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Seeing red and losing your head: 10 infamous World Cup moments

From “The Battle of Berne” 72 years ago to an uninvited guest at the Qatar 2022 final trophy presentation, here are 10 moments from World Cup history that weren’t exactly in the script…

By Philip Barker

Zinedine Zidane argues with referee Horacio Elizondo during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Philip Barker

1954

The World Cup was shown on television across Europe for the first time, although only selected matches were screened live.

In the quarter-final between Hungary and Brazil, Jozsef Bozsik, Nílton Santos and Humberto were all sent off and a mass brawl which continued into the tunnel involved 20 players. Hungary won 4-2 and went on to reach the final.

1962

“The game you are about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football in the history of the game.”

BBC Television’s David Coleman introduces “The Battle of Santiago,” a group match in which host nation Chile beat Italy 2-0 after the visitors had two men sent off for foul play.

1966

Argentina’s Antonio Rattin becomes the first man sent off at Wembley after persistently arguing with German referee Rudolf Kreitlein during his side’s quarter-final defeat by England.

The apparent language difficulties prompted Ken Aston, in charge of the tournament referees, to devise a system of red and yellow cards.

1982

West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher’s brutal challenge on Patrick Battiston of France in the World Cup semifinal left the French player requiring oxygen.

Battiston lost three teeth and was hospitalised as a result. Referee Charles Corver did not even award a free-kick.

1990

In the Opening Match at the San Siro in Milan, defending world champions Argentina lost to Cameroon.

In the final moments of the game, Claudio Cannigia was taken out by Benjamin Massing. He was the second Cameroon player to receive a red card in the match.

1990

The final ended as the tournament had begun, with an Argentina defeat and two dismissals, although this time it was Argentinians Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti who received the red cards.

Germany’s winner from an Andy Brehme penalty came after what many still consider the worst World Cup final in the history of the competition.

1994

Diego Maradona scored in Argentina’s 4-0 defeat of Greece in their opening match, but it was the frenzied nature of his celebrations which caused concern.

After the match, he tested positive for ephedrine and was banned for the rest of the tournament.

2006

Zinedine Zidane became the fifth player dismissed in a World Cup final. The match against Italy stood at 1-1 in extra time when Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi.

It was claimed later that Materazzi had insulted Zidane’s sister. Zidane had retired from football but “agreed to do community service work with children and youngsters.” Materazzi also received a suspension for his part in the incident

2014

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was suspended from football for four months for biting Giorgio Chiellini of Italy during Uruguay’s 1-0 group victory in the group stages. It was the third time that Suarez had bitten an opponent.

2022

Many were critical of the long-drawn-out presentation ceremony after Argentina had beaten France on penalties to win the World Cup.

FIFA later launched an investigation into how celebrity chef Salt Bae had gained access to the field.

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