1. South Korea vs Italy (World Cup 2002, Korea-Japan)

Hosts South Korea succeeded in surprising the world by successfully qualifying for the semifinals at the 2002 World Cup which was held in Korea-Japan. However, this success could not be separated from controversy, especially in the round of 16 match in the era of South Korea meeting with a strong Italian team. In that match the referee made many strange decisions which greatly benefited the South Korean side.

The referee from Ecuador who was in charge of the match decided to annull the Italian player Damiano Tommasi’s goal for offside reasons, although in replays Tommasi’s position was clearly not offside. The worst thing was the red card of Francesco Totti, who was considered diving even though he was clearly violated by a Korean player.

2. Portugal vs Netherlands (World Cup 2006, Germany)

The match between Portugal and the Netherlands in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup in Germany entered the record books as the match with the most cards in the history of the World Cup. How could I not, in the match that was mentioned the referee issued 12 yellow cards and 4 red cards from his pocket for both teams. The four red cards were given to Van Bronckhost and Boulahrouz in the Dutch side and Deco and Bosingwa in the Portugal side. The referee was considered too easy to issue a yellow card and a red card.

In fact, Deco was given a red card just because he was late in giving the ball to a Dutch player who was about to take a free kick. Due to his poor leadership, the referee in charge of this match was sent home by FIFA before the official World Cup ended.

3. England vs Germany (World Cup 1966, England)

Controversy in matches can indeed occur at any time, including even in the World Cup Final. This happened in the 1966 final when hosts England met Germany. To the extent that 90 minutes the two teams drew 2-2 so the match needed to be continued in extra time. This is where the controversy occurred when England striker Geoff Hurst’s shot hit the bar over the German goal and bounced to the ground. The referee then decided it was a goal because the ball was considered to have crossed the German goal line.

Technology at that time still did not apply cameras near the goal, so replays needed to use camera results with a position that was quite far from the goal. As a result, the position of the ball is not very visible and it can be said that it is still fifty-fifty between having crossed the line or not. The German players’ protests were ignored by the referee and the kick was considered a goal. England were finally able to add one more goal and became champions after winning with the final score 4-2.

4. Argentina vs England (World Cup 1986, Mexico)

One of the most memorable matches in football history pitted England against Argentina in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico. One name in the spotlight is of course Diego Maradona. Not only because of his spectacular goal with which he passed 6 English players who is said to be the best goal of all time. However, because of the controversy, his very controversial Hand of God goal.

In an attack, Argentina finally triggered an aerial fight between Maradona and England goalkeeper, Peter Shilton. Unexpectedly, Maradona who is only less than 170 cm tall managed to win an aerial duel over the England goalkeeper and scored a goal. Upon closer examination, Maradona actually used his hands to win the aerial duel and scored a goal. The referee who did not know it also approved the goal. The English players immediately protested, but the results were in vain. Maradona’s controversial goal was then dubbed the Hand of God goal. England also lost 2-3 and Argentina continued to advance until they became champions. Things that would not have happened if Maradona had not used his hands to score goals against England.

5.Germany vs England (World Cup 2010, South Africa)

After benefiting from the controversy of Geoff Hurst’s goal in the 1966 World Cup final against Germany, now England seems to feel the punishment of nature. In the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, England again met with Germany. In a left position, England’s Frank Lampard kicked the ball that bounced off the crossbar over Germany and bounced off the ground. The bounce had crossed the German goal line and should have been a goal. However, the referee did not see it and did not consider it a goal.

Immediately the English players protested but the referee remained in his position.

At the end of the match, Germany also closed the match with a 4-1 victory. England was also disadvantaged thanks to the referee’s decision not to authorize a goal from Lampard. Not a few parties consider England’s defeat to be a natural punishment for what happened in the 1966 final in which Germany was at a disadvantage. This incident also prompted FIFA to apply goal-line technology to reduce such controversies.
(Also read the list of World Cup champions )
That ‘s the latest football infoabout the list of 5 most controversial World Cup matches. It is undeniable that there are so many controversies that occur in football matches, most of which are caused by the negligence of the referee. However, it is even these controversies that make football even more interesting and popular.