World Cup Karma Comes Back To Oust England

A single moment in the 1966 World Cup Final became one of the most talked about, controversial moments in soccer history. The game between England and West Germany had gone into extra time tied at two. 8 minutes into the first half of overtime saw a Geoff HurstGeoff Hurst shot cannon off the underside of the bar and onto the goal line. After a discussion between the ref and the linesman, a goal was awarded. The decision deflated the Germans and England went on to win the game 4-2, lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in the process.

Debate has raged over the years as to whether or not the ball crossed the line, with recent, digitally enhanced, footage showing that it, in fact, did not. World War II created a natural hatred between the two countries, and that single moment fuelled the fire even further.

Today, June 27, 2010, saw the two old enemies meet again in World Cup action, this time in the round of 16. The Germand rushed out to a two goal lead before the English clawed one back. A mere 20 seconds after that goal, the English hit again, but karma intervened. Frank Lampards chip shot evaded the hands of the goalkeeper, hit the underside of the bar and dropped a good 2 feet over the line before bouncing back into the hands of the keeper. Everyone, except those who count, the officials, saw it as a goal. Just like 1966, that decision turned the game and the Germans went on to win 4-1.

This decision will, once more, start the discussion that FIFA, soccers governing body, should implement goal line technology, and will also deny the English the chance to redeem their own karma ticket agains Argentina, the nation that knocked them out of the 1986 World Cup, courtesy of Maradona's, "hand of God", goal.