal in favor of Japan. The game eventually ended 2-1 in favor of Japan. As a result, Germany, who defeated Costa Rica by four goals to two, were eliminated from the World Cup for the second time in a row. 6. Uruguay vs. Ghana 2010 The quarter-final game between Uruguay and Ghana during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will definitely go down as one of the most controversial matches in the history of the competition. It was a game where both South American striker Luis Suarez went from villain to becoming a hero for his national team Uruguay in a matter of minutes. Their opponents, Ghana, were close to becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg before a goal-mouth scramble saw Luis Suarez use both his hands to block a goal-bound header from Dominic Adia in stoppage time. Match referee Olegario Benkarenka immediately awarded a penalty to Ghana and handed a straight red card to Luis Suarez. However, Ghana's spot kick taker Azmo Jean missed a golden opportunity to send his country into the semi-finals with the last kick of the game as he hit the top of the crossbar with his penalty. The game eventually went into penalties with Uruguay defeating Ghana and dashing the hopes of millions of African fans in such a disappointing fashion. 5. England vs. Germany 2010. The much-heated controversy from the 2010 FIFA World Cup game between England and Germany led to one of football's biggest innovations in the goal-line technology. England midfielder Frank Lampard had an audacious long-range effort disallowed when it clearly crossed the line, despite the attempt from Germany goalkeeper Manuel to keep out the effort. Linesman Maurizio Espinoza and referee George Larionda both maintained their stand that the ball didn't cross the line and ended up allowing the game to continue with a goal kick, despite several calls from the England players. Many have argued that the disallowed goal would probably have changed proceedings as England would have been level 2-2 and had the momentum swing in their favour. However, the game eventually ended 4-2 with England getting knocked out of the competition in the round of 16. 4. England vs. West Germany 1966. The 1966 FIFA World Cup, which saw England win the competition on home soil for the very first time in their history, also had its own fair share of controversy. Match referee Gottfried Dienst and his assistant Taufik Baramov both combined to award a goal to the host nation of which many football fans, till this day, believe shouldn't have stood. England striker Geoff Hurst scored a controversial 101-minute strike, his second of a famous hat-trick against West Germany. The goal, which drew the three lines of England level in extra time, was said to have defied the laws of football, which says the whole part of the ball must cross the line before it will be awarded as a goal. However, in this case, only 97% of the ball had crossed the line following the strike from Geoff Hurst, but the goal stood, and England ended up winning the game by 4 goals to 2. The controversial goal has been dubbed the Ghost Goal of 1996. 3. South Korea vs. Italy Another controversial moment in the history of the FIFA World Cup tournament has to be the 2002 Round of 16 fixture between South Korea and Italy. The Asian team had a joint hosting bid with Japan, but were however accused of being favoured by match officials during their controversial run to the semi-finals. One of such games was against Italy, where match referee Byron Moreno stole the spotlight. Following his controversial officiating, the Ecuadorian official disallowed what was a legitimate golden goal by Italy's Damiano Tomasi in extra time, which could have seen the European giants advance into the next round of the competition. It didn't just stop there, as things eventually got even worse for Italy when star player Francesco Totti was sent off by Byron Moreno for an alleged dive, when replays showed that he actually missed his footing. The host country were then handed a controversial penalty against 10-man Italy in extra time, after Cristian Panucci was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box on 18 South Korean forward Ahn. Yoon Kwan missed the resulting spot kick, but went on to score the winner, and one of his country's most important goals in history to send Italy out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Overall, the game was one of the numerous controversial officiatings that took place in the maiden cup competition hosted by Korea and Japan. 2. France vs Italy 2006 Many fans will remember the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by Germany. However, the major controversial highlight of that tournament came in the final game between France and Italy. Both goalscorers on the night, Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi, were involved in one of the most controversial and heated moments in the history of the World Cup. An off-the-ball incidence between the duo saw match official Horacio Elizondo hand a straight red card to France captain Zinedine Zidane for an improper conduct on the field. The French midfielder shockingly headbutted Materazzi after the Italian was said to have insulted Zidane's sister during a back-and-forth tussle between both players. 10-man France will go on to lose on penalties to Italy, while Zinedine Zidane ended his illustrious football career on a disappointing note. 1. Argentina vs England 1986 Of course, this video wouldn't be complete without mentioning the 1986 FIFA World Cup game between Argentina and England, which saw the famous hand of God, which was scored by the late Diego Maradona. It was a game where the Argentine legend scored both the goal of the century and one of the most controversial World Cup goals of all time. Maradona used his left hand to control the ball past rushing England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, to score in the second half. The match official, Ali Bin Nasser, didn't spot the infringement and, as such, awarded the goal to Argentina. After the game, goalscorer late Maradona confessed to handling the ball with his left hand. In an interview, he said, I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me, and no one came. I told them, come hug me, or the referee isn't going to allow it. Argentina went on to win the game by two goals to one, with Maradona also winning the golden ball for the 1986 edition of the FIFA World Cup. Which other controversial FIFA World Cup game or moment can you think of? Please, do well to drop your opinions in the comments section below this video. If you enjoyed watching this video, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe to the channel and turn on the bell notifications, so you don't miss our future videos.