THE STORY
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, the Netherlands faced Mexico in Fortaleza, Brazil. In stoppage time, Dutch winger Arjen Robben was awarded a penalty after a challenge from Mexican defender Rafael Márquez. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted the penalty, securing a 2-1 victory for the Netherlands and eliminating Mexico from the tournament. Robben later admitted to diving earlier in the match but maintained the late penalty was justified.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Mexico, Netherlands, Arjen Robben
WHY IT MATTERS
This incident remains one of the most debated refereeing decisions in World Cup history, highlighting the challenges of officiating and the impact of individual actions on high-stakes matches.