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Top Five Dodgiest Football Games |
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 Football News: Football is, as we all know, an honest game for gentlemen. Sadly there are some among us who try and bend the rules.
1. Spain v Malta, 1983 WC qualifying
Spain needed 11 goals against Malta to qualify past the Netherlands into Euro 84.
The Spaniards were only 3-1 up at half-time, Malta had more than held their own, but the second-half yielded a rout.
Nine goals went past the hapless Malta 'keeper as cross after cross was converted.
The scoreline provoked an inquiry by the Malta soccer federation with no further action taken. But what was not in doubt was Spain's advancement to France the following summer.
2. Akwa United v Calabar Rovers, 2006
This 13-0 victory in the Nigerian league saw Akwa promoted to the Premier League. An investigation was launched because any less than a 13-goal winning margin would have seen rivals Bussdor move up a division.
Chief among the suspects was the referee who sent off three Calabar players. Akwa had scored only 12 in 14 matches prior to the match.
3. West Germany v Austria, Spain '82
These two teams met in the final match of Group B with the knowledge that a 1-0 win for the Germans would mean both teams would qualify for the knock-out phase.
After 10 minutes, the score read 1-0 to West Germany and the game proceeded to take a comical turn as both sets of players stuck to their positions and made no effort to attack.
Unlucky Algeria protested at the result to FIFA. Ever since, the last batch of group matches have taken place at the same time to ensure there is no repeat.
4. AC Milan v Brescia, Serie A 1992/93
The Milanese needed only a point to secure the title ahead of rivals Inter as the League went into its penultimate weekend. Brescia figured that a point might be good enough to keep them up and so the game was as uneventful as West Germany's game with Austria 10 years before.
Although Milan took the lead on 82 minutes, Brescia then equalised two minutes later. However, the minnows got their comeuppance: results didn't go in their favour and Brescia were relegated.
5. Argentina v Peru, 1978 World Cup
The hosts Argentina needed to beat the Peruvians by four clear goals to make sure of a place in the final, after the tournament saw a second-round group format.
Argentina went on to record a 6-0 victory which left Brazil short on goal difference. The hosts then took the trophy when they beat Holland 3-1 in the final. (Sportasylum)
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