The 43 Greatest FIFA World Cup Moments of All Time

The FIFA World Cup has delivered unforgettable moments of brilliance, controversy, and pure sporting drama since 1930. Which moment lives rent-free in your memory?

1. 1
   Robin van Persie's Flying Header

   The Dutch striker's perfectly timed diving header against Spain in 2014 opened a 5-1 humiliation of the defending champions.
   1000pts

   DI
2. 2
   Maradona's Hand of God

   Diego Maradona's infamous 1986 handball goal against England that sparked global controversy and became one of soccer's most debated moments.
   999pts
3. 3
   Messi Completes Football 2022

   Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup trophy in 2022 after a penalty shootout win over France, completing his legendary career story.
   820pts
4. 4
   Zidane's Headbutt

   Zinedine Zidane's shocking 2006 final headbutt on Materazzi in extra time, the last act of a legendary career.
   694pts
5. 5
   Tardelli's Scream

   Marco Tardelli's raw, tearful celebration sprint after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final became one of sport's most iconic images.
   555pts
6. 6
   Pelé at 17 in 1958 Final

   The teenage Pelé scored twice in the 1958 World Cup final, announcing himself to the world as the greatest player of his generation.
   481pts
7. 7
   Carlos Alberto's Goal

   Brazil's captain crowned a breathtaking 1970 team move with a thunderous finish against Italy in what many call the greatest team goal ever scored.
   481pts
8. 8
   Germany 7-1 Brazil

   The stunning 2014 semifinal demolition of host nation Brazil, featuring five goals in eighteen minutes in front of a devastated home crowd.
   481pts
9. 9
   Mario Götze's Extra-Time Winner

   The 23-year-old substitute controlled Schürrle's cross and volleyed home to win Germany the 2014 World Cup against Argentina in extra time.
   396pts
10. 10
    Michael Owen vs Argentina 1998

    The 18-year-old burst past two defenders and drove an unstoppable shot past the keeper in the most celebrated goal of his career.
    299pts
11. 11
    Kylian Mbappé Hat-trick 2022

    The French forward scored a stunning hat-trick in the 2022 final, including two goals in two minutes to level the score against Argentina.
    299pts
12. 12
    Geoff Hurst Hat-trick Final

    England's 1966 final hero scored three goals including the disputed Wembley goal and a searing last-gasp finish to seal a 4-2 victory.
    299pts
13. 13
    Roberto Baggio's Missed Penalty

    Italy's star player blazed his 1994 World Cup final penalty over the bar, handing Brazil the trophy in heartbreaking fashion.
    185pts
14. 14
    Roger Milla's Corner Flag Dance

    Cameroon's veteran striker celebrated his 1990 World Cup goals with his signature corner-flag dance, charming the entire world.
    0pts
15. 15
    Maradona's Goal of the Century

    Four minutes after the Hand of God, Diego Maradona dribbled 60 metres past five England players in the 1986 quarter-final, later voted FIFA's Goal of the Century.
16. 16
    The Maracanazo 1950

    Uruguay silenced nearly 200,000 fans at the Maracanã by beating hosts Brazil 2-1 in the deciding match, Alcides Ghiggia scoring the winner eleven minutes from time.
17. 17
    The Miracle of Bern 1954

    West Germany came from 2-0 down to beat Hungary's Golden Team 3-2 in the final, Helmut Rahn's late winner ending a 31-match unbeaten run.
18. 18
    Gordon Banks' Save from Pelé

    At Guadalajara in 1970, Gordon Banks dived across his goal to scoop Pelé's downward header over the bar, a stop still called the greatest save ever made.
19. 19
    Italy 4-3 West Germany 1970

    The Game of the Century: a semi-final at the Azteca with five goals in extra time, played by Franz Beckenbauer with his dislocated shoulder strapped to his body.
20. 20
    The Cruyff Turn 1974

    Against Sweden in 1974, Johan Cruyff dragged the ball behind his standing leg to leave defender Jan Olsson stranded, inventing a move copied by players ever since.
21. 21
    Paolo Rossi's Hat-trick vs Brazil

    In Barcelona in 1982, Paolo Rossi scored all three goals as Italy beat the Brazil of Zico and Sócrates 3-2, then went on to win the trophy and the Golden Boot.
22. 22
    Schumacher's Foul on Battiston

