Ranking the Top 7 Most Famous Ghost Goals in Football History

The advent of video assistant referees (VAR) has sparked numerous controversies, yet the implementation of goal-line technology has been widely embraced.

The sophisticated Hawk-Eye system, utilised in top-tier football for the past decade, has largely eliminated the occurrence of 'ghost goals.'

This term refers to two contentious scenarios: when a goal is erroneously awarded despite the ball not crossing the line, or conversely when a goal is denied despite the ball clearly crossing the line.

In a sport where controversies are scrutinised as closely as moments of triumph, these incidents have become part of football's history.

However, despite technological advancements, ghost goals have not entirely vanished, as evidenced by Barcelona's unfortunate experience during a 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid on Sunday, per Goal.

Sports Brief takes a look at some of the most notable - or notorious - instances of controversial goals.

Most famous ghost goals

Luis Garcia vs Chelsea

In the 2005 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool, only one goal was scored over both legs, per the Guardian.

Jose Mourinho still disputes Luis Garcia's goal, claiming it never crossed the line. Nearly a decade later, Mourinho lamented, "We lost with a goal that was not a goal, but that's football."

Frank Lampard vs Germany

In the round of 16 match against England, Manuel Neuer guarded Germany's goal as Lampard's powerful shot hit the crossbar and crossed the line.

Despite this clear goal, it was not awarded, prompting FIFA to introduce goal-line technology before the next tournament, a response to this bitterly ironic moment.

Juan Mata vs Tottenham

Referee Martin Atkinson failed to comfort Harry Redknapp after Tottenham's 5-1 loss to Chelsea in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final, marred by Juan Mata's disputed goal.

Mata nudged the ball into a crowd of players on Tottenham's goal line early in the second half. Despite replays revealing the ball didn't cross the line, Atkinson awarded the goal, extending Chelsea's lead to 2-0.

Stefan Kiessling vs Hoffenheim

Upon Stefan Kiessling's contact with the ball, he recoiled in disappointment, clutching his head in disbelief.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker realized immediately that his shot had missed the target.

What Kiessling didn't realise until later was that the ball had slipped through a tiny tear in the side netting. With the ball nestled in the goal, referee Felix Brych granted Leverkusen a 2-0 lead.

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Football

Lamine Yamal vs Real Madrid

La Liga's omission of goal-line technology, unlike other major European leagues, stems from financial considerations.

During an El Clasico match, Barcelona's Yamal aimed a shot towards goal in the first half, only for Andriy Lunin to make a scrambling save.

However, VAR took two minutes and 36 seconds to determine that the available camera angles couldn't provide a conclusive decision. This delay sparked outrage in Catalonia following the 3-2 defeat.

Pedro Mendes vs Manchester United

Pedro Mendes of Tottenham Hotspur unleashed a thunderous shot from the halfway line, catching not just Manchester United's goalkeeper Roy Carroll off guard but also surprising the match officials.

As Carroll hurried back to his goal line, he fumbled the ball like a slippery bar of soap, frantically managing to clear it just before the linesman returned to realize that a goal should have been awarded.

After the goalless league draw in 2005, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refrained from giving Carroll the notorious "hairdryer treatment," and PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) expressed sympathy for one of their own.

Barcelona coach Xavi criticises La Liga

Sports Brief reported that Xavi Hernandez criticised La Liga for failing to introduce goal-line technology after Real Madrid's controversial win put them on the brink of winning the title.

The Barcelona coach expressed frustration when Lamine Yamal's shot, which the Catalan giants believed had crossed the line, was not counted as a goal because VAR could not confirm it.