5-shocking-world-cup-moments

5 shocking World Cup moments

The Fifa World Cup is always one of the highlights of the year! With the club teams’ seasons over, it’s a great way to fill the void until the start of the new football season!

There have been so many great goals over the years, but there have also been some huge talking points! Here are some of my favourites:

1. England - Lampard disallowed goal

The moment where football cried out for technology to be used! England were 2-1 to Germany when England midfielder hits a half-volley towards goal. The ball loops over the German keeper, canons off the crossbar and goes well over the line before bouncing out again, however, the goal isn’t given! Thankfully now, goal-line technology is in place. England went on to lose 4-1 but it could have been a different story had that goal been given.

2. Germany 7-1 Brazil

Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup and got through to the semi-finals of the competition with a tie against Germany, one of the favourites for the competition. It turned out to be a memorable game for Brazil, but for all the wrong reasons. They fell 5-0 down within the first 30 minutes, with the final score being 7-1. Brazil, known for their footballing brilliance, had been given a lesson no one had expected on their own turf.

3. Argentina - Maradona hand of god

It’s 1986 and England had drawn against Argentina in the quarterfinals. At 0-0, the ball is played into Maradona, one of the greatest players of his generation and ever to be seen on the football pitch; it looks like a comfortable catch for England keeper Peter Shilton, but somehow Maradona beats him to it and the ball ends up in the net. Replays show that Maradona had used his left hand to guide the ball into the empty net - the England players protest but the goal is given. He later goes on to score one of the most iconic World Cup goals, taking the ball past 3 or 4 England players before firing into the bottom corner.

4. France - Zidane’s red card

Zizou; one of the world’s greatest ever players is about to bow out in the final game of his playing career, in the 2010 World Cup final. Up against Italy, the game is evenly balanced when one of the most shocking World Cup moments ever occurred. Zidane was walking away from the penalty area, when he suddenly turned towards Italian defender Materazzi and then headbutts him. The referee has no choice but to send him off; as he leaves the field he walks past the World Cup, and Italy go on to win the game.

5. Uruguay - Luis Suarez’s bite

Luis Suarez, as prolific as he is for club and country, has been surrounded in controversy more than once, each time for biting his opponent! In 2014, with the ball out wide waiting for it to be crossed in, Suarez collides with Italian defender Chiellini and both players go down. At first, it looks like an accidental coming together, until the defender gets up and reveals his left shoulder where teeth marks are visible for all to see! Suarez was then banned from football for 4 months.

What are you most shocking World Cup moments? Tweet us and let us know!

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