    In the 1982 semi-final in Seville, West Germany's goalkeeper Harald Schumacher flattened Patrick Battiston, leaving him unconscious without even a foul given, before the first World Cup shoot-out.
23. 23
    Saeed Al-Owairan's Solo Goal 1994

    Saudi Arabia's forward ran from his own half past a string of Belgian defenders to score in Washington, sending his country into the knockout rounds at its first World Cup.
24. 24
    Bergkamp's Goal vs Argentina 1998

    In the last minute of the Marseille quarter-final, Dennis Bergkamp controlled Frank de Boer's 60-metre pass with three perfect touches and finished past Carlos Roa.
25. 25
    Zidane's Two Headers in the 1998 Final

    Zinedine Zidane headed in two corners against Brazil at the Stade de France, setting up a 3-0 win and France's first World Cup title on home soil.
26. 26
    Ronaldo's Redemption in 2002

    Four years after his mysterious collapse before the 1998 final, Ronaldo scored both goals against Germany in Yokohama to finish with eight goals and Brazil's fifth title.
27. 27
    Senegal Stun France 2002

    In the opening match in Seoul, debutants Senegal beat the holders 1-0, Papa Bouba Diop scoring and dancing around his shirt by the corner flag.
28. 28
    Ahn Jung-hwan's Golden Goal vs Italy

    Co-hosts South Korea knocked out Italy in 2002 when Ahn Jung-hwan headed a golden goal in extra time, and his Italian club Perugia then said it would not renew his contract.
29. 29
    Suárez's Handball vs Ghana 2010

    In the last minute of extra time, Luis Suárez punched a goal-bound header off the line, Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty and Uruguay won the shoot-out.
30. 30
    Iniesta's Winner in the 2010 Final

    Andrés Iniesta volleyed in the 116th-minute winner against the Netherlands in Johannesburg, giving Spain its first ever World Cup title.
31. 31
    Lampard's Ghost Goal 2010

    Frank Lampard's shot against Germany bounced clearly over the line but was not given, a 4-1 defeat for England that pushed FIFA toward goal-line technology.
32. 32
    James Rodríguez's Volley vs Uruguay

    In 2014, James Rodríguez chested the ball and volleyed it in off the bar from outside the box, a goal that won the Puskás Award on his way to the Golden Boot.
33. 33
    Klose's Record 16th Goal

    Miroslav Klose became the World Cup's all-time top scorer with his 16th goal during the 7-1 semi-final demolition of Brazil in 2014, passing Ronaldo.
34. 34
    Saudi Arabia Stun Argentina 2022

    Salem Al-Dawsari's curling strike completed a 2-1 comeback in Lusail, ending Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run in the biggest shock of the tournament.
35. 35
    Morocco Reach the Semi-Finals 2022

    Walid Regragui's Morocco beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal to become the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final.
36. 36
    Emiliano Martínez's Save from Kolo Muani

    In the last seconds of extra time in the 2022 final, Emiliano Martínez blocked Randal Kolo Muani's shot with his leg, keeping Argentina alive for the shoot-out.
37. 37
    Gascoigne's Tears in Turin 1990

    A yellow card in the semi-final against West Germany meant Paul Gascoigne would miss the final, and his tears became the image of England's Italia 90.
38. 38
    Eusébio's Four Goals vs North Korea

    With Portugal 3-0 down to North Korea in the 1966 quarter-final, Eusébio scored four goals in a 5-3 comeback at Goodison Park.
39. 39
    Just Fontaine's 13 Goals in 1958

    France's striker scored 13 goals in six matches in Sweden, a record for a single World Cup that still stands more than six decades later.
40. 40
    Beckham's Red Card vs Argentina 1998

    David Beckham flicked a kick at Diego Simeone and was sent off in the Saint-Étienne round of 16, and England went out on penalties.
41. 41
    Ronaldinho's Free Kick vs England 2002

    In the Shizuoka quarter-final, Ronaldinho's long-range free kick floated over a stranded David Seaman, the winning goal on Brazil's road to a fifth title.
42. 42
    Pavard's Volley vs Argentina 2018

    Benjamin Pavard struck a curling half-volley with the outside of his foot in the 4-3 round-of-16 win in Kazan, later voted goal of the tournament.
43. 43
    Gerd Müller's Winner in the 1974 Final

    In Munich, Gerd Müller swivelled and scored the winner against the Netherlands, his 14th World Cup goal and a record that stood for 32 years.

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