The FIFA World Cup has never failed to thrill football fans across the world. The 20 previous editions of the tournament has given us several memorable moments. Here is a look at some of them:
1938: Leônidas left out
The Brazil team captured the imagination of the world with their attacking football in the third edition of the World Cup in France. Their 6-5 extra-time victory over Poland in the first round is one of the most memorable games in World Cup history. The star of the tournament was Brazilian forward Leônidas, who was dubbed “Black Diamond” and “Rubber Man” (he was the pioneer of the bicycle kick). He finished the tournament as the leading scorer, with seven goals from four games. But, shockingly, he was left out of the semifinal against Italy, in order to 'keep him fresh' for the final. Unfortunately, Brazil lost the semifinal to Italy, who went on to win their second consecutive World Cup.
Brazilian striker Leônidas | Pinterest
1958: Pele's perfect finish
The “player of the century” arrived on the world stage in style despite having come to Sweden with a knee injury. The 17-year-old scored six goals in the four matches that he played, including a hat-trick against France. But the crowing moment came in the 55th minute of the final against the hosts. After controlling a lobbed pass from the left on his chest, Pele lifted the ball over an advancing defender and then volleyed it home, low to the keeper's right. The goal put Brazil 3-1 up and they went on to win the match 5-2 to lift their maiden World Cup.
1966: That Hurst goal
The World Cup came to England, the country where football originated. In the final, the home team played 1954 champions West Germany. In the 101st minute of the game, England forward Geoff Hurst, for no fault of his own, produced one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. After retrieving a cross that was behind him with an excellent first touch, Hurst smashed one towards the goal. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced down. England claimed a goal while the Germans said the ball had not fully crossed the line. The referee, in consultation, with the linesman gave the goal. Hurst scored his third goal of the game in the 120th minute and England beat Germany 4-2 to win their first and, to date, only World Cup.
1970: Bank on Banks
World champions England were playing two-time winners Brazil in a first-round match of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. When Pele met Jairzinho's cross from the right-wing with a powerful dipping header, it looked a certain goal. But England goalkeeper Gordon Banks reacted sharply to dive to his side and get a hand on the ball, that was almost behind him, and direct it over the crossbar. It came to be known as the 'save of the century'. Whether that title is deserved or not is up for debate. But it was certainly one of the most iconic moments of the tournament.
1982: Tardelli's celebration
Italy came to Spain still reeling from the Serie A match-fixing scandal that broke two years ago. But they put it well behind them with their performance in the World Cup. Inspired by Paolo Rossi, who was returning from a two-year suspension in connection with the scandal, they beat reigning champions Argentina and three-time champions and title favourites Brazil. The Azzurri then beat two-time champions West Germany 3-1 in the final to lift their third FIFA World Cup. Rossi won the Golden Boot (six goals) and the Golden Ball. The joy of the Italians was, perhaps, best expressed by midfielder Marco Tardelli. After putting Italy 2-0 ahead in the 69th minute of the final, Tardelli ran towards his dugout, screaming, fists clenched in front of him, tears in his eyes. It was one of the enduring images of that World Cup.
1986: The Maradona show
Four minutes after his infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarterfinals in Mexico, Diego Armando Maradona scored the “Goal of the Century”. In the immortal words of British broadcaster Bryon Butler: “Maradona, turns like a little eel and comes away from trouble, little squat man, comes inside Butcher, leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick, leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away.... He buried the English defence... it's a goal of great quality by a player of the greatest quality.” Filling in what Butler couldn't say: Maradona received the ball in his own half, then ran about 60 yards in 10 seconds while dribbling past four English players and the goalkeeper to score into an open net.
Argentina beat Belgium in the semifinal by two Maradona goals and inched past West Germany 3-2 to win their second World Cup. Maradona finished with five goals and won the Golden Ball.
1994: The hero's heartbreak
Italy came to the USA with a mission. They had finished third in the previous edition and were determined to win an unprecedented fourth World Cup. They started poorly, but managed to scrape through to the knockout stages. But then their superstar shined through. Roberto Baggio, the darling of Italian football, scored two against Nigeria as Italy won 2-1 in the Round of 16. He then scored the winner against Spain (2-1) and put two past Hristo Stoichkov's Bulgaria in the semifinal (2-1). In the final, Italy faced the only other team to have won three World Cups—Brazil. The two titans played out a goalless draw and in the shootout, Baggio missed the decisive penalty. As the Brazilians celebrated wildly, one of the greatest players in the world, stood with his head bent, in shocked disbelief.
2002: Falling leaf or fluke?
In the late 1950s, Didi, one of Brazil's all-time greats, perfected the falling leaf kick. It meant striking the ball in such a way that it would go high at first, but then dip down sharply. When Ronaldinho scored Brazil's winner from a freekick against England in the quarterfinals in Korea-Japan, comparisons were made with the famous technique. But there have also been debates ever since whether the strike from about 35 yards out was brilliance or luck. The England players called it a fluke. Ronaldinho himself insisted that it was a shot, but later admitted that he was aiming for the other side of the goal. “The fact that it did not go in exactly as I planned is secondary to the fact that I was having a go,” he said. In any case, it was definitely a memorable goal, unless you are an England fan, of course.
2006: Zidane's headbutt
Zinedine Zidane returned from retirement to help France qualify for 2006 World Cup in Germany. Much like Baggio in 1994, he single-handedly dragged his team to the final. And like Baggio, it was going to be a sad ending. In 1998, Zidane had scored with two thunderous headers to win the World Cup for France at home against Brazil. In the 2006 final against Italy, he sent a brilliant header towards the goal in the 104th minute. The teams were level at 1-1 and it took a stunning save from Gianluigi Buffon to keep it that way. Six minutes later, Zidane used his head again, but on Italian defender Marco Materazzi's chest. He was sent off and France lost the shootout to Italy. Despite getting a red card in the final, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball.
2010: Hand of God 2.0
The FIFA World Cup in South Africa saw six African teams competing against the best teams from the rest of the world for glory on home soil. Only Ghana survived the group stage. They put on an inspiring display to beat the USA 2-1 in the Round of 16. By the time they took the field against Uruguay in the quarterfinals, they were the most beloved team in the tournament. An absolute joy to watch and almost everyone's 'second team', Ghana were aiming to be the first ever African team to reach the semifinal of a FIFA World Cup. But it was not to be. Ghana stood toe-to-toe with a strong Uruguayan side and the match went into extra time as the teams stood level at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Late in extra time, Luis Suarez blocked a goal-bound header with his hands. He got a red card, but Ghana missed the resultant penalty and went on to lose in the shootout.