In the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona scored one of the most controversial goals in football history. In the 51st minute of the game, Maradona punched the ball into the net with his left hand, fooling the referee and giving Argentina the lead. He later famously described the goal as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." This illicit goal became known as "The Hand of God" and remains a contentious topic among football fans to this day.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup final between France and Brazil saw French midfielder Zinedine Zidane deliver an extraordinary performance. In the 27th minute, Zidane rose above the Brazilian defense and effortlessly headed the ball into the back of the net, giving France the lead. He then scored another goal in the 45th minute with a perfectly executed penalty kick. Zidane's exceptional display of skill, technique, and composure earned him widespread acclaim, and he played a crucial role in France's triumphant World Cup victory.
In the 1954 FIFA World Cup final, West Germany faced Hungary, who were considered the favorites. Hungary took an early 2-0 lead within the first eight minutes of the game. However, West Germany made a stunning comeback, scoring three goals to secure a 3-2 victory. This unexpected triumph, known as "The Miracle of Bern," marked West Germany's first-ever World Cup title and remains one of the most remarkable moments in football history.
Spain's national team, led by their golden generation of players, achieved unprecedented success in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In a display of tactical brilliance and technical prowess, Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the final. The only goal of the match came in the 116th minute from Andres Iniesta, securing Spain's first-ever World Cup victory. This triumph marked the pinnacle of Spain's dominance in world football and cemented their status as one of the greatest international teams of all time.
In the 1970 FIFA World Cup group stage match between England and Brazil, Brazilian legend Pele unleashed a powerful header from close range that seemed destined for the back of the net. However, English goalkeeper Gordon Banks miraculously managed to save the shot, diving to his right and using his fingertips to push the ball over the crossbar. This incredible save by Banks is often referred to as "The Save of the Century" and is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeeping moments in World Cup history.
