WATCH | Cristiano Ronaldo Had THREE Goals Ruled Out in One Match: Unbelievable!

The Portuguese striker could have finished the match with four goals but the referee did not allow him to do so. Cristiano Ronaldo had a historic night for the worse as he had three goals disallowed and while he was able to score a goal he came up short in a match in which Al Nassr won 3-1 against Al Fateh.

Instances Where Three Goals Were Disallowed in a Single Match

In football, one of the most dramatic and controversial moments during a game can be when a goal is disallowed. Whether due to an offside, a foul, or an infringement of the rules, these decisions can have a huge impact on the outcome of a match. On rare occasions, a single match has witnessed the disallowing of not just one, but three goals. These situations often lead to heated debates and discussions, as fans, players, and coaches alike try to understand the reasoning behind such decisions.

Here are some of the most memorable instances in football history where three goals were ruled out in a single match.

1. Spain vs. Russia, 2018 FIFA World Cup

One of the most notable matches where three goals were disallowed took place during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In a Round of 16 match between Spain and Russia, three Spanish goals were ruled out by the referee after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR). The first two goals were chalked off for offside decisions, while the third was ruled out due to a foul in the build-up to the goal.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time and extra time, and the Spanish team ultimately lost in the penalty shootout. The disallowing of those three goals caused frustration among the Spanish players, who felt that they had been denied legitimate goals. This incident highlighted the growing influence of VAR in modern football and the potential for it to influence major tournaments.

2. Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League 2022

In the 2022 Premier League clash between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, the game was a spectacle of dramatic moments, including a rare occurrence where three goals were disallowed in a single match. Two of the goals were ruled out for offside, while the third was chalked off after a controversial decision involving a foul on Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The game ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with both teams having legitimate claims for the goals they had scored, only for the referee to disallow them after VAR reviews. The disallowed goals became a major talking point in the aftermath, with Spurs manager Antonio Conte and Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel both expressing frustration at the decisions. The controversy highlighted the challenges referees face when using VAR, and the fine margins that can decide a match.

3. Arsenal vs. Sheffield United, Premier League 2019

Another famous example of three disallowed goals occurred in a Premier League match between Arsenal and Sheffield United in 2019. During this encounter, Arsenal had three goals ruled out by the referee after consultations with VAR. The first two goals were disallowed for marginal offside decisions, while the third was ruled out after a foul in the build-up play.

The game ended 1-0 in Arsenal’s favor, but the controversial disallowed goals caused frustration among both the Arsenal fans and the players. In the world of modern football, where technology plays such a significant role in decision-making, these disallowed goals sparked debates about the consistency and accuracy of VAR, as well as its impact on the flow and excitement of matches.

4. West Ham United vs. Manchester United, Premier League 2018

In the 2018 Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Manchester United, three goals were ruled out during the course of the match, making it one of the rare occasions when a single game saw so many disallowed goals. Two of the disallowed goals came from Manchester United, with one being ruled out for offside and another for a foul in the lead-up to the goal. West Ham also had a goal disallowed for offside, adding to the contentious nature of the match.

The match ended in a 3-1 victory for Manchester United, but the disallowed goals were a major talking point post-match. Many fans and pundits felt that the referee and VAR had made the wrong decisions, and debates about the accuracy and effectiveness of the system ensued. The match served as a reminder of how technology can sometimes lead to more controversy in football, rather than resolving it.

5. Liverpool vs. Everton, Premier League 2020

In the 2020 Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, three goals were controversially ruled out after VAR checks. The first goal, scored by Liverpool’s Sadio Mané, was ruled out for offside after a very tight call, with the margins so small that even the most experienced analysts struggled to come to a definitive conclusion. The second disallowed goal came from Everton, as a goal scored by Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out for a foul on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Finally, the third disallowed goal occurred when Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk scored a header, which was ruled out after a review for a handball in the build-up to the goal. These three instances of disallowed goals added to the intense nature of the rivalry and increased the tension throughout the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The decisions were heavily scrutinized by the media, with many questioning the consistency and application of VAR in such crucial moments.

Conclusion: The Impact of VAR and Disallowed Goals

The instances where three goals are disallowed in a single match remain rare, but they serve as a reminder of the fine line between success and disappointment in football. With the introduction of VAR, referees now have the ability to review decisions and correct any mistakes made on the field, but this has not come without controversy.

Disallowed goals often lead to heated debates, with fans, players, and coaches divided on the fairness of the decisions. The application of technology in football continues to evolve, and while it has undoubtedly led to more accurate decisions, it has also introduced new challenges. The moments when three goals are ruled out in a match are memorable not only because of the disallowed goals themselves, but because they highlight the delicate balance between technology and human judgment in the beautiful game.