5 Moments in football history that needed a VAR intervention

#4 Lampard’s ghost goal – Germany vs. England, 2010 World Cup

VAR would certainly have allowed Frank Lampard's goal for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup

The 1966 World Cup final between England and Germany saw a highly controversial goal from Geoff Hurst, whose shot may or may not have actually crossed the line. 44 years later, an equally controversial incident occurred in the game between the two nations in the 2010 World Cup’s round of 16 – and this time England came off much worse.

After the Germans took an early 2-goal lead, England fought back with a goal from Matthew Upson. Just minutes later, Frank Lampard fired a lobbed shot from the edge of the box that went over German keeper Manuel Neuer, hit the bar and bounced over the goal line before bouncing back out into Neuer’s arms.

Somehow, the referee failed to register the fact that the ball had crossed the line – and immediately chalked off the goal. England were left shell-shocked and eventually succumbed to a 4-1 loss. Had VAR – or even the current goalline technology system – been in use, though, after a review, Lampard’s goal would almost certainly have been allowed.

Had the goal rightly been given, England would’ve gone into half-time with the game tied at 2-2 and would probably have held a psychological advantage due to the nature of their comeback. And if that were the case, then the game could’ve seen a different outcome entirely.