The Most Controversial World Cup Goals Ever Scored

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Matthew Adams | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 3:28 PM ET

There have been many great goals scored in the FIFA World Cup. Yet, there have also been a few controversial World Cup goals that have been scored. Such goals have been controversial simply because they are disputed, with some suggesting they were not valid goals. Here are a few of the more controversial goals scored in the FIFA World Cup.

Wolfgang Weber’s Late Equalizer

Let us first look at the much-debated goals in the 1966 World Cup final. It should be noted that there were two goals scored that were somewhat controversial, by both sides. The first was Germany’s second goal, a late equalizer, which seemed to have struck the hand of Schnellinger before going into England’s goal. If this were the case, then the goal should not have stood. Perhaps because England won, Hurst’s goal overshadowed it.

Geoff Hurst’s World Cup Winner

Then, Geoff Hurst popped up to score England’s third in the final. Or did he? Hurst’s third goal bounced off the crossbar and hardly crossed Germany’s goal line. The referee allowed the goal. Even Hurst concedes that the ball may not have fully crossed the German goal line and that the goal should not have been allowed. They were both goals that perhaps should not have stood, but England still rightly won the World Cup.

Jan Ceulemans’ Offside Equalizer

Still, the 1966 controversy aside, there have been further controversial World Cup goals to debate. There were two games in the 1986 World Cup in which this was the case. The first was between Russia and Belgium. Undoubtedly, this was an exciting match, ending in a 4–3 win for Belgium. Two Belgian equalizers were somewhat offside, so the referee may as well have been wearing a Belgium shirt. The goal by Jan Ceulemans in the 77th minute was the most controversial, as it was up to five yards offside.

Maradona’s Hand of God

The game between England and Argentina in the quarter-finals also featured a controversial goal scored by Maradona. In this game, Maradona handled the ball over the jumping Shilton before running on to put the ball into an open net for Argentina’s first goal. The ‘goal’ still stood, and Argentina progressed to the semi-finals 2–1 overall. Argentina would also win the 1986 World Cup, which made this goal all the more controversial because of the impact it had on the eventual winner.

End Of My Most Controversial World Cup Goals Rant

Those are a few of the most controversial World Cup goals ever scored in the FIFA World Cup. Goals by the likes of Hurst, Ceulemans, and Maradona were all allowed but were not valid goals. Such goals could probably have never been scored in the VAR age of soccer today. They show how substandard refereeing in World Cups can be without goalline or replay tech for match officials.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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