The World Cup has been jam-packed full of epic and memorable moments, great goals and iconic stars. But as we approach the dawn of another tournament, let’s instead look back at some of the controversial and notorious matches this wonderful event has given us over the years.
Graham Poll - Croatia vs Australia (2006)
How can we forget this chaotic moment? In 2006, English referee Graham Poll took charge of just two games. The second, Croatia vs Australia, turned into a farce. Josip Simunic was booked early on, before two goals for either side set up a thrilling finish. Then Poll stepped up to steal the headlines.
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After Dario Simic and Brett Emerton were both sent off, he showed Simunic another yellow card, but forgot to send him off. It was only in the 90th minute, when Simunic was shown a third yellow card for dissent, that he was finally given his marching orders.
Battle of Nuremberg - Portugal vs The Netherlands (2006)
When a World Cup match has its own Wikipedia page you know it is a cracker. The last 16 tie between Portugal and the Netherlands should have been one of the best games of the tournament, but instead it turned into chaos. Both teams took it in turns to kick the living daylights out of one another, in a match that saw four red cards, 16 yellows and Cristiano Ronaldo subbed off having been obliterated by the Dutch.
Portugal progressed with a 1-0 win, but the image of Deco and Giovanni van Bronckhorst both sat chatting on the sidelines having been sent off is what is remembered to this day.
Luis Suarez - Uruguay vs Ghana (2010)
We could have picked his nibble on Giorgio Chiellini, but Luis Suarez enraged the whole footballing world in 2010 just by using two hands. He denied a certain goal with his mitts in the final seconds of Uruguay’s quarter-final with Ghana, and although a penalty was given and he was sent off, he’d have the last laugh.
Like a maniacal genius, he watched Asomoah Gyan blaze his penalty over and celebrated wildly by the tunnel. Then his side went on to win the penalty shootout, making his evil work all worthwhile.
Battle of Santiago - Chile vs Italy (1982)
In 1962, in the second group stage, Chile and Italy came face to face. 44 years before the Battle of Nuremberg, they went at it in a similar fashion. Tensions were high after two high-profile Italian journalists had called Santiago, which had experienced the largest earthquake in history ahead of the tournament, "a dump" - and the battle played out on the pitch.
There was a red card after 12 minutes after which Honorino Landa had to be escorted by police off the pitch. Then there were several scraps between players, with punches being thrown by both sides. There were broken noses and scuffles throughout the game, which Chile eventually won 2-0.
Schumacher clatters Battiston - West Germany vs France (1982)
The 1982 World Cup semi-final saw two of the finest teams in the world collide but instead it is remembered for another collision. Michel Platini played the ball through for Patrick Battiston who got his first time shot away, but was then taken out by the German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher - who jumped and twisted his body into the Frenchman.
It knocked him out and he was left on the deck for seven minutes before the stretcher and oxygen was brought on. He lost two teeth and broke his rib. Remarkably, the referee only gave a goal-kick and West Germany went on to win on penalties.
The entire 2002 World Cup - South Korea (2002)
The most notorious World Cup, from a refereeing perspective, of the lot. It was always going to be good for a host nation to do well and in the knockout stages, the officials made clear they were desperate for South Korea to progress. In the round of 16 against a fancied Italy, the referee sent off Francesco Totti for diving and ruled out a seemingly perfect goal before the hosts progressed thanks to a golden goal.
In the quarter-final against Spain, there were several dodgy offside calls and two further goals ruled out, as South Korea won on penalties. The only blot on what was a fantastic World Cup in Asia.
The entire 1978 World Cup - Argentina (1978)
If you want to know why this particular World Cup was notorious, read here.
Italy’s fascist front - France vs Italy (1938)
On the brink of World War II when fascism was on the rise around Europe, France hosted the World Cup. When the hosts, in blue, took on Italy in the quarter-finals many expected the visitors to wear their white away kit. Instead Benito Mussolini made them wear the black shirts, the symbol of Italian fascism. Then they did a right-armed fascist salute ahead of kick-off, just a year before Nazi Germany started World War II.
