Here is a list of the top 10 greatest world cup matches of all time –
France Vs. Italy (2006 World Cup Final), 1-1 (5-3)
One of the most intense games in history, Italy battled France like gladiators, and it was a very telling scene that one incident prevented France from creating history. Zinedine Zidane broke the deadlock with an audacious panenka penalty against Gianluigi Buffon.
The momentum was in France’s favor, but Materazzi launched himself to head in an equalizer. The match persisted, with chances going begging for both sides.
In the 110th minute, Materazzi’s provocation led Zidane to heat up and headbutt Materazzi in the chest. Arguably one of, if not the craziest, moment in world cup history. The penalties eventually belonged to Italy, and they snatched the hopes of France to win their 2nd ever world cup.
France Vs. Argentina (2018 World Cup), 4-3
This match brought to limelight the craziest talent of this generation, Kylian Mbappe. With his blistering pace, he ripped apart Argentina’s defense like it was nothing but a piece of paper.
Two worldies were witnessed in this game, one from Di Maria, and the other from Benjamin Pavard, which is one of the greatest goals in world cup history. An impeccable volley caressing the net gave the keeper no chance of stopping it.
Lionel Messi was held silent the whole game by France, yet still he was able to produce two world class assists. But Mbappe had stolen the spotlight by then with his two amazing goals and a lung-bursting dribble from the middle of the pitch to earn a penalty.
Antoine Griezmann gave France the lead with his composed penalty following Mbappe’s run.
The match ended 4-3, in France’s favor, kicking out Argentina from the world cup round of 16 and crushing Messi’s dream of lifting the world cup. One of the most memorable FIFA games ever.
Uruguay Vs. Netherlands (2010 World Cup Semi final), 2-3
This game only consisted of world class goals, absolute bangers. The Adidas Jabulani was a revolutionary football, with its aerodynamics completely in favor of the strikers. Diego Forlan was the one player who made proper use of the ball and used it to his advantage.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst launched an absolute missile from the left of the pitch to give the Netherlands the lead. This very well went into the history books as one of the greatest goals ever, and not just in the world cup.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst launched an absolute missile from the left of the pitch to give the Netherlands the lead. This very well went into the history books as one of the greatest goals ever, and not just in the world cup.
Then Forlan equalized, with his own definition of a rocket, with his shot, leaving Edwin Van Der Saar scrambling. Then 2 quick goals from Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder saw the Netherlands in front.
In the 90th minute, Maxi Pereira grabbed a consolation for his team, ending it 2-3, seeing the Netherlands through to the final of the world cup yet again.
Brazil Vs. Italy (1970 World Cup Final) 4-1
Pele opened the scoring in the 19th minute to give Brazil the lead. Boninsegna brought Italy back into the game with his equalizer in the 37th minute.
But Brazil were the powerhouses of the game, and this encounter was the first between the 2 former champions. Gerson and Jarzinho scored a goal each in quick succession, making it 3-1 to Brazil.
Then, in the latter stages of the game, Carlos Alberto thumped in a beautiful goal, which was assisted by the great Pele himself. Pele didn’t even have a proper look at who was making the run on the right, yet he just made a simple and casual pass, like he’d already noticed who it was in his peripheral.
Carlos Alberto’s goal was renowned as the greatest goal in the tournament’s history, but that may beg different opinions.
Netherlands Vs. Argentina (2022 World Cup Quarter Final), 2-2 (3-4)
Expected to be a feisty encounter, the game starts off with an amazing Lionel Messi assist to Molina for him to give Argentina the lead in the 35th minute of the game.
Almost completely dominant throughout the game, Argentina had them by their throats, which was followed by another goal for Argentina from Lionel Messi himself this time. This time, a penalty.
Weghorst came in for the Netherlands, which almost proved extremely fatal for the Argentinians. A goal in the 83th minute and another one deep into the stoppage time, 90 '+11, drew the game and took it to extra time.
Brazil Vs. Italy (1970 World Cup Final) 4-1
Pele opened the scoring in the 19th minute to give Brazil the lead. Boninsegna brought Italy back into the game with his equalizer in the 37th minute.
But Brazil were the powerhouses of the game, and this encounter was the first between the 2 former champions. Gerson and Jarzinho scored a goal each in quick succession, making it 3-1 to Brazil.
Then, in the latter stages of the game, Carlos Alberto thumped in a beautiful goal, which was assisted by the great Pele himself. Pele didn’t even have a proper look at who was making the run on the right, yet he just made a simple and casual pass, like he’d already noticed who it was in his peripheral.
Carlos Alberto’s goal was renowned as the greatest goal in the tournament’s history, but that may beg different opinions.
Netherlands Vs. Argentina (2022 World Cup Quarter Final), 2-2 (3-4)
Expected to be a feisty encounter, the game starts off with an amazing Lionel Messi assist to Molina for him to give Argentina the lead in the 35th minute of the game.
