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The 17 Greatest World Cup Goals of All Time

By YPB Team3 votes

Vote for the greatest World Cup goal of all time — from Maradona's slalom past six England defenders to James Rodríguez's chest-and-volley thunder strike. Which moment best captures the magic of the beautiful game?

  1. Ronaldo Nazário 2002 — ranked #11
    Ronaldo Nazário 2002
    A poacher's finish as Brazil lifted their fifth World Cup in Yokohama, Ronaldo scoring twice after an extraordinary comeback from health adversity.
    1000pts
    BE
  2. James Rodríguez 2014 — ranked #22
    James Rodríguez 2014
    A chest-control-volley of laser precision against Uruguay's goalkeeper — the defining image of the 2014 tournament and winner of the Puskás Award.
    960pts
  3. Maradona's Goal of the Century — ranked #33
    Maradona's Goal of the Century
    A solo run from the halfway line leaving six England players in his wake, widely considered the greatest goal in football history — Argentina vs England, 1986.
    864pts
  4. Dennis Bergkamp 1998 — ranked #44
    Dennis Bergkamp 1998
    A stunning first touch to control a long pass, then a low shot around the defender in injury time — perfection in every dimension — Netherlands vs Argentina, 1998.
    863pts
  5. Ronaldinho's Lob 2002 — ranked #55
    Ronaldinho's Lob 2002
    A looping long-range free kick that sailed over a stranded goalkeeper, leaving the Shizuoka crowd stunned — Brazil vs England, 2002.
    720pts
  6. Pelé's 1958 Final Goal — ranked #66
    Pelé's 1958 Final Goal
    A chest control, spin, flick and volley in one breathtaking sequence — a 17-year-old Pelé scoring in his first World Cup Final against Sweden, 1958.
    652pts
  7. Archie Gemmill 1978 — ranked #77
    Archie Gemmill 1978
    A weaving dribble past three Dutch defenders capped with a delicate chip — Gemmill's masterpiece for Scotland vs Netherlands in 1978.
    576pts
  8. Mario Kempes 1978 — ranked #88
    Mario Kempes 1978
    A mazy run through the Dutch defence capped with a poke home — the defining goal of Argentina's first World Cup triumph in the 1978 Final.
    575pts
  9. Landon Donovan 2010 — ranked #99
    Landon Donovan 2010
    A last-second finish after a lightning counter-attack that sent the United States through to the knockout stage, one of the most emotional moments in USMNT history.
    487pts
  10. Robin van Persie 2014 — ranked #1010
    Robin van Persie 2014
    A full-stretch diving header off a looped cross, defying gravity to open the scoring against the reigning champions Spain in 2014.
    384pts
  11. Mbappé's 2022 Final Volley — ranked #1111
    Mbappé's 2022 Final Volley
    A ferocious left-footed volley inside the box in the 97th minute of the World Cup Final, part of the most stunning individual haul in a title decider since 1966.
    384pts
  12. Saeed Al-Owairan 1994 — ranked #1212
    Saeed Al-Owairan 1994
    A 70-yard run from his own half past five Belgian defenders — considered among the longest solo dribble goals in World Cup history, 1994.
    261pts
  13. Esteban Cambiasso 2006 — ranked #1313
    Esteban Cambiasso 2006
    After a 24-pass team move, Cambiasso's side-footed finish completed what many call the greatest team goal since Carlos Alberto — Argentina vs Serbia, 2006.
    261pts
  14. Andrés Iniesta 2010 — ranked #1414
    Andrés Iniesta 2010
    A perfectly struck volley in extra time that sent Spain to their first-ever World Cup title, sparking delirious celebrations in every corner of the world.
    261pts
  15. Roger Milla 1990 — ranked #1515
    Roger Milla 1990
    At 38, the oldest scorer in World Cup history, Milla danced his way into legend for Cameroon with two goals against Colombia and a trademark corner-flag celebration.
    261pts
  16. Carlos Alberto 1970 — ranked #1616
    Carlos Alberto 1970
    The flowing team move finished with a rifled low drive, capping one of the greatest passing sequences in World Cup Final history — Brazil vs Italy, 1970.
    261pts
  17. Zidane's Panenka 2006 — ranked #1717
    Zidane's Panenka 2006
    An ice-cold Panenka chip in the penalty shootout of a World Cup Final — an audacious gesture of composure from Zidane in his final ever international game.
    115pts

#sports635#football575#classics463#world cup109#legends373#all-time306#national teams95

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Comments

Seventeen goals ranked as moments rather than careers, from a run past five England players to Bergkamp against Argentina in 1998: https://youpick.best/articles/pele-vs-maradona-ranked https://youpick.best/articles/how-many-ways-to-rank-james-rodriguez

YP
ypb-team·Aug 21·
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