5 most politically influenced matches in World Cup history

FBL-WC-2018-RUS-FLAG
The World Cup in Russia has seen some political controversy already

#4 Angola vs. Portugal, 2006

BT Sport. Football. FIFA World Cup. Cologne. 11th June 2006. Angola 0 v Portugal 1. Angola's Mateus, left, challenged by Portugal's Petit.
Portugal ran out narrow winners

Angola gained independence in 1975 freeing themselves from Portuguese rule. The Portuguese had ruled over Angola for more than 500 years, which ended after a long freedom struggle.

Both these nations met in a friendly in 2001, but the match was nowhere near friendly. Angola took their rage out and the match had to be abandoned in the 67th minute after the minnows received their fourth red card.

They were drawn in the same group at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and many expected their clash to be just as heated. However, the match was kind of dull, as Portugal won with the solitary goal coming from Pedro Pauleta.

Quick Links