15 Surprising Football Moments You Probably Didn't Know
Football, or soccer as it's known in some parts of the world, is a sport full of unforgettable moments, legendary players, and dramatic matches. While everyone remembers iconic events such as Maradona's "Hand of God" or Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final, there are plenty of other lesser-known moments that have made the beautiful game what it is today. Here are 15 surprising moments in football that you probably never knew that will amaze you and make you want to tell other football lovers.
1. The First-Ever Red Card (1970)
As difficult as that may sound, red and yellow cards have not always belonged to football. They were incorporated into the sport in the 1970 World Cup to help referees get their point across better. The first-ever red card shown was to Carlos Caszely of Chile during a match against West Germany. It must be hilarious to think how players pulled through without cards, just imagine the chaos!
2. The Longest Goal in Football History
In 2013, Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begović scored a goal from 91.9 meters out against Southampton. This is officially recognized as the longest goal in football history, and it only took place some 13 seconds into the match! It's one of those moments that makes you love the unpredictability of football.
3. The Match That Lasted 3 Days
In 1946, a match between Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers was abandoned due to fog after 89 minutes. The game was replayed, but the fog struck again, and it took three days to finally complete the match!
4. The World Cup Trophy Was Stolen (1966)
The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen four months before the 1966 World Cup in England during a public exhibition. It was found by a dog named Pickles, who instantly became a national hero. I wonder what was going through poor Pickles's mind after such fame, just an extra treat, I would say.
5. The Fastest Hat-Trick in Football
In 2015, Sunday league player Alex Torr of England scored a hat-trick in a whopping 70 seconds in a local match. This feat is unofficially the fastest hat trick ever recorded. It shows that magic sometimes appears in the places you least expect.
6. The First Live Televised Match (1937)
The first-ever live televised football match was between Arsenal and Arsenal Reserves in 1937. Only a few thousand people had TVs at the time, but it marked the beginning of football’s global broadcasting era. It’s wild to think how far we’ve come, from a few thousand viewers to billions tuning in for the World Cup.
7. The Player Who Scored for Both Teams in a World Cup Match
During the 1994 World Cup, USA defender Ernie Stewart scored an own goal against Colombia. Later in the same match, he scored for his own team, making him the only player to score for both sides in a World Cup game. Well, that's how things are balanced.
8. The Shortest Player in Football History
Standing at an incredible 4 feet 7 inches (1.40 meters) is the Brazilian midfielder Elton José Xavier Gomes, who holds the record for the shortest-ever professional footballer.
9. The Match Played on a Frozen Pitch (1940)
The second great story that comes to mind is the one from World War II, a match between FC Start and a German military team in Kyiv, played on a frozen pitch. Despite the unbearable conditions, FC Start won 5-1, and the players became symbols of resistance.
10. The First Women's Football Match (1895)
The first women's football match was recorded in 1895 in London, between North and South teams. The North won 7-1, but women's football was banned in England in 1921 and only revived many decades later. It is truly inspiring to think how far women's football has come since then, with record-breaking attendance and viewership today.
11. The Goalkeeper Who Scored 131 Goals
Legendary Brazilian goalkeeper Rogério Ceni scored 131 goals, mostly from free kicks and penalties. He still holds the record for most goals by a keeper, something very rare to even think about with goalkeepers who have been trained throughout the decades to save them rather than score them. I must say that he really rewrote the books in this sense.
12. The Goalless World Cup Final of 1994
The 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy ended 0-0 after extra time. Brazil won 3-2 on penalties, making its cup count 4, the only country to do so.
13. The Player Who Played for Two Countries in One Day
In 1956, László Kubala played for both Spain and Hungary in two different matches on the same day. This was possible because one match was a friendly and the other was an unofficial game. It's one of those quirky football facts that makes you go, "Wait, how?"
14. The Longest Penalty Shootout in History
One match in Namibia between KK Palace and Civics in 2005 went to a 48-penalty shootout where KK Palace came out on top 17-16 for the longest penalty shootout on record. I can't even begin to imagine how jittery those players must have gotten. My legs would've turned into jelly!
15. The First Black Professional Footballer (1889)
Arthur Wharton, from Ghana, was the first black professional footballer, and he started goalkeeping in 1889 with Preston North End. Wharton broke into the sport and helped break down the racial barriers. His story is a strong reminder that football has always remained synonymous with breaking frontiers and uniting people.
It is not just goals and trophies; football is an art with a rich history, full of strange facts and unforgettable moments. These 15 little-known facts show the special charm of this game and remind us why it is called the beautiful game.
Which of these moments surprised you the most? Share your views in the comment section. Share this post with your fellow football fans and let's celebrate the incredible stories that make football so special!