Greatest FIFA World Cup Moments
The FIFA World Cup is the most long-awaited and exciting championship. Millions of people are watching it and rooting for their favorite footballer. The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930. Since then, this championship has never been surpassed. We can see dozens of brilliant moments and unexpected outcomes every year. But which of them had stayed in people’s hearts forever? In this article, we’ll explore the greatest moments at the FIFA World Cup and discuss them thoroughly! So, if you haven’t seen this tournament before, be ready to document all these moments in your memory!
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Diego Maradona’s Handball Goal Against England in 1986
This goal is considered the most controversial in the FIFA World Cup history, and here’s why! Maradona punched a ball into the net and thus scored a goal. The thing is that this moment was left unnoticed by the referee. It all happened during the quarterfinals between Argentina and England. After this shot, Maradona was called the “Hand of God.” Moreover, despite the controversy surrounding this goal, he later, in the same match, cemented his success by scoring a solo goal. That year, Argentina won the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina’s Second Goal Against England in 1986
Another of Maradona’s greatest achievements was the second goal against England in 1986. Football critics worldwide talk about this goal as a masterpiece of skill and audacity. In the same quarterfinals, Maradona picked the ball from the half of the field and weaved it through the 5 English defenders. He showed his mastery, high speed, and close control and shot the ball softly. This goal has also gained its name and is known in history as the “Goal of the Century. ” By showcasing his unparalleled talent, Maradona scored the most celebrated goal, which played a crucial role in Argentina’s triumph.
West Germany’s Comeback Against Hungary in the 1954 Final
The Miracle of the Bern – was Germany’s goal over Hungary in 1954. This goal gifted hope for the bright future of post-war Germany. No one still knows how Germany, which was in decline, could score a goal against the strong and favored Hungary. Hungary, with their legendary Ferenc Puskás, was unbeaten for over 4 years and normally won the game within the first 8 minutes. However, Max Morlock and Helmut Rahn changed this and scored a winning goal in the 84th minute. Therefore, Germany won against Hungary with a score of 3-2 in 1954. This moment defined the hope and determination of Germany and became the first impetus to the country’s greatness!
Pele Hat Trick in the 1958 Final Against Sweden
The debut of the young Pele won’t stay unnoticed. In 1958, 18-year-old Pele announced himself in the large tournament. He showed a brilliant performance over the host country, Sweden, by scoring 2 goals. Thanks to Pele, Brazil was named the FIFA World Cup winner for the first time! His first goal remains one of the greatest goals in football history. Pele flicked over a defender and hit the ball in the net with a special accuracy. The second goal showed Pele as a versatile and unique player!
France Defeated Brazil in the 1998 Final
The other of the most memorable FIFA World Cups is the 1998 Final between Brazil and France. This year, FIFA was also remembered as the year without the key star of the Brazil team – Ronaldo. Due to a mysterious health scare, he was out of form to appear in the World Cup. Perhaps it was the key element for the French victory. France’s captain, Zinedine Zidane, scored 2 headers in the first half of the game. Then, Emmanuel Petit hit the third goal, making France the winner of the World Cup in 1998. This way, the Ronaldo injury reluctantly made Zidane the global football icon.
Spain Wins First World Cup in 2010
In 2010, Spain gained a dramatic victory over the strong team of the Netherlands. That match was the final leg of the World Cup and was held in Johannesburg, Africa. Despite the skilled opponents’ team, Spain fought with dignity in that tense game. Both teams missed their key chances and went for extra time. This way, Spain, with the help of brilliant attacker Andrés Iniesta, scored a goal, driving a low shot to the net. It was a culminating moment for Spanish football because, after that goal, Spain gained dominance over the football world.
Brazil Defeated by Germany in 2014 Semifinal
The most humiliating moment for the Brazilian team happened in 2014. Germany scored 5 goals in the first 29 minutes tremendously. This victory was a true shock for the Brazilian fans. Germany won against Brazil with a score of 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.
2014 became a heartbreaking year for the whole of Brazil because it symbolized the collapse of their homeland fame. For Germany, that year became the symbol of their success.
Chile and Italy Face Off in 1962 Group Stage
The game between Chile and Italy was the most violent in World Cup history. This game was named “Battle of Santiago” and was marked by ugly punches and police intervention. Chile won this match with a score of 2-0, and 2 Italian players were sent off. Despite the importance of this game for history, a match between these two countries was known for its brutality and disrespectful moves.
Cameroon Advances to Quarterfinals in 1990
The African team reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 1930. This was a huge breakthrough for the African team and the fans. Roger Milla, a striker of Cameroon, won a group stage with a score of 1-0 and, therefore, became a tournament sensation. Milla’s success and brilliant performance were celebrated all across the world. Unfortunately, Cameroon lost 3-2 to England later, but their fearless and noble game inspired a new era for African football.
Uruguay Wins the First World Cup in 1930
Let’s touch on the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay. That year, the hosting nation won and cemented its place in international football. In the final of FIFA, Uruguay faced the strong Argentina team in front of a 93,000 crowd. In the second half, they scored 3 goals and won the championship with a score of 4-2 over Argentina. This brave African victory laid the foundation for the prestigious World Cup tournament!
Conclusion
For its entire time of existence, the FIFA World Cup has provided countless moments and extraordinary triumphs that no one will ever forget. This tournament became a trampoline for dozens of teams and players. However, only some of them were lucky enough to leave an indelible mark in the history of the tournament!
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