World Cup 2010: The 10 Most Bizarre Moments in World Cup History

Throughout the history of the World Cup, there have been many different moments that have captivated the audience watching the tournament. From a fantastic goal or great performance by a player, there have been many great moments in World Cup history.

But also, there have been many bizarre moments in World Cup history. With that in mind, here is my list of the 10 most bizarre moments in World Cup history.

10. Josip Simunic's Three Yellow Cards (2006)

In the 2006 World Cup group stage match between Croatia and Australia, English referee Graham Poll was in charge of the deciding match of Group F's runners-up spot. And the Englishman (who had dreams of officiating the final) left his mark in a way that he has wanted to forget.

It all started in the 61st minute when Josip Simunic got a caution on a tackle of Austrailian Harry Kewell. In the 90th minute, Simunic got his second booking for a bad foul, but Poll did not show him the red card. After the final whistle, Simunic and Poll finished up their act with Simunic going up and pushing Poll, causing Poll to red card Simunic.

Afterward, Poll revealed that he accidentally gave Australian Craig Moore a caution and not Simunic on the second offense, and due to the fact that Simunic is Australian-born, it was easier for Poll to make his mistake due to Simunic's English accent.

9. Benjamin Massing Attacks Anything that Moves (1990)

In the opening match of the 1990 World Cup between Cameroon and Argentina, Cameroonian defender Benjamin Massing made himself known to the world in an unforgettable way.

This way was by nailing a full-blown body check into Argentine Claudio Caniggia, causing Massing to get sent off in what turned out to be a 1-0 upset win by Cameroon over the Argentinians. Later on in the tournament, Massing once again got a booking for a foul inside of the penalty box in the quarterfinal against England, causing Cameroon to get sent out of the World Cup.

8. John Aldridge and Jack Charlton Lose it (1994)

In a 1994 Group Stage match between Mexico and Ireland, Irish manager Jack Charlton tried to put in substitute John Aldridge to help spark the Irish attack (which was losing 2-0 to Mexico). But in the 60th minute when Charlton tried to put in Aldridge into the match as a substitute he was delayed by the Brazilian fourth official Renato Marsiglia's sluggishness.

As a result, Charlton and Aldridge both launched expletive-laden tirades which were clearly heard by television viewers, with Aldridge having to be restrained from attacking Marsiglia and a FIFA representative. Six minutes later, Charlton finally came on, and scored a goal in the 84th minute but Ireland still lost 2-1. As a result, Charlton was suspended for the final group match in New York as he watched from the stands as Ireland drew 0-0 to Norway to advance onto the round of 16.

7. Rivaldo's Acting (2002)

In stoppage time of the 2002 World Cup group stage match between Brazil and Turkey, Brazilian Rivaldo (who was at the beginning of a fantastic World Cup) overdid his desire to win the match by faking an injury to his face after a ball from Turkish winger Hakan Unsal came his way, but only hit him in the foot.

But sadly, the referee (who was South Korean Kim Young-Joo) gave Unsal an undeserving red card in what became one of the most memorable moments of the final.

6. Zinedine Zidane's Headbutt (2006)

In the 110th minute of the 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France, French superstar Zinedine Zidane and Italian defender Marco Materazzi got into a verbal confrontation while jogging down the field. And as a result of his actions, Zidane decided to end his career "with a bang" as he went up to Materazzi and headbutted him in the chest.

Zidane got sent off and his actions have become a major talking point for the last four years as Zidane's absence was a major reason why France lost the World Cup on penalties.

5. Diana Ross Takes a Penalty (1994)

During the introductory ceremonies to the 1994 World Cup at Chicago's Soldier Field, famous American singer Diana Ross was the main performer. And at the end of her musical act, she was supposed to put away a penalty kick from several feet away from a makeshift goal.

However for some strange reason, Diana Ross' shot went completely wide of the net and the goal split open for no apparent reason in what has to be the funniest penalty of all time.

4. Ramon Quiroga's Booking (1978)

In a 1978 World Cup Group B match between Peru and Poland, Argentine-born Peruvian 'keeper Ramon Quiroga made himself known for getting one of the most bizarre yellow cards in history.

It happened in the 89th minute with Peru down 1-0 to Poland when Quiroga came out to midfield to help Peru get the tying goal. But instead of scoring, Quiroga went up to tackle Poland star Grzegorz Lato and ran back into the goal, causing English referee Pat Partridge to caution Quiroga. Of course, this was only a warm-up to the 6-0 demolition of Peru by Argentina in the final Group B match in which Quiroga allowed six goals to get Argentina into the World Cup final.

3. Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Disallows Goal (1982)

In their only ever World Cup appearance, Kuwait found themselves down 4-1 to France after hearing a whistle from the stands, which caused the players to stop as they thought that was the official on the fourth goal of the match. As a result, Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, (then-president of the Kuwait Football Association), pulled all of the players from the pitch.

And with that, Ukrainian referee Miroslav Stupar decided to disallow the goal, marking the first (and only time) a person from the stands changed the result of an official. Despite this, France still won 4-1 and Kuwait were eliminated from the World Cup.

2. American Trainer Knocks Himself Out (1930)

In the 1930 World Cup semifinal between the United States and Argentina, the USA were facing "ferocious tackles" from the Argentinians throughout the match. And after one particular tackle, the USA's trainer (who was a man by the name of Jock Coll) went onto the pitch to check out the injury.

However while getting there, Coll dropped his medical bag, which contained a container of chloroform that was broken when the bag was dropped. As a result of this, Coll was knocked out due to the fumes of the chloroform, and had to be carried off the field. The United States went on to lose 6-1 to Argentina.

1. Mwepu Ilunga Jumps Through the Wall (1974)

In their only ever World Cup appearance, Zaire put together the worst ever performance in World Cup history, as they allowed 14 goals while not scoring any, and their 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia remains the worst ever loss in World Cup history.

In their final group stage match against Brazil, Zaire's players were threatened by their then-leader Mobutu Sese Seko that if they lost 4-0 to Brazil, they would not be able to return to Zaire. And in the 78th minute, defender Mwepu Ilunga decided to jump through the wall on a free kick and punted the ball away, resulting in a yellow card. Zaire lost 3-0 on that day, but they were at least able to return home safely and Ilunga's actions are still remembered to this day.