Ranking the Top 7 Most Famous Ghost Goals in Football History
- A 'ghost goal' is a contentious strike that's uncertain whether it crossed the line.
- GLT has cut controversies, but the recent El Clasico was marked by a ghost goal
- YEN.com.gh takes a look at some of the most notable instances of controversial goals
The advent of video assistant referees (VAR) has sparked numerous controversies, yet the implementation of goal-line technology has been widely embraced.
The sophisticated Hawk-Eye system, utilised in top-tier football for the past decade, has largely eliminated the occurrence of 'ghost goals.'
This term refers to two contentious scenarios: when a goal is erroneously awarded despite the ball not crossing the line, or conversely when a goal is denied despite the ball clearly crossing the line.
In a sport where controversies are scrutinised as closely as moments of triumph, these incidents have become part of football's history.
However, despite technological advancements, ghost goals have not entirely vanished, as evidenced by Barcelona's unfortunate experience during a 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid on Sunday, per Goal.
YEN.com.gh takes a look at some of the most notable - or notorious - instances of controversial goals.
Most famous ghost goals
Luis Garcia vs Chelsea
In the 2005 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool, only one goal was scored over both legs, per the Guardian.
Jose Mourinho still disputes Luis Garcia's goal, claiming it never crossed the line. Nearly a decade later, Mourinho lamented, "We lost with a goal that was not a goal, but that's football."
Frank Lampard vs Germany
In the round of 16 match against England, Manuel Neuer guarded Germany's goal as Lampard's powerful shot hit the crossbar and crossed the line.
Despite this clear goal, it was not awarded, prompting FIFA to introduce goal-line technology before the next tournament, a response to this bitterly ironic moment.
Juan Mata vs Tottenham
Referee Martin Atkinson failed to comfort Harry Redknapp after Tottenham's 5-1 loss to Chelsea in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final, marred by Juan Mata's disputed goal.
Mata nudged the ball into a crowd of players on Tottenham's goal line early in the second half. Despite replays revealing the ball didn't cross the line, Atkinson awarded the goal, extending Chelsea's lead to 2-0.
Stefan Kiessling vs Hoffenheim
Upon Stefan Kiessling's contact with the ball, he recoiled in disappointment, clutching his head in disbelief.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker realized immediately that his shot had missed the target.
What Kiessling didn't realise until later was that the ball had slipped through a tiny tear in the side netting. With the ball nestled in the goal, referee Felix Brych granted Leverkusen a 2-0 lead.
Lamine Yamal vs Real Madrid
La Liga's omission of goal-line technology, unlike other major European leagues, stems from financial considerations.
During an El Clasico match, Barcelona's Yamal aimed a shot towards goal in the first half, only for Andriy Lunin to make a scrambling save.
However, VAR took two minutes and 36 seconds to determine that the available camera angles couldn't provide a conclusive decision. This delay sparked outrage in Catalonia following the 3-2 defeat.
Pedro Mendes vs Manchester United
Pedro Mendes of Tottenham Hotspur unleashed a thunderous shot from the halfway line, catching not just Manchester United's goalkeeper Roy Carroll off guard but also surprising the match officials.
As Carroll hurried back to his goal line, he fumbled the ball like a slippery bar of soap, frantically managing to clear it just before the linesman returned to realize that a goal should have been awarded.
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Source: AFP
