A goal awarded despite the ball not crossing the line, or denied when it clearly did. Before goal-line technology, these caused huge controversies. Lampard's shot against Germany in 2010 clearly crossed the line but wasn't given; Luis Garcia for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final in 2005; Geoff Hurst's 1966 World Cup final goal probably didn't cross but was given. Technology has mostly eliminated ghost goals, but the term lives on.
A player standing behind their penalty-taking teammate, mirroring their moves as they run-up to strike the ball. If the penalty taker side steps or does a stutter penalty, the player outside of the box does too in synchronisation. Is it superstition, a ploy to put off the keeper or just a tactic to be ready and in the right place for a rebound?
Youri Tielemans has history of doing a ‘ghost penalty run-up’. In the Premier League match against Ipswich, he copied Bruno Fernandes has he ran up to take a penalty, and at his previous club Aston Villa he was known to do the same.
When a lower league or underdog team knocks out a much bigger club, usually in a cup competition, particularly synonymous with the FA Cup. The smaller team has nothing to lose, give absolutely everything for 90 minutes, and the favourites often look like they can't be bothered. Home advantage at a tight, hostile ground helps too.
Do you remember Mickey Thomas' screamer against Arsenal in '92? What a giant killing.
The striker is through on goal, one on one with the keeper, rounds them and slots the ball home. You fully expect the net to bulge and the striker is already running off to celebrate. It’s not the end of the story though, a defender has raced back and managed to make a last ditch goal line clearance, sliding in to sweep the ball away just before it crosses the line for a goal. Last ditch defending masterclass.
One of the most famous examples of a goal line clearance came in the Manchester City v Liverpool match in 2019. After a mix-up with Ederson in goal, Sadio Mane thought he’d scored only for John Stones to slide in and hook the ball away. The referees watch didn’t buzz and the replays of the goal line technology showed the ball was just 11.2mm away from fully crossing the line. Manchester City won the match 2-1 and the league title from Liverpool by a single point, 98 points to 97.