Football has witnessed some incredible goals, but not all of them have stood the test of officiating decisions. Whether due to controversial calls, mistaken judgments, or strict rule enforcement, some of the most iconic moments in the sport have been erased from history. These disallowed goals have sparked debates, changed rules, and left fans frustrated. Here are the top 8 most famous disallowed goals in football history compiled by Wintips.
8. Karim Benzema (2022) - Champions League final offside controversy
The 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool was a tense affair, and Karim Benzema thought he had broken the deadlock just before halftime. After a chaotic sequence in the box, Benzema slotted the ball home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The controversy stemmed from whether the ball had come off a Liverpool player before reaching him. Despite the tight call, VAR confirmed the decision, leaving fans debating whether it should have counted.
The controversy arose over whether the ball had last come off a Liverpool player before reaching Benzema, which would have made the goal legal. After a lengthy VAR review, the decision stood, leaving fans and pundits divided over whether the call was correct. Despite the frustration, Real Madrid would later secure victory, but the disallowed goal remains one of the most debated moments of the final.
7. Frank Lampard (2010) – Ghost Goal vs. Germany (World Cup)
One of the most infamous refereeing mistakes in World Cup history occurred in the 2010 Round of 16 between England and Germany. With England trailing 2-1, Frank Lampard’s shot struck the crossbar and bounced well over the goal line, but the referee and assistant failed to see it. Despite protests from England players, the goal was not given. Germany went on to win 4-1, and this incident became a major factor in FIFA’s decision to introduce goal-line technology.
Despite England’s protests, the goal was not given, and Germany capitalized on the controversy, eventually winning 4-1. The incident sparked widespread debate and became a key reason for FIFA’s eventual introduction of goal-line technology, ensuring such costly mistakes would never happen again on football’s biggest stage.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (2021) – Late Winner Denied vs. Serbia (World Cup Qualifiers)
During a World Cup qualifying match between Portugal and Serbia, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner. His shot crossed the goal line before being cleared, but with no goal-line technology or VAR in use, the referee waved play on. Furious, Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband to the ground in frustration. The incident fueled calls for goal-line technology to be implemented in all international competitions.
The incident reignited discussions about the need for technological advancements in all FIFA competitions to prevent such costly mistakes. Ultimately, Portugal still managed to qualify for the World Cup, but this moment remains one of the most infamous referee errors in modern football.
5. Diego Maradona (1990) – Handball vs. Soviet Union (World Cup)
Four years after his infamous "Hand of God" goal, Diego Maradona attempted another handball goal in the 1990 World Cup group stage against the Soviet Union. This time, the referee spotted the infraction and correctly disallowed the goal. While it didn’t carry the same controversy as his 1986 goal, it showed Maradona’s willingness to push the boundaries of the rules once again.
Unlike in 1986, there was no controversy or lasting debate, but the moment reinforced Maradona’s willingness to test the limits of the game. Despite this failed attempt, Argentina went on to win 2-0, and Maradona continued to lead his team all the way to the final. However, this lesser-known handball incident remains an interesting footnote in his storied World Cup career.
4. Sulley Muntari (2012) – Ghost Goal vs. Juventus (Serie A)
One of the most infamous disallowed goals in football history occurred in a 2012 Serie A clash between AC Milan and Juventus. Sulley Muntari thought he had doubled Milan’s lead when he headed the ball past Gianluigi Buffon. The ball clearly crossed the goal line before Buffon pushed it out, but the referee and his assistants failed to award the goal.
Despite Milan players’ furious protests, the match continued, and Juventus eventually equalized, securing a 1-1 draw. This controversial decision had a major impact on the title race, as Juventus went on to win the Serie A title that season. The incident fueled calls for goal-line technology in Italian football, which was eventually implemented to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
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3. Pedro Mendes (2005) – Phantom Goal vs. Manchester United (Premier League)
During a Premier League match between Tottenham and Manchester United in the 2004/05 season, Pedro Mendes attempted a long-range shot from midfield, catching United goalkeeper Roy Carroll off guard. Carroll misjudged the ball, fumbled it, and let it clearly cross the goal line before desperately scooping it back out.
Despite the ball having fully crossed the line, the referee failed to award the goal as neither he nor the assistant referee had a clear view of the incident. With no VAR or goal-line technology at the time, the game continued, denying Tottenham a legitimate goal. This incident remains one of the biggest refereeing mistakes in Premier League history and played a key role in the eventual introduction of goal-line technology in English football.
2. Raheem Sterling (2019) – VAR Controversy vs. Tottenham (UEFA Champions League)
In the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Manchester City and Tottenham, Raheem Sterling thought he had secured a dramatic last-minute winner for City in stoppage time. The Etihad erupted in celebration as Sterling curled the ball past Hugo Lloris, seemingly sending City into the semi-finals.
However, VAR intervened and ruled that Sergio Agüero was marginally offside in the buildup to the goal. The decision shattered City's hopes, as Tottenham held on to progress on away goals. The incident remains one of the most heartbreaking VAR decisions in Champions League history, proving how fine margins can change the course of football.
1. Lionel Messi (2017) – Ghost Goal vs. Valencia (La Liga)
Lionel Messi was denied a clear goal in a La Liga match against Valencia when his shot crossed the line but was not awarded by the referee. Without goal-line technology in place at the time, officials missed the fact that the ball had gone well over the line before bouncing back into play. The incident intensified demands for Spain’s top league to introduce goal-line technology, which was implemented the following season.
The controversy added to the pressure on Spanish football authorities, and as a result, goal-line technology was introduced in La Liga the following season. While the decision came too late for Messi and Barcelona in that match, the incident played a crucial role in ensuring future games would not be decided by similar errors.
Conclusion
Disallowed goals have played a major role in shaping football history, with some leading to rule changes and the introduction of technology like VAR and goal-line systems. While some decisions were correct, others remain hotly debated to this day. These moments serve as reminders of how crucial refereeing decisions can be in determining the outcome of a match, sometimes leaving players and fans wondering what might have been.
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