The FIFA World Cup is an occasion of memorable and thrilling games in the history of football. These matches have provided unbelievable skill, dramatic moments and remarkable feats which attracted fans all over the world. This essay looks at some of the greatest World Cup matches ever played that have defined football.
1. Brazil vs Italy – 1970 Final
The match between Brazil and Italy in the final of the 1970 World Cup is regarded as one of the best football games ever played. The scoring affair ended 4-1 with Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto finding their way to the score sheet for Brazil. It was a masterpiece by Brazilian footballers who won this game hence becoming world champions.
2. Germany vs Italy – 1970 Semi-Final
This was a semifinal match of the 1970 World cup between Germany and Italy also known as “game of the century” ending up with Italy winning after extra time by 4-3 goals. This was an exciting contest that featured five goals during extra time, with Gianni Rivera netting the decisive goal. The match featured great drama and inspiring individual displays.
3. Argentina vs England – 1986 Quarter-Final
Among its most memorable moments are two goals scored in one quarter-final encounter between Argentina and England in Mexico ‘86: Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his subsequent solo effort often called “Goal of Century”. These were enough to give Argentina a hard earned victory over England at 2-1 score line. It is a performance that has been discussed extensively in soccer circles ever since.
4. France vs Brazil – 1986 Quarter-Final
France drew this game against Brazil despite a draw in regular time it went further to extra-time still finishing all level at one goal each thus being resolved through penalties; France eventually triumphed via spot-kicks by four goals against three. It was a game of high quality soccer, great moments and nerve-wrecking penalty shootouts. The defining moments in this match were Michel Platini’s captaincy and Zico’s unsuccessful spot-kick.
5. England vs West Germany – 1966 Final
England’s victory over Germany in the final of the 1966 World Cup remains one of football’s memorable matches as the home team won 4-2 at Wembley Stadium. Geoff Hurst had a hat trick including an ambiguous goal called “Wembley Goal” and Englishmen won after extra time thereby becoming world champions for only once till today.
6. Brazil vs France – 1998 Final
The match ended with a score line of 3-0 in favor of France against Brazil during the 1998 World Cup final where Zinedine Zidane scored twice using headers. It was the first ever win at the highest stage for French men who played before their home crowd in Stade de France that night. This final has remained unforgettable due to Zidane’s outstanding performance and unexpected defeat for Brazilians.
7. Italy vs France – 2006 Final
In normal time it was also a draw, however, Italy leveled with France through penalties thus gaining an upper hand by winning five while conceding three; ending it as a tie game with two goals on each side during extra-time. The match is however best known for Marco Materazzi being head-butted by Zinedine Zidane who received red card as penalty shootout began later on; it marked Italy’s tenth triumph in FIFA World Cup history.
8.Germany v Brazil -2014 Semi-Final
Astonishingly, Germany recorded an emphatic seven-one win over Brazil in the semi-finals of the FIFA world cup competition held last year, which goes down as one of greatest soccer games ever played. Five goals were scored within just twenty nine minutes of the opening whistle, shocking the host nation as well as fans world over. This match is remembered for this dominance and unexpected result.
9. Ghana v Uruguay – 2010 Quarter-Final
The quarterfinal between Uruguay and Ghana in 2010 was a dramatic game which ended level at 1-1 after extra time. In the last minute, Asamoah Gyan of Ghana missed a penalty and the latter subsequently lost to Uruguay on penalties 4-2. Luis Suárez handballing on the goal line and Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty are the defining moments of this unforgettable match.
10. Netherlands vs. Spain – 2014 Group Stage
In one of these world cup group stage matches in 2014, Netherlands defeated Spain by five goals to one (5-1). Robin van Persie’s astonishing diving header and Arjen Robben’s magnificent display were in the spotlight during this encounter marking Spain’s defense of their World Cup title as shocking beginning to the tournament, its unpredictable nature unmistakable.
Not only have these games defined world cups but they have also left an indelible print on the beautiful game. Fans are continuously enthralled by unforgettable moments, dramatic turns of events as well as some exceptional performances.
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