The debate whether technology should play a bigger role in the game of football has been one that has occupied match day studios, hostel common rooms and numerous board meetings of the game’s governing bodies across the globe. While some believe the game should allow for human error to remain a part of the game, some are of the opinion that weeding out mistakes that could alter the course of games is the need of the hour to ensure that teams are not punished.
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With goal-line technology being extensively used across the globe now and in numerous coveted competitions, the talk of the town is when would the next rung of changes, that allow for 4th officials to reverse decisions based on video referrals be allowed in the game.
While it remains to be seen if the governing bodies will move ahead with the suggested changes and how much time it might take, we would like to reminisce through certain moments in footballing history where the usage of technology could have altered the course of a game and even tournaments.
#1 Thierry Henry vs Republic of Ireland
After reaching the finals of the 2006 edition of the FIFA World Cup, the expectations were high from the French national team for the 2010 edition. However, all did not go as per plan for the French side as they struggled to win their group and had to battle it out with Republic of Ireland to secure a place in the World Cup.
(Video Courtesy: Sean Nicko YouTube Channel)
After winning their home leg by a solitary goal, the French travelled to Ireland to ensure qualification but were shocked in 33rd minute by a Robbie Keane goal and the game went into extra time. With the end of the extra-time approaching, France swung a desperate ball into the Ireland box and what followed left a lasting impact on the footballing history of both the nations.
As the ball seemed to be heading out, former Gunner and France legend Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before passing it to team-mate William Gallas to draw France level. Despite the efforts of the Irish players on the pitch as well as their officials off the pitch, the goal stood, helping France advance to the main tournament.
However, Raymond Domenech’s men could do little in the subsequent year, finishing 4th in their group and eliminated in the group stages. The Irish curse was served.
#2 Frank Lampard vs Germany
England, over the recent years, have established themselves as the perennial underachievers in major tournaments and the situation was no different in the 2010 World Cup. After lumbering to the knock-out stages, finishing 2nd to United States of America, England faced old foes Germany in the round of 16.
(Video Courtesy: Mark James YouTube Channel)
Germany took the lead in the 20th minute via a Miroslav Klose goal and doubled their lead via a Lukas Podolski goal in the 32nd minute. Surprisingly, what followed was a spirited English fight-back as they pulled one back as Matthew Upson found the back of the net in the 37th minute. The scores could have gone on to be level and the result different altogether had the referee and his assistants managed to spot the subsequent events.
In the 39th minute, Frank Lampard let fly a shot from outside the box which beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the shot bouncing off the cross bar and beyond the goal line, but England were denied an equaliser, as the referees didn’t spot it.
The let-off by the officials helped Germany as they ran riot against a demoralised English unit and finished the game with a comfortable 4-1 scoreline. While some believe that Fabio Capello’s men lacked the required quality and would have been knocked out irrespective of the goal being allowed or not, the fact remains that technology could have turned the game on its head.
#3 Chelsea vs Barcelona 2008-09
Chelsea hosted Barcelona in the second leg of the semi-finals of the 2008-09 edition of the UEFA Champions League after holding the Catalan giants to a goalless draw at the Nou Camp. It looked like the Blues were going through to the finals when they took the lead after Michael Essien thundered home a volley with his left foot.
(Video Courtesy: Teh Furious D YouTube Channel)
However, the game did not get any easier for the Blues as the referee on the evening, Tom Henning Ovrebo, decided to play spoilsport. The Norwegian was at fault on numerous occasions as he waved away at least four legitimate Chelsea penalty appeals as the Blues pressed their advantage on the Catalan giants.
The likes of Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were the victims of some horrific refereeing on the evening and, the usage of technology could have helped the Blues deservedly advance to the finals against Manchester United after they were dealt a late blow when Andres Iniesta scored via a Lionel Messi lay-off.
The game remains as one of the most controversial ones in the history of the competition since there were numerous errors that helped Barcelona advance to the final and win the competition. And it is understandable why the Chelsea players were irate with the Norwegian referee, when the full-time whistle blew.
#4 Diego Maradona vs England 1986 World Cup
The game that largely defined Diego Maradona’s career as an eccentric yet brilliant footballer remains one of the most controversial ones in the game’s history. England and Argentina met in the quarter-finals of the 1986 edition of the World Cup and with Diego Maradona in their ranks, the Argentine fans were excited about their prospects.
(Video Courtesy: ify212 YouTube Channel)
Argentine asserted their dominance in the game in the first half and were largely denied by the English goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who made numerous saves to keep Argentina at bay. However, their maverick leader in attack had had enough and decided to take matters into his own hands, literally. After the ball had bounced towards Shilton, the onrushing Maradona, a whole 8 inches shorter than Shilton, decided to punch the ball into the goal.
To the surprise of English players as well as several Argentine players, the goal was allowed to stand and Argentina went on to win the game 2-1 after Maradona doubled his side’s lead with the “goal of the century” in the 55th minute.
The game remains a case study that strengthens the usage of technology in the game of football as video referral could have prevented Maradona from scoring the goal and the history of the game could have been different as Argentina went on to lift the title in the tournament.
#5 Geoff Hurst vs West Germany 1966
It does not get bigger than the World Cup final and it definitely does not get better than old foes facing off each other for pride. England and Germany had been the teams to beat in the FIFA World Cup 1966 and deservedly met in the final of the world’s premier footballing competition.
(Video Courtesy: Matthewcoates459 YouTube Channel)
With the scores tied at the end of the 90 minutes, and both teams scoring two goals each, the game went into extra time and what followed was a moment that still manages to anger the German football fans. Geoff Hurst, who had scored England’s opening goal in the 18th minute, found space in the box off an Alan Ball cross and swivelled and shot at the Germany goal. The ball hit the underside of the goal and bounced on the line and was cleared by the German defenders.
The referee on the evening, Gottfried Dienst was uncertain whether the ball had crossed the line and consulted his assistant Tofiq Bahramov, before awarding England the goal to the surprise of numerous football fans. The English, buoyed by the goal, went on to add another to their tally via Hurst, who completed his hat-trick and took the coveted Jules Rimet trophy.
If not for an error from the referee and his assistant, which could have been rectified with the usage of technology, the game could have gone in another direction and perhaps, England would still remain devoid of a World Cup victory.
Honourable Mention: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Spain
After being dumped out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by Spain, Portugal were keen to extract some revenge from their Iberian rivals when the two sides met in a friendly in November 2010. One player, who drew a lot of attention prior to the game was the Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been singled out for underperforming against the big guns.
However, the evening did not go as per plan for Spain, as the side succumbed to a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Portuguese. While that might in itself, prove to be a pleasing fact for most footballers, Ronaldo was not too impressed by the refereeing as well as the acts of his teammate Nani, who apparently robbed him of a goal.
The former Manchester United man skipped past two defenders before chipping the ball over Iker Casillas, in what would have gone on to become another wonderful goal scored by him. However, Nani had different plans as he continued with his run to ensure that the ball crossed the line, albeit from an offside position.
The goal was ruled out. However, video evidence suggested Nani only contacted the ball after it had crossed the goal line and the goal should have been allowed to stand. Ronaldo was infuriated and given the skill he put in to score the goal, we see no reason why he shouldn’t have been.
If the goal had stood, it might well have been the Portuguese’s greatest solo goal!!
