The Top World Cup Memorable Moments

West Germany vs Hungary 3-2, 1954 finals

In 1954, Hungary were the favourites to beat the Germans in the final. They had a golden generation of players who had already beaten the Germans 8-3 in the group stage. The Germans went behind 2-0 after just eight minutes of play, but they scored in the 10th minute to try and push the Hungarians back. Helmut Rahn equalised in the 18th minute after which both teams struggled to score. In the 84th minute Helmut Rahn feinted a pass to centre forward Ottmar Walter, and it took all of the Hungarian defenders out of his way, he moved forward and then produced a low driven shot that went past the Hungarian goalkeeper. This goal was celebrated by the Germans, but it was seen as one of the greatest upsets in the finals.

Brazil vs Sweden 5-2, 1958 finals

At the age of 17, Pele captured the imagination of the entire football world when he led Brazil to their first World Cup title. He performed exceptionally well throughout the competition, but in the finals he made an even bigger impact. Brazil was winning the game after the first half 2-1, and then in the second half, after ten minutes, Pele scored a world class goal. He chipped the ball over a defender, and caught it in the penalty area, before he kicked the ball into the net, stunning all of the spectators in the stadium. Both teams netted one more goal, before Pele closed the scoring with a 90th minute goal.

England vs West Germany 4-2, 1966 finals

This was one of the most exciting finals to watch, as both teams struggled in a back and forth match. The Germans broke the scoring after the 12th minute, and then the English equalised in the 18th minute, and then went ahead in the 78th minute. The Germans equalised again and the game finished a draw in regular time. In the following first half of extra time, Geoff Hurst, who had already scored one of England's goals, received the ball with his back facing the goal, and swivelled round to hit the ball towards the goal. The ball hit the post, bounced down on the white line, and then bounced out. The English player's immediately started celebrating, whilst the Germans started protesting that the ball did not cross the line. In the end, the goal was given, and it was just enough to exhaust the Germans. In the last minute of play, Hurst received the ball in the area again, and he scored another goal, sealing a historic hat trick. In modern times, scientists have assessed the video footage and calculated the curve of the ball, and said that officially only 97% of the ball crossed the line.

Brazil vs Italy 4-1, 1970 finals

This final promised to be an evenly matched game between two of the best teams in the world, but it ended up with the Brazilian team humiliating Italy. After Pele opened the scoring, the Italians equalised before the first half finished. In the second half, the Brazilians scored two more goals, but the final goal of the match was truly spectacular. The Brazilians were using all of the wide areas of the field, and in the 85th minute, Pele passed the ball down the right wing of the pitch. Right back Carlos Alberto picked the ball up in space, and he charged forwards before he shot a bomb of a goal from the right side.

Argentina vs England 2-1, 1986, quarterfinals

This game promised to be one of the best matches in the competition, between a strong English and Argentinian side. Diego Maradon scored both of Argentina's goals, with one of them being described as the best goal in World Cup history, and the other being one of the most infamous goals of the competition. His first goal was scored six minutes into the second half, when Maradona rushed towards a ball that the English goalkeeper was going to catch, and he punched it above the keeper, landing in the goal. The referees did not notice the handball offence, and the goal was given. His second goal showed off his technical abilities, when he picked the ball up from his own side and dribbled past multiple English players to score a world class goal.

Cameroon vs Russia 1-6, 1994, group stage

This game will be remembered for two major records that both teams broke. Russian forward Oleg Salenko scored 5 goals, the highest number of goals scored by any player in a single World Cup match, and Cameroonian forward Roger Milla set the record for the oldest player to score in the World Cup, at the age of 42. The game was full of attacks from both teams, Milla's effort was very good as he fought off the Russian defenders to hold onto the ball and then make his shot. Salenko's last goal was also a great effort, as he received a long ball on the side, and from a difficult angle he shot the ball with such power that the keeper could not stop it.

Netherlands vs Argentina 2-1, 1998 quarterfinals

The iceman, as Dennis Bergkamp was called because of his calmness, scored one of the World Cup’s best ever goals in the 1998 quarterfinal against Argentina. He caught a pass from Frank de Boer and with a second touch he turned the ball on the inside of the Argentinian player. He opened the space behind the defender, and with a third touch, he put the goal in the back of the net. The whole move took less than three seconds and took everyone by surprise, as it was such a clean skilful move.