Almost completely dominant throughout the game, Argentina had them by their throats, which was followed by another goal for Argentina from Lionel Messi himself this time. This time, a penalty.
Weghorst came in for the Netherlands, which almost proved extremely fatal for the Argentinians. A goal in the 83th minute and another one deep into the stoppage time, 90 '+11, drew the game and took it to extra time.
A precisely thought out freekick straight from the training ground saved the Netherlands from broken hearts.
Quite a drama erupted when Leandro Paredes kicked the ball with full intention onto the Dutch bench. Van Dijk shoved him to the ground to start a massive scene for the fans to cherish.
Dumfries received a red, which escalated the Dutch’s problems in containing Argentina. Somehow, the match was dragged to penalties, and Argentina saw themselves through, thanks to the heroics of their goalkeeper, Emi Martinez.
Germany Vs. Italy (2006 World Cup Semi Final), 0-2
Quite a drama erupted when Leandro Paredes kicked the ball with full intention onto the Dutch bench. Van Dijk shoved him to the ground to start a massive scene for the fans to cherish.
Dumfries received a red, which escalated the Dutch’s problems in containing Argentina. Somehow, the match was dragged to penalties, and Argentina saw themselves through, thanks to the heroics of their goalkeeper, Emi Martinez.
Germany Vs. Italy (2006 World Cup Semi Final), 0-2
Two heavyweights going toe-to-toe was a treat for the fans. Although this match didn’t contain a lot of goals, it was an emotional rollercoaster for the fans in the dying minutes of the game. The German fans, especially, faced a major heartbreak.
A Fabio Grosso curler left the German goalkeeper glued to the floor as the ball curled into the goal, out of his reach. The pass that assisted this goal was a thing of beauty and calmness, and without a doubt, it was Andrea Pirlo who made the pass.
Followed by this goal in the 119th minute, Cannavaro’s interception, or rather clearance, saw him drive the ball up the field to Totti, who then carried it to the final third before setting it up for Del Piero to slot home the winner in the 120th minute.
Fabio Cannavaro really took up the responsibility by wearing the armband and leading his team to a world cup victory. He then went on to win the Ballon D’or that year.
England Vs. West Germany (1966 World Cup Semi Final), 4-2
A Fabio Grosso curler left the German goalkeeper glued to the floor as the ball curled into the goal, out of his reach. The pass that assisted this goal was a thing of beauty and calmness, and without a doubt, it was Andrea Pirlo who made the pass.
Followed by this goal in the 119th minute, Cannavaro’s interception, or rather clearance, saw him drive the ball up the field to Totti, who then carried it to the final third before setting it up for Del Piero to slot home the winner in the 120th minute.
Fabio Cannavaro really took up the responsibility by wearing the armband and leading his team to a world cup victory. He then went on to win the Ballon D’or that year.
England Vs. West Germany (1966 World Cup Semi Final), 4-2
An unforgettable one for the English people, as this is the only ever world cup final victory. West Germany have always been the faces of the world cup and beating them was impossible at that time, along with Brazil.
Against all odds, England made their way to victory with the game going to extra time and the first player to ever score a world cup final hat trick. Geoff Hurst was the man who created history on that day.
An equalizer in the 90th minute from Wolfgang Weber didn’t stop England from winning it all in extra time.
Uruguay Vs. Ghana (2010 World Cup Quarter Final), 1-1 (4-2)
One of the most hateful stories was created after this match. Sulley Muntari gave Ghana the lead in the 45th minute. But the lead didn’t last long when Diego Forlan leveled it up in the 55th minute.
The match was pulled towards extra time when one of the craziest and most controversial incidents happened. Luiz Suarez handled the ball and cleared it off the line, preventing Ghana from winning it in extra time. A straight red was shown to him, and he was off.
A moment of disgrace called the Ghana fans and citizens. All this happened in the 120th minute of the game. The penalty was rocketed by one of the Ghana players, which broke the entire country’s heart. Suarez watched all of this drama unfold from the sidelines.
The penalty shootout also went against Ghana, which gave Uruguay the semi final.
Brazil Vs. Germany (2014 World Cup Semi Final), 7-1
This one can be argumentative, as some people consider this to be the greatest and most dominant performance in world cup history. And boy, was it a slaughter!
The host nation completely fell off the tracks after they lost Neymar in the quarter final. Thomas Mueller started off the scoring when a corner kick fell right to his feet, easing him to slot in and give Germany the first blood.
Then, striker Miroslav Klose got one to double the lead. The fans started losing hope right after the second goal itself. With no mercy, Kroos demanded his brace, and Sami Khedira got his goal. Germany was also up by 5 goals in the first 30 minutes, with 4 goals scored in 7 minutes.
