HAND OF GOD, HEADBUTT & SUAREZ
WITH the 2022 FIFA World Cup around the corner, expectations will begin to rise as to the kind of things to expect from this second-ever Asian-hosted showpiece.
From the memorable goals to the excitement it comes with, and the unexpected twists, this tournament continues to go down as the greatest in the world of football.
But while the World Cup continually presents us with positive moments, it also comes with unforgettable moments — in the most bizarre forms.
This article casts a spectrum on five of the most bizarre moments the FIFA World Cup has ever witnessed.
The shot-stopping striker of 2010
Ghana were on the verge of making history at the first World Cup hosted on African soil in 2010, but Uruguay’s striker Luis Suarez had other ideas.
The fiercely contested quarter-final clash between both nations was tied at 1–1 late in extra time before a clear Ghanaian attempt was headed for the back of the net.
However, Suarez punched the ball off the line before it could go in, denying the Africans the win. The succeeding moments were even more bizarre as the Black Stars missed the resultant penalty, and went on to lose 4–2 to Uruguay in the eventual penalty shootout.
To this day, Suarez — who was red-carded for his action, is seen as a national hero in Uruguay.
⚫ The reverse free-kick of 1974
Mwepu Ilunga might have died in 2015, but his infamous free-kick against Brazil at the 1974 World Cup in Germany will forever precede him.
Having lost their first two group games, the DRC were up against Brazil in their final match in the competition and were also losing.
Brazil was awarded a free-kick and was lining up to take it when the right-back broke out of the defensive wall and booted the ball up-field before the kick had even been taken.
Mwepu later revealed he did that as a protest against the decision of President Joseph Mobutu’s government not to pay the players their bonuses as promised.
⚫ The Hand of God of 1986
Whenever the topic of the strangest goals recorded at the World Cup pops up, Diego Maradona’s name is always mentioned.
In the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Argentina met England on the football field, barely four years after the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
The first goal, after 51 minutes saw Maradona score for Argentina by using his hand to put the ball into the back of the net. That goal to date is referred to as the “Hand of God”.
⚫ The humiliation of 2014
Brazil might have had humiliating moments at the World Cup, but nothing was more embarrassing than the Maracana defeat of 2014.
In a semi-final clash in front of their home fans against fellow favourites Germany, Brazil went down as early as the 11th minute following a goal from Thomas Mueller.
Twelve minutes later, it became a baptism of goals as Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos (2), Sami Khedira and Andre Schurrle (2) took the scoreline to 7–0.
Oscar got one back for the Brazilians.
⚫ The head-butting of 2006
Zinedine Zidane was playing his last international match for France in the final of the 2006 World Cup against Italy, in Germany. It was meant to end on a good note, but somehow, things turned sour.
The highly decorated French captain and Italy’s Marco Materazzi for some reason got embroiled in a war of words on the pitch, leading to Zidane headbutting the Italian in the chest.
As expected, he was issued a red card and sent off the pitch. Italy then went on to win that game and the tournament after coming out on top of a penalty shootout.