Top 6 Football World Cup Moments

Games are full of emotions, laughters, reasons, cries and much more. Lets look back on the moments that made us (and the players) cry, laugh and look away with embarrassment.

#6 When Defeat Becomes Victory

Barring a cricket score by Ivory Coast against North Korea on Friday, it looks as if Ghana will be the only African nation, of the six that took part in the World Cup, to make it to the second round. And its passage was confirmed despite losing its final group game to Germany (Ghana still finished second). But the real moment of joy came a week earlier, when striker Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick five minutes from time resulted in the first-ever African team to triumph on African soil in a World Cup. You can tell from their outpouring of joy that the players realized what a special moment it was. The only question now is whether the U.S. can avenge its 2006 defeat at the hands of the Ghanaians in their knockout clash on Saturday.

#5 The Ball Is Round

If the controversy over those vuvuzelas wasn’t bad enough, we had to put up with players and coaches moaning about this year’s World Cup ball. Called the Jabulani (which ironically means “to rejoice”), it has upset many in the game, who have suggested it’s making life unfair for goalkeepers (such as this Rob Green gaffe for England vs. the U.S.) because of the way the ball moves in the air. But the carping seemed to cease when Brazil made the Jabulani bend to its will, scoring goals of beauty against North Korea and Ivory Coast. And the other team in that group, Portugal, managed a not unhealthy seven against the Koreans. As former player Alan Hansen said on the BBC, “The ball is the ball. It always has been.”

#4 Danish Delight

For all the amusing and heartbreaking moments that come during a World Cup, sometimes you just want to focus on the goals. And one that hasn’t received the attention it deserves was scored by Denmark en route to defeating Cameroon 2-1. After falling behind early on, the Danes equalized, thanks to Nicklas Bendtner. His finish, from Dennis Rommedahl’s low cross, was merely perfunctory. But the sensational 60-yard (yes, 60-yard) ball from defender Simon Kjaer lit up the proceedings. You likely will not see a better pass in the entire tournament.

#3 Giving England the Bird

There are many lows involved in supporting England. The constant expectations nearly always dashed. A star player getting red-carded. Or seeing what David Beckham is wearing now. But on the evening of England’s dismal 0-0 draw against Algeria, two moments stood out. Firstly, a bird nestled on top of the goal England was shooting toward, safe in the knowledge that it would not be disturbed by anything as shocking as an English attack. And as unbelievable as it sounds, in the second half, the bird went to the other goal, which England was now attacking!

#2 Diego. Armando. Maradona.

There’s no denying that the Argentine manager is having a good World Cup. His charges have swept all before them, taking a 100% record into the second round, and probably look the likeliest (after rival Brazil) to lift the trophy for what would be a third time. But as entertaining as Argentina is on the pitch, it’s nothing compared to the value you get from its main man off it. When asked by the media about his unique kiss-and-hug management style, Diego Maradona responded by saying — fret not! — he still prefers women, specifically his girlfriend “Veronica, who is blond and 31.” He hasn’t been shy with footballing opinions either, dismissing the only other player who might be better than him, Brazilian legend Pelé, with a suggestion to “go back to the museum.” And UEFA president — and former French great — Michel Platini was described as a “know-all” (though Maradona apologized for that one.) No matter what happens from here on in, someone should commission a Maradona reality show immediately.

#1 France Farce

French football wasn’t exactly in the rudest of health heading into the World Cup. A fortuitous handball in the playoffs from out-of-sorts striker Thierry Henry handed them a place in the finals at Ireland’s expense. But with pretournament form patchy at best and the squad not jiving with coach Raymond Domenech, the portents weren’t good. And so it proved.

A drab opening-day draw against eventual group winner Uruguay was followed by a comprehensive 2-0 defeat to Mexico, which also progressed from the group. Then things really livened up. Striker Nicolas Anelka allegedly insulted the coach at halftime, which led to his being sent home. The players decided to protest by refusing to train. And while they turned up for their final match, against host team South Africa, another defeat (2-1) meant the waiting bus — to take the team straight to the airport — wasn’t wasted. Back home (though they had to sit in coach. The shame!), the underperforming squad woke up the morning after to learn that President Nicolas Sarkozy was convening a high-level meeting to figure out what went wrong.

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