Iconic FIFA World Cup moments

The 21st FIFA World Cup marks almost 90 years of triumph and tragedy, heroes and villians, stunning goals and impossible saves, creating a showpiece to entertain the world over

1930 First World Champions Uruguay 4 Argentina 2
Inaugural tournament, Lucien Laurent scores first goal in World Cup history for France. Uruguay beat Argentina in final to claim trophy from Jules Rimet (right)

1950 Maracana Blow Uruguay 2 Brazil 1                      
Possibly biggest upset in World Cup final. Uruguay beat home favourites Brazil,
Alcides Ghaggia striking winning goal in front of 200,000 stunned Brazilians 

1958 Birth of a Legend Brazil 2 Soviet Union 0
World Cup debut for 17-year-old Pele (right), assisting Vava’s second goal – before becoming youngest player to play in World Cup final as Brazil defeat Sweden

1966 They Think It’s All Over England 4 West Germany 2
Iconic moment in English culture, Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick – the first and only in a World Cup final – seals dramatic extra time victory over bitter rivals, Germany

1974 Cruyff Turn Netherlands 0 Sweden 0
Famous piece of trickery by Johan Cruyff. The Dutch master feints to cross ball,
before turning through 180 degrees, and swerving past helpless Swedish defender

1986 Divine Inspiration Argentina 2 England 1
Diego Maradona scores infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal after jumping to knock ball past Peter Shilton with left hand in quarter-final clash with England

1990 Opera meets Football
Italy hosts World Cup forever associated with Luciano Pavarotti’s (left) storming performance of classic Nessun Dorma aria, now an anthem for modern game

2006 Zidane’s Final Whistle Italy 1 France 1 (Penalties 5-3)
Zinedine Zidane (left) becomes fourth player dismissed in World Cup final after red card for head-butting Marco Materazzi in chest – French captain’s last act on pitch

2014 German Masters Germany 7 Brazil 1
Germany claim record-breaking semi-final victory over Brazil to equal host nation’s biggest ever defeat since 6-0 loss to Uruguay in 1920 Copa America – Miroslav Klose sets new World Cup goals record with 16th strike

2018 All Eyes East
Russia hosts FIFA World Cup for first time as reigning champions Germany aim to equal Brazil’s all-time record by winning fifth title


Source: FIFA Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS