Top 5 biggest scandals in World Cup history

The history of the World Cup, the biggest football tournament on the planet, is not only famous for heroic moments and beautiful goals, but also for controversial scandals. These scandals not only affect the results of matches but also create extensive debates about fairness and transparency in world football. 

Top 10 most shocking matches in World Cup history

1. Peru helps Argentina eliminate Brazil (World Cup 1978)

The tournament will be played in the form of the top 2 teams in each group playing the final. Argentina and Brazil are in the same group, with the same score before the final match. Brazil ended the previous match with 1 victory, their current difference is +5. Argentina has a +2 score, they understand that they must defeat Peru with a big score to help them advance.

Entering the match, Peru used an unfamiliar lineup and played superficially, in the end the match ended with a score of 6-0. Brazil was immediately eliminated because of the loss in goal difference, while Argentina that year reached the final and won the tournament.

2. Hand of God (World Cup 1986)

In the 51st minute of the quarter-final match between England and Argentina, "golden boy" Maradona rushed after an opposing defender's careless clearance. He then used his hand to push the ball over goalkeeper Peter Shilton's head, opening the score for the tango team. The referees could not detect the Argentine legend's handball movements and recognized this goal.

In addition to the above goal, Maradona also performed the most beautiful goal in history when he dribbled past five English players. The match ended with a score of 2-1 for Argentina, and of course the British could not swallow this anger. And the great genius of world football humorously explained: "That goal was scored by my head and the hand of God."

3. Referee favors Korea (World Cup 2002)

Host Korea's achievement of reaching the semi-finals is said to have a significant impact on the referee's part.

In the round of 16 match between Korea and Italy, referee Byron Moreno made many unfavorable decisions for the European representative, starting with the red card to send Totti off for diving (although the slow motion tape showed that he fouled). In extra time, Moreno continued to not recognize Vieri's legitimate goal for Italy. After that, Korea suddenly rose up and won 2-1.

In the quarterfinals, South Korea's opponent, Spain, was also denied a legitimate goal. Referee Gamal Ghandour (Egypt) thought the ball had crossed the line before Joaquin crossed the ball for Morientes to head past goalkeeper Lee Won Jae. However, the slow motion shows that both the "pitch king" and his assistant made the wrong decision.

4. Zidane's first strike (World Cup 2006)

The French legend played great before entering the final against Italy. Zinedine Zidane continued to show his high form by opening the score on a penalty kick, before Marco Materazzi leveled the score. The two teams drew 1-1, entering extra time. Zidane almost put France ahead with a header off the crossbar in the first extra time.

In the second extra time, he suddenly headbutted Materazzi in the chest when the two stood near the middle of the field, and received a red card. France lost to Italy in a penalty shootout. Materazzi later admitted insulting Zidane's sister, causing the former French player to lose his temper.

5. Lampard's disallowed goal (World Cup 2010)

The round of 1/8 match between the two teams England and Germany took place after more than half an hour with a 2-1 advantage for the German team. 38th minute,

Frank Lampard made a shot outside the penalty area. The ball hit the crossbar and went about a meter inside the goal line, but the referee did not see it and the goal was not recognized.

Psychologically tense after this situation, England slackened in the second half and allowed Germany to score two more goals, accepting to stop on South African soil. To avoid repeating mistakes, FIFA applied goal-line technology from the 2014 World Cup, and arranged additional referees to stand on the goal line.