A phantom goal is a controversial term in sports that refers to a goal that has been incorrectly awarded by the officials due to various reasons, such as the ball not crossing the goal line or a foul being committed during the play. Synonyms for phantom goal include ghost goal, invisible goal, imaginary goal, and disputed goal. Other related terms include phantom offside, phantom foul, and phantom penalty. These terms suggest a similar dynamic where a decision has been made by the referee that is deemed incorrect by the opposing team, usually resulting in fierce debates and scrutiny from the media and fans alike.