Germany's quarterfinal clash with Greece has been labeled the ultimate grudge match, given the ongoing Eurozone crisis. German-backed financial aid to Greece has come with sweeping austerity measures attached. Now Greece wants to hit back and knock Germany out of the Euros.
The Eurozone grudge match —
Germany's quarterfinal clash with Greece has been labeled the ultimate grudge match, given the ongoing Eurozone crisis. German-backed financial aid to Greece has come with sweeping austerity measures attached. Now Greece wants to hit back and knock Germany out of the Euros.
AFP/Getty Images
The meeting between West Germany and East Germany in the 1974 World Cup surely counts as one of football's most politically-charged matches. With the nation still divided after World War II, and the Cold War raging, East Germany forward Jurgen Sparwasser scored the only goal of the game. West Germany had the last laugh though, going on to win the tournament.
East meets West —
The meeting between West Germany and East Germany in the 1974 World Cup surely counts as one of football's most politically-charged matches. With the nation still divided after World War II, and the Cold War raging, East Germany forward Jurgen Sparwasser scored the only goal of the game. West Germany had the last laugh though, going on to win the tournament.
AFP/Getty Images
One of the most controversial moments in soccer history as Diego Maradona scored with his hand for Argentina against England in the World Cup quarterfinal. The goal was allowed to stand and Maradona added a brilliant second to ensure a 2-1 win for Argentina. The game was played just four years after the Falklands War had ended. Maradona spoke of his side's win as "revenge" and claimed his goal was scored by the "Hand of God." Argentina went on to win the World Cup.
Maradona's 'Hand of God' —
One of the most controversial moments in soccer history as Diego Maradona scored with his hand for Argentina against England in the World Cup quarterfinal. The goal was allowed to stand and Maradona added a brilliant second to ensure a 2-1 win for Argentina. The game was played just four years after the Falklands War had ended. Maradona spoke of his side's win as "revenge" and claimed his goal was scored by the "Hand of God." Argentina went on to win the World Cup.
Bongarts/Getty Images
After the breakup of the old Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro met Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. The two countries are split along ethnic lines and were at war between 1992 and 1995 when a series of atrocities were committed. Around 100,000 people were killed and 2.2 million displaced during the conflict. Unsurprisingly, trouble flared during the matches as Serbia won 1-0 on aggregate.
Bosnia beaten in Belgrade —
After the breakup of the old Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro met Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. The two countries are split along ethnic lines and were at war between 1992 and 1995 when a series of atrocities were committed. Around 100,000 people were killed and 2.2 million displaced during the conflict. Unsurprisingly, trouble flared during the matches as Serbia won 1-0 on aggregate.
AFP/Getty Images
When Poland and Russia clashed at Euro 2012 running street battles erupted before kickoff. The two nations have a history of conflict, Poland being occupied by Stalin's Russia during and after World War II. Russian fans unveiled this banner before the game that provoked more tension in the stands. The game in Warsaw ended 1-1.
This is Russia —
When Poland and Russia clashed at Euro 2012 running street battles erupted before kickoff. The two nations have a history of conflict, Poland being occupied by Stalin's Russia during and after World War II. Russian fans unveiled this banner before the game that provoked more tension in the stands. The game in Warsaw ended 1-1.
AFP/Getty Images
The United States had had no diplomatic relations with Iran since the revolution in 1979. Furious political discussion ensued when they were drawn to meet at the 1998 World Cup. But the game passed off peacefully, the two teams swapping gifts and posing for a pre-match photo together. Iran won 2-1, knocking the U.S. out but defender Jeff Agoos said at the time: "We did more (for relations) in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years."
Iran knocks out U.S. —
The United States had had no diplomatic relations with Iran since the revolution in 1979. Furious political discussion ensued when they were drawn to meet at the 1998 World Cup. But the game passed off peacefully, the two teams swapping gifts and posing for a pre-match photo together. Iran won 2-1, knocking the U.S. out but defender Jeff Agoos said at the time: "We did more (for relations) in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years."
Getty Images
Matches between North African rivals Egypt and Algeria are always tense. When they met in a playoff for the 2010 World Cup it was held in Sudan. By this time both ambassadors had been recalled after a dispute over the stoning of the Algerian team bus in Cairo. Algeria won the playoff 1-0 with trouble flaring either side of the match.
Fanning the flames —
Matches between North African rivals Egypt and Algeria are always tense. When they met in a playoff for the 2010 World Cup it was held in Sudan. By this time both ambassadors had been recalled after a dispute over the stoning of the Algerian team bus in Cairo. Algeria won the playoff 1-0 with trouble flaring either side of the match.
AFP/Getty Images
Former Netherlands manager Rinus Michels summed up Dutch rivalry with Germany when he said "football is war." Due to their proximity, and the German occupation during World War II, their clash in the 1974 World Cup final was particularly toxic. Despite the Dutch playing silky football and scoring early, West Germany hit back to win 2-1.
'Football is war' —
Former Netherlands manager Rinus Michels summed up Dutch rivalry with Germany when he said "football is war." Due to their proximity, and the German occupation during World War II, their clash in the 1974 World Cup final was particularly toxic. Despite the Dutch playing silky football and scoring early, West Germany hit back to win 2-1.
AFP/Getty Images
South Korea's clash with the North in 2010 was held in Shanghai after a dispute over the playing of each nation's respective anthem. When the South won the return game 1-0 in Seoul, the North accused their opponents of deliberately giving their players food poisoning.
Tension in Korea —
South Korea's clash with the North in 2010 was held in Shanghai after a dispute over the playing of each nation's respective anthem. When the South won the return game 1-0 in Seoul, the North accused their opponents of deliberately giving their players food poisoning.
AFP/Getty Images
Honduras and El Salvador had been in dispute over migration and land reforms when they were drawn to play each other in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup. The two legs prompted violent clashes between fans, the cutting of diplomatic ties and skirmishes on the border before Salvador launched bombing raids shortly after. Four days later a ceasefire deal was reached. Their matches these days are more serene.
The Football War —
Honduras and El Salvador had been in dispute over migration and land reforms when they were drawn to play each other in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup. The two legs prompted violent clashes between fans, the cutting of diplomatic ties and skirmishes on the border before Salvador launched bombing raids shortly after. Four days later a ceasefire deal was reached. Their matches these days are more serene.
AFP/Getty Images