Best World Cup Matches: The Timeless Classics

by , 18 October 2022

To get you in the mood for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in the latest instalment of our World Cup blog, we look back at some of the best World Cup matches ever. The timeless classics that fans still talk about today. We’ve reviewed the football archives and selected ten of the greatest World Cup matches.

World Cup Classic Games

Best World Cup Matches Ever

The beautiful game has produced many amazing spectacles throughout the year, and many have taken place at the World Cup, the most significant international football stage. Drama, suspense and goals a plenty feature in our list of greatest World Cup matches. So join us as we take you on a journey down football’s memory lane.

World Cup Famous Matches: Italy Vs Germany, 1970

One of the games of the century starts our list of World Cup famous matches. It was between Italy and the stubborn Germans. A game played in the scorching Mexico sun, the two teams played one of the most open and attacking games ever in the World Cup.

Five goals were scored in normal time, and two more extra-time, which saw the Azzurri’s beat their rivals 4 – 3 to proceed to the finals. With an electric atmosphere with about 102,000 fans in attendance, Germany was more driven for success after the 1966 disappointment in which England beat them in extra time.

Italy opened the scoring in the eight-minute Roberto Boninsegna dispatching a half volley from sixteen meters. Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller fought back in cavalier style and raided the Italians immensely, but it was Karl Heinz Schnellinger with the equalising goal in injury time. When Muller finally found the net, the Germans looked set for victory, but Tarcisio Burgnich header put Italy level from a free kick, and Luigi Riva made it 3 – 2.

Muller levelled the score again, but Gianni Rivera scored with eight minutes to go for a 4 – 3 victory after two hours of football.

World Cup Famous Matches: Ghana Vs Uruguay, 2010

Not all fairy tales have a beautiful ending, as Ghana found the hard way in the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa hosted this edition of the games and saw only one African nation qualify for the knockout phase, which meant the entire continent would be rooting for Ghana.

The Black Stars were fielding their golden team, probably the best African team ever to feature in the World Cup, with the main man Asamoah Gyan leading the line.

A 2 – 1 victory against the USA in the round of sixteen set them up for a quarter-final battle against two-time winners Uruguay.

Ghana dominated the game, charging for the winning goal had a sure goal stopped on the line by Luis Suarez’s mischievous handball. However, Gyan, who had been impressive throughout the tournament, skied the penalty to break an entire continent’s heart.

Even worse, they lost the penalty shoot-out to end Africa’s hope of reaching the final four for the first time.

World Cup Famous Matches: Brazil Vs Uruguay, 1950

In 1950, the World Cup had a different format than the one we see today. After the group stage, there was a second group stage where whoever would top would be the tournament’s eventual winner.

Brazil and Uruguay have been two of the greatest teams in the tournament, with seven titles between the two sides; thus, their rivalry has been ancestral.

In the 1950 edition of the games, Brazil was on course to victory, only needing a draw in their game against Uruguay after beating Spain 6 – 1 and Sweden 7 – 1. Furthermore, Brazil was the host, and given the two countries’ proximity, Uruguayan fans came in numbers to record the biggest crowd ever in a World Cup game with about 200,000 fans.

Uruguay came from a goal down in the final twenty-five minutes to triumph 2 – 1 at the Maracanã Stadium to break the hearts of the Brazilians. Not surprisingly, Uruguay fans fondly remember this match as one of the best World Cup matches ever.

World Cup Famous Matches: England Vs West Germany, 1966

The Three Lions have won the World Cup just once in their nation’s history.

The 1966 edition, where England hosted the eighth World Cup, was the stage for the thrilling final between the host nation and one of the favourites, West Germany.

After normal time, the score was 2 – 2, but England scored twice in extra time to secure the trophy. One of the game’s most iconic moments was Geoff Hurst’s ‘phantom Goal’, which was talked about for decades.

The ball appeared to have not crossed the line, and if the goal line technology or the VAR had been used, it perhaps would have been ruled out. However, this depends on who you ask. Speak to an Englishman, and the ball was over the line, a German, and they maintain to this day that they feel cheated. However, Sky Sports believe they have finally put the question to bed with technology; what do you think?

It was undoubtedly one of the best World Cup games ever for Geoff Hurst. His three goals earnt him the match ball, becoming the only player who managed such a feat in a World Cup final.

World Cup Famous Matches: France Vs Croatia, 2018

The most recent edition of the finals played in Russia was a classic, thrilling encounter with six goals. France was the favourites throughout the competition with a strong squad, and youngster Kylian Mbappe was on blazing form coming into the tournament. Croatia was the darling of the tournament, having beaten all odds throughout the competition to book a place in the finals.

Luka Modric was the team’s star, a short man with magic in his feet who had won the hearts of many. Croatia conceded first but undid their wrongs with a thunderbolt shot by Ivan Perisic. The induction of the VAR technology in this tournament was a highlight, as Antoine Griezmann scored from the spot from a VAR-awarded penalty.

Paul Pogba and the young player of the tournament, Mbappe, made it four before Mandzukic drew one back to 4 – 2. The final was a whole three-course meal with drama, excitement, passion and a glut of goals making it one of the greatest World Cup matches.

