Top Five Shocking Moments in World Cup History
You won’t believe #4!
Soccer is a wonderful sport that brings the world together but at times it can tear the world apart, especially when there are times where the most unexpected can take a turn for the worst and change the game altogether. I have hand-picked 5 times that soccer fans were extremely upset with the events.
Honorable Mentions:
Luis Suarez — The Bite of the Century (Uruguay vs. Italy)
In the 2014 World Cup, Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini with the score being 0–0. Suarez was not given any punishment in game, but has bitten people before. As the video shows, he bit both Otman Bakkal in 2010 and Branislov Ivanovic in 2013. Since it has happened before, but without as much attention, some people were not surprised, which is why it didn’t make the list.
Sheikh Fahad — No Goal (France vs. Kuwait)
In the 1982 World Cup, Kuwait was far behind France in a 3–1 when France scores a 4th goal. The Arab team had reportedly heard a whistle and stopped playing while it was allowed, which the team tried to argue that they thought the ball wasn’t in play. Prince Fahid, Kuwait’s FA president, came from the stands to help Kuwait’s squad convince the ref, and it worked. The ref disallowed the goal, which didn’t help much since France still won 4–1. The ref was banned from being a referee and the Prince was fined 8000 Euros.
#5: Arjen Robben — No Era Penal (Netherlands vs. Mexico)
As an avid Mexico fan, this call broke my heart when I saw it back during the 2014 World Cup. Arjen Robben, a Norwegian forward, faked a foul that convinced the referees that he was tripped inside the 18-yard box, which leads to a scored penalty that moved Netherlands past the round of 16, leaving Mexico behind. Mexico fans were devastated about the controversy, especially since the camera caught Robben’s blatantly fake trip.
#4: Andres Escobar — Own Goal (USA vs. Colombia)
In the 1994 World Cup, Colombia met USA as USA hosted the World Cup for the first time, for a match that would change Escobar’s life. Escobar was sliding for a deflection to save the ball from being passed, but the slide was very awkward and the ball ended up going in, dooming them to elimination in the first round. Colombia ended up losing that game, 2-1, and could have ended differently had that goal not happened. Escobar, as a result, was shot and killed a couple weeks later.
#3: Zinedine Zidane: Headbutt (France vs. Italy)
During the 2006 World Cup, France and Italy were facing off for the final round. The game was tied in overtime and in the 108th minute, in the middle of the play, Zidane headbutts Italian defender, Marco Materazzi. They hurl insults at each other, one hits Zidane too close to home and he hits Materazzi in the chest. The game was stopped, Materazzi was sent off for his injuries, and Zidane was sent off with a red card. Materazzi missed the first part of his next season and Zidane played his last game being sent off with a red card.
#2: Harald Schumacher — Broken Teeth (France vs. West Germany)
In the World Cup of 1982, France was the underdog team while West Germany was favorited second. The French were leading 3–2 when France’s substitute forward, Patrick Battiston, broke away from the defense to score. Shumacher ran towards the forward to save the ball but as Battiston got his shot off, Schumacher jumped in a controversial attempt to body slam Battiston. The result knocked Battiston unconscious with broken teeth, ribs, and vertabrae. Battiston survived the attack, but Schumacher did not suffer in game consequences.
#1: Diego Maradona - Hand of God (Argentina vs. England)
The legendary Maradona scored an extremely controversial goal against England during the 1986 World Cup. Maradona scored in the second half to finally put a number on the board. The referees and most fans did not see the hand so nothing was called. The game ended with a score of 2–1, Maradona scoring both goals of that game. Argentina went on to win the World Cup that year, thanks to a missed call.
