Last update 19 October, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
The Soccer World Cup is the most prestigious tournament at the national team level., where the best players and teams on the planet face each other in search of glory. However, throughout its history, This contest has also been the scene of dark episodes, controversies and situations that tarnished his legacy. Next, We review some of these moments, where controversies and tragedies took center stage.
Los 5 worst moments in World Cup history
1. The “Battle of Santiago” – Chile World Cup 1962
One of the most infamous moments in world football history occurred during the World Cup in Chile 1962, in a group stage match between Chile e Italia. this meeting, known as the “Battle of Santiago“, It quickly became a violent spectacle that went down in history due to the multiple incidents of aggression and brutality that occurred on the field..
The match started tensely due to previous insults between the players and the press.. What followed was a sequence of kicks, blows and fights. The police had to intervene on several occasions to control the players, and the British referee Ken Aston expelled two Italians. However, The attacks continued and the match became a true pitched battle.. Ken Aston by the way invented the card system in football.
This incident left a stain on the image of the tournament and that of Chilean and Italian football.. Today, It continues to be remembered as one of the most violent matches in World Cup history..
2. He “Party of Shame” – Germany vs. Austria, World Spain 1982
One of the most controversial moments in World Cup history took place in the World Spain 1982, during the match between West Germany y Austria. this meeting, known as the “Party of Shame“, was marked by the lack of competition and the evident pact between both teams.
In that World Cup, A draw or a narrow victory for Germany over Austria would allow both teams to advance to the next round., leaving out Algeria, who had already played their last game in the group stage. At the meeting, Germany scored an early goal, and from there, Both teams dedicated themselves to passing the ball without really seeking to score more goals..
The public, Commentators and the press harshly criticized what they considered an unsportsmanlike act., since both teams stopped competing. As a result of this shameful episode, FIFA implemented a new rule that requires the last matches of the group stage to be played simultaneously to avoid similar situations in the future.
3. The scandal of “Phantom Goal” – England vs. Germany, world of 1966
He England World Cup 1966 is remembered for many reasons, but one of the most controversial moments was “Phantom Goal” in the final between England y West Germany. With the game tied 2-2 in extra time, the english striker Geoff Hurst He shot at the German goal and the ball bounced off the crossbar, dribbling near the goal line.
The Swiss referee Gottfried Service consulted with the Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov, who decided that the ball had completely crossed the line, thus conceding the goal to England. However, replays failed to confirm whether the ball had gone completely in, which generated a great controversy. England ended up winning the match 4-2, winning his first and only World Cup.
This goal is one of the most discussed in football history., and to this day it remains a source of debate among fans and experts.
4. The attack on Zinedine Zidane – World Cup Final 2006
He Germany World Cup 2006 saw one of the most shocking moments in the history of world football: the famous aggression of Zinedine Zidane in the final against Italia. Zidane, captain of France, He was one of the best players in the tournament and had led his team to the final. During extra time, after a series of insults by the Italian defender Marco Materazzi, Zidane reacted violently by headbutting him in the chest.
Zidane was expelled from the match in his last performance as a professional footballer, which meant the end of his career in a tragic and humiliating way. France lost the final on penalties, and Italy was crowned world champion. This incident not only marred the final, but also the legacy of one of the greatest players in history.
5. He “Maracanazo” – Brazil vs. Uruguay, world of 1950
He Maracanazo It is possibly the most devastating moment in the history of Brazilian football and one of the most painful episodes in the history of the World Cups.. In the final of Brazil World Cup 1950, the host team faced Uruguay in it Maracana Stadium. Brazil only needed a draw to be crowned world champions, and with a local fan eager to celebrate, expectations were very high.
Brazil started winning 1-0, but Uruguay came back with goals from Juan Alberto Schiaffino y Alcides Ghiggia, silencing the 200,000 spectators present in the stadium. He 2-1 final left Brazil in shock, and the Brazilian players and fans cried inconsolably for the unexpected defeat.
The Maracanazo not only meant the loss of a World Cup at home for Brazil, but also left deep scars on the country's football psyche, that took years to overcome.