World Cup Football

El Salvador

El Salvador & Honduras broke into a war because of a clash in the 1970 qualifying competition. In between the three qualifying matches between El Salvador and arch-rival neighbours Honduras in 1969, there were riots & killings among the fans. A war finally broke out between the two countries in July 1969. Thousands of people were killed or injured. Historians call this 'The War of Soccer'.
In Mexico's 4-0 win over El Salvador on 7 June 1970, one of the goals should have been disallowed, as an El Salvador's free kick was taken by a Mexican player. Shortly before halftime, a free kick was awarded to El Salvador near the touchline. Instead, a Mexican player took it, and passed the ball to his teammate Valdivia. To everyone's surprise, the Egyptian referee Hussain Kandil waved 'play on', Valdivia booted the ball into the net, and the goal was allowed. When their appeals were denied by the referee, the El Salvador players restarted the game by kicking the ball into the crowd!
Where is El Salvador? Check out this map.