World Cup Famous Matches: South Africa Vs Mexico, 2010

The opening game of the 2010 World Cup was a spectacle to behold. The competition was held in the African continent for the first time, and the nation was delighted to showcase its culture and tradition in art and sport.

The fans understood the assignment with glamourous outfits and colours, and iconic Vuvuzela was a substantial significant artefact enhancing the magnificence of football on the pitch.

South Africa didn’t qualify from the group, but the opening and the most anticipated game against Mexico was a spectacle. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal in the fifty-fifth minute, followed by an iconic celebration.

Still, the nation’s joy was cut short in the seventy-ninth minute when Rafael Marquez equalised to end the game 1 – 1. Nevertheless, the atmosphere, celebration, the fans, and the game were a spectacle that symbolised how football brings people together.

Personally, we think the Vuvuzela should stay consigned to history as it was annoying as hell, but you can never please everybody!

World Cup Famous Matches: Italy Vs Germany, 2006

The World Cup 2006 had an epic semi-final between two of the greatest sides in the competition. Germany was among the favourites but was against a solid and experienced Italian side that, regardless of the personalities in the team, was still regarded as favourites.

The game was intense with the scores level, and it had to go to the 119th minute for Italy to find the breakthrough. The goal came from the most inexperienced player in the Italian team Fabio Grosso who played in left back with emotions running high in the manner the Palermo man celebrated.

Italy scored a second, Alessandro Del Piero, from a counter-attack when the entire German team had thrown all bodies forward to try to force a miraculous equaliser in additional time. It was such an exciting final. You didn’t even need to be human to enjoy it!

The Azzurri went ahead to win the tournament against all odds beating France in the finals through penalties after a 1 – 1 stalemate.

World Cup Famous Matches: France Vs West Germany, 1982

In a World Cup, winning the trophy is not the only spectacle; some games in the knockout phase are much more enticing than even the final.

The 1982 edition of the World Cup games saw an exciting semi-final clash between West Germany and France.

One of the most challenging games, with hard tackles flowing all over, saw French star Patrick Battisson leave the pitch unconscious with cracked ribs and two teeth missing. Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher was the culprit in the tackle and was lucky not to be sent off after the mischievous tackle.

The scores were level 1 – 1 in normal time, with the goals coming early in the first half. Extra time did not disappoint, as we saw four goals scored. France’s scored two quick extra-time goals through Marius Tresor and Alain Giresse. However, it felt like Germany was done and dusted till substitute Kal-Heinz Rummenigge, and Klaus Fischer levelled the game to 3 – 3 to send it to penalties.

West Germany won the penalties but lost the finals to Italy.

World Cup Famous Matches: The First Women’s Football World Cup Final

The first ever Women’s Football World Cup Final took place on 30th November 1991, at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China. USA faced Norway in the final, winning the inaugural Women’s Football World Cup 2-1, with Michelle Akers-Stahl scoring both goals. USA have won the tournament 4 times since 1991, and will face stiff competition from England who won the Women’s European Championships in 2022 with a dramatic 2-1 over Germany.

World Cup Famous Matches: Brazil Vs Germany, 2002

The 2002 World Cup final was one of the most animated games ever. Brazil was at the peak of its power with iconic names and figures such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Cafu. They were not just good football players but prominent personalities who commanded the pitch.

They were set to play Germany in the finals, with inspirational goalkeeper Oliver Kahn handling the post. The build-up to the game was intense, with one of the best goalkeepers in the World set to play against one of the best attackers in the World.

Brazil was superior on the field, and amazingly it’s hard to see such a dominant team thumping their opponents 2 – 0 to clinch the trophy. Ronaldo scored both goals to outsmart Kahn, but it ended up being one of the tensest and nervy games in the World Cup.

World Cup Famous Matches: England Vs Argentina, 1998

Argentina and England’s rivalry has been brewing for many decades.

The chaos, drama and a penalty shoot-out at Saint Etienne were the highlights the fans enjoyed in the match between England and Argentina.

In England’s World Cup winning quest of 1966, England beat Argentina 1 – 0 in the quarter-final at Wembley, which was named ‘the theft of the century’ by the Argentinian press.

Twenty years later, the hostility between the two increased after the Falklands War.

On the football pitch, tensions were also boiling after Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of god’ goal, and a stunning solo strike enabled them to triumph 2 – 1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 edition.

To rub salt into the wounds, Argentina went ahead to win the tournament.

Fast forward to 1998, The Three Lions were ranked fifth in the World, and Argentina was sixth and both were among the favourites. The game was action-packed, with a disallowed goal, a sending-off, and a goal-saving tackle, and it was already 2 – 2 by halftime.

However, David Beckham received his marching orders in the forty-seventh minute to reduce one skilled penalty taker from the England squad and ended up losing 4 – 3 in the shoutout.

Fans of Argentina consider this match as one of the best World Cup games ever, along with their 1986 triumph over the Three Lions. England fans will have thoughts of “what could have been”. However, at least they have this beauty from Micheal Owen to remember.

This year’s tournament starts on November 21, 2022 and don’t forget you can find out all you need to know about World Cup betting on our dedicated page. Join us once the tournament starts for betting tips and match previews.

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