He played for Real Madrid, is one of the richest former players in the world, and today he's a running star

The 2014 World Cup will forever be etched in the memories of Mexican football fans, but for all the wrong reasons. A controversial penalty awarded to the Netherlands, following a seemingly innocuous challenge by Mexico's Rafael Márquez on Arjen Robben, ultimately decided the outcome of the match. This incident has been a subject of heated debate for a decade, and its effects continue to reverberate through the football world.

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The incident occurred during the round of 16 match between Mexico and the Netherlands. With the game locked at 1-1, Robben went down in the box after a minimal contact with Márquez. The referee awarded a penalty, which was converted by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, sending the Dutch into the quarterfinals. Mexican fans were outraged, believing that the decision was unjust and had robbed their team of a well-deserved victory.

The aftermath of the match was filled with controversy. Mexican fans and pundits alike were furious, arguing that the referee had made a clear error. The incident sparked a global debate about the use of video assistant referees (VAR), which was not yet in use at the time.

The Robben Rule: How a Controversial Penalty Shook the World Cup

So, what happened to Arjen Robben after that fateful day? The Dutch winger continued his illustrious career, most notably with Bayern Munich, where he won numerous domestic and European titles. However, the image of Robben diving to win a penalty against Mexico will forever be associated with his name.

In recent years, Robben has retired from professional football. While he may have hung up his boots, the memory of his controversial penalty continues to linger. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can decide the fate of a nation at a World Cup. And for Mexican fans, it is a painful chapter in their football history that they will never forget.