The Most Memorable World Cup Finals

It is extremely difficult to pick five of the best World Cup finals out of many. But for some, there were such extraordinary events that they stand out.

5. Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)

That final only made it into this ranking because of Pele. No matter how many goals he scored, it is here specifically for one reason: Brazil’s World Cup victory in 1970 made Pele the only three-time World Cup gold medallist (1958, 1962, 1970).

The internet has a lot of comprehensive reviews of that final, which you can check anytime, the same as for the tips at for download Dafabet APK for Android any next big tournament.

Italy 1-1 France, 5-3 on penalties (2006)

It was not the most spectacular final match in terms of the game itself. But the episode involving Zidane and Materazzi was the highlight of that game, eclipsing Fabio Grosso’s winning shot.

Zidane’s ingenious penalty goal had already put France ahead at the start of the match. Despite conceding an early goal, the Italians continued to press Pirlo, and after another corner from Maestro Materazzi, equalized the score. The goal scorers came to the fore a little later but were already in extra time.

After another provocation from Materazzi, Zidane did what he did. It seemed absurd. Zizou had an outstanding tournament and final match, and he left just as spectacular.

Brazil 0-3 France (1998)

The French team had never reached the World Cup final before 1998. But here it was, a home tournament and a final against Brazil.

Before the game, reports began to emerge that Ronaldo would not play in the final. The media reported that the striker suffered an epilepsy attack shortly before kick-off. Later, doctors stated that the initial diagnosis was incorrect based on medical history and eyewitness accounts: Ronaldo had suffered a heart attack.

The manager even ruled the forward out of the match booking: his name was not on the original entry form. However, a couple of hours after the incident, he was back in the starting line-up, but as a shadow of his former self.

Zidane’s two first-half goals nailed down Brazil’s hopes of a golden double in the World Cup finals (Brazil were the reigning World Champions as they beat Italy in 1994 final). Petit’s late goal sealed the end of that match.

It is still not entirely known what happened to Ronaldo before the final.

Germany 0-2 Brazil (2002)

In the last World Cup final, Brazil suffered a resounding 3-0 defeat to France. 1998 final was momentarily overshadowed by reports that Ronaldo had a heart problem on match day. The Brazilians were not fully recovered, and psychologically the incident affected the players and coaching staff.

But the 2002 final gave Ronaldo and the team a chance to put things right. The striker scored a double in the second half to restore Brazil’s status as World Champions.

England 4-2 Germany (1966)

Obvious choice. England. Wembley. Final.

With 90 minutes gone, the score was 2-2, and the game went into extra time. In the 11th minute of extra-time, Geoff Hurst took a ball in the German penalty area with the next touch shot on goal: the ball hit the ground off the crossbar and flew into the field.

The Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst and the Azerbaijani side referee Tofiq Bahramov began to discuss in football language (actively gesturing).

The Soviet ref pointed to the centre of the pitch: there was a goal! Then in the 120th minute, Hurst kicks the ball into the near-net for Germany. He scored a hat-trick in that match: the only hat-trick in the history of the World Cup finals.

5. Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)

Italy 1-1 France, 5-3 on penalties (2006)

Brazil 0-3 France (1998)

Germany 0-2 Brazil (2002)

England 4-2 Germany (1966)

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