Andre Schurle came in in the second half to get two more goals for Germany and himself. It was 0-7 at this point. In the dying minutes, Oscar got a consolation for Brazil, which hardly seemed like one. 1-7.
A bloodbath in front of their home fans was the last thing they would have had in mind. It was an iconic FIFA match-up.
Argentina Vs. France (2022 World Cup Final), 3-3 (4-2)
Undoubtedly the greatest match not just in the world cup, but in football history. A FIFA classic match. The favorites to win were not decided until the end of the game. Both groups had been at the height of their powers. Messi eyed the trophy, as this was his last try to conquer the football world forever.
A very high-pressing start from the Argentinians put a lot of pressure on France, stopping them from having possession of the ball. The versatile Di Maria gave Dembele a very tough time in the first half, and earned him and his team a penalty. Messi eases it into the net and draws the first blood.
The second goal came from a swift counter attack, which appealed to everyone around the world. Di Maria was on the end of it, and it was 2-0 in the first half.
All of a sudden, in the second half, Mbappe came to life and scored 2 goals out of nowhere. The second goal scared half of the planet to death. His volley was so crisp that it gave Martinez no chance of saving it.
Again, the game went to extra time, and Messi scrambled another goal to give Argentina the lead. But, in the 118th minute, Mbappe stepped up and slotted in the penalty to complete his hat trick.
In the 123rd minute of the game, everyone’s heart stopped for a second when Randal Kolo Muani almost won it for France, but Martinez’s clutch save with his foot saved his team.
The penalty shootout didn’t go as planned for France, and Argentina won their third world cup. Mbappe had the greatest individual performance in world cup history despite losing.
Written By L.A.Adithya
Uruguay Vs. Ghana (2010 World Cup Quarter Final), 1-1 (4-2)
One of the most hateful stories was created after this match. Sulley Muntari gave Ghana the lead in the 45th minute. But the lead didn’t last long when Diego Forlan leveled it up in the 55th minute.
The match was pulled towards extra time when one of the craziest and most controversial incidents happened. Luiz Suarez handled the ball and cleared it off the line, preventing Ghana from winning it in extra time. A straight red was shown to him, and he was off.
A moment of disgrace called the Ghana fans and citizens. All this happened in the 120th minute of the game. The penalty was rocketed by one of the Ghana players, which broke the entire country’s heart. Suarez watched all of this drama unfold from the sidelines.
The penalty shootout also went against Ghana, which gave Uruguay the semi final.
Brazil Vs. Germany (2014 World Cup Semi Final), 7-1
This one can be argumentative, as some people consider this to be the greatest and most dominant performance in world cup history. And boy, was it a slaughter!
The host nation completely fell off the tracks after they lost Neymar in the quarter final. Thomas Mueller started off the scoring when a corner kick fell right to his feet, easing him to slot in and give Germany the first blood.
Then, striker Miroslav Klose got one to double the lead. The fans started losing hope right after the second goal itself. With no mercy, Kroos demanded his brace, and Sami Khedira got his goal. Germany was also up by 5 goals in the first 30 minutes, with 4 goals scored in 7 minutes.
Andre Schurle came in in the second half to get two more goals for Germany and himself. It was 0-7 at this point. In the dying minutes, Oscar got a consolation for Brazil, which hardly seemed like one. 1-7.
A bloodbath in front of their home fans was the last thing they would have had in mind. It was an iconic FIFA match-up.
Argentina Vs. France (2022 World Cup Final), 3-3 (4-2)
Undoubtedly the greatest match not just in the world cup, but in football history. A FIFA classic match. The favorites to win were not decided until the end of the game. Both groups had been at the height of their powers. Messi eyed the trophy, as this was his last try to conquer the football world forever.
A very high-pressing start from the Argentinians put a lot of pressure on France, stopping them from having possession of the ball. The versatile Di Maria gave Dembele a very tough time in the first half, and earned him and his team a penalty. Messi eases it into the net and draws the first blood.
The second goal came from a swift counter attack, which appealed to everyone around the world. Di Maria was on the end of it, and it was 2-0 in the first half.
All of a sudden, in the second half, Mbappe came to life and scored 2 goals out of nowhere. The second goal scared half of the planet to death. His volley was so crisp that it gave Martinez no chance of saving it.
Again, the game went to extra time, and Messi scrambled another goal to give Argentina the lead. But, in the 118th minute, Mbappe stepped up and slotted in the penalty to complete his hat trick.
In the 123rd minute of the game, everyone’s heart stopped for a second when Randal Kolo Muani almost won it for France, but Martinez’s clutch save with his foot saved his team.
The penalty shootout didn’t go as planned for France, and Argentina won their third world cup. Mbappe had the greatest individual performance in world cup history despite losing.
Written By L.A.Adithya
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