Having been a rabid football fan for as long as I care to remember, following my infection as a child, the FIFA World Cup has almost always been something to look forward to. The greatest sporting spectacle on Earth.
I remember “staying up late” to see an 18-year-old Michael Owen charge through a helpless Argentine defence, that David Beckham petty kick and resulting red card, and England’s eventual loss on penalties in 1998.
Continue reading A FIFA World Cup BoycottDo we look back at this World Cup and see the self-destruction of Brazil? The worst ever England performance at an international tournament? And another instance of Luis Suarez feeling peckish?
Not particularly positive messages to take from one of the best international tournaments that I can recall. Although the tournament had those aspects, it was also the stage for new stars to shine, James Rodriguez in particular, doing his reputation no harm. It was the moment when a decade and a half long project finally achieved its target, with Germany lifting an international trophy. It was the moment when Miroslav Klose became the greatest ever World Cup goalscorer. And it was also perhaps the moment when US Soccer fans finally fell in love with the game.
There are some things in football that I am still shocked by. Some things that occur that I just cannot get my head around and come to terms with. No matter how many years pass I always reflect on them with wonder. Fernando Torres’ decision to leave Liverpool for £50m is one of these, and so too is the 2002 World Cup. In particular the games in the knockout round between Italy and South Korea, and Spain and South Korea.
These games have been given the title of the fourth “Biggest Controversy In World Cup History” by Bleacher Report , one earned a place on ESPN’s 10 most controversial World Cup moments, and also featured on MSN’s “10 Worst World Cup Refereeing Decisions“. They quite rightly deserve all of this.
Trouble & Squeak 