The 10 Most Legendary World Cup Finals

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17 Jan 2024

Hello BURB readeers, today I am going to write about the 10 Most Legendary World Cup Finals.

The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious and popular tournament in football, attracting millions of fans and viewers from all over the world. Every four years, 32 teams compete for the ultimate glory of lifting the coveted trophy and being crowned the champions of the world. The World Cup final is the climax of the tournament, where the two best teams face each other in a thrilling and nerve-wracking match that often decides the fate of nations and generations. Here are the 10 most legendary World Cup finals in history, ranked by their drama, significance, and quality.

10. Brazil vs Italy, 1970

The 1970 World Cup final in Mexico was a clash of titans, as the two most successful teams in the history of the tournament met for the first time. Brazil, led by the legendary Pele, were aiming for their third title, while Italy, with their defensive prowess and tactical discipline, were looking for their second. The match was a showcase of sublime skills, creativity, and flair, as Brazil dominated the game with their dazzling attack and scored four goals, including a stunning team effort that is widely regarded as one of the best goals ever. Italy managed to score one goal, but it was not enough to stop Brazil from becoming the first team to win three World Cups and claim the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.

9. Uruguay vs Brazil, 1950

The 1950 World Cup final was not a final in the conventional sense, but rather the last match of a final round-robin group that also included Sweden and Spain. Brazil, the hosts, only needed a draw against Uruguay to win their first World Cup, while Uruguay had to win to snatch the title. The match was played at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, in front of a record crowd of nearly 200,000 people, who expected a Brazilian victory. Brazil took the lead in the second half, but Uruguay equalized and then scored a shocking winner in the 79th minute, silencing the stadium and stunning the nation. The match is known as the Maracanazo, or the Maracana blow, and is considered one of the biggest upsets in football history.

8. France vs Brazil, 1998

he 1998 World Cup final in France was a highly anticipated match, as the hosts faced the defending champions and favorites, Brazil. The match was overshadowed by the mystery surrounding the health of Brazil’s star player, Ronaldo, who was initially left out of the starting lineup, then reinstated at the last minute, but looked pale and ineffective throughout the game. France, on the other hand, were inspired by their captain and playmaker, Zinedine Zidane, who scored two headers from corner kicks in the first half, giving France a comfortable lead. Brazil tried to fight back in the second half, but France sealed the victory with a third goal by Emmanuel Petit in injury time, sparking wild celebrations across the country and giving France their first World Cup title.

7. England vs West Germany, 1966

The 1966 World Cup final in England was a tense and controversial affair, as the hosts faced West Germany, who had eliminated the holders, Brazil, in the group stage. The match was evenly balanced, as both teams scored twice in the 90 minutes, forcing extra time. In the 101st minute, England’s Geoff Hurst scored a goal that has been debated ever since, as the ball hit the crossbar and bounced on or over the line, depending on the angle. The referee, after consulting his linesman, awarded the goal, giving England a 3-2 lead. West Germany protested, but to no avail. Hurst then scored again in the final minute, completing a hat-trick and securing a 4-2 win for England, who became the first and only host nation to win the World Cup on their own soil.

6. Argentina vs West Germany, 1986

The 1986 World Cup fin al in Mexico was a rematch of the 1982 final, where West Germany had beaten Argentina 3-1. This time, however, Argentina had a secret weapon: Diego Maradona, who had single-handedly carried his team to the final, scoring five goals and providing five assists, including the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the sensational “Goal of the Century” against England in the quarter-finals. The final was a tight and tactical battle, as Argentina took the lead in the first half, but West Germany equalized in the second half. The match seemed headed for extra time, but in the 83rd minute, Maradona produced a brilliant pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who scored the winning goal, giving Argentina their second World Cup title and cementing Maradona’s legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

5. Brazil vs Germany, 2002

The 2002 World Cup final in Japan was a clash of styles, as the attacking and flamboyant Brazil faced the efficient and disciplined Germany. Both teams had overcome adversity to reach the final, as Brazil had recovered from a poor qualifying campaign and a shaky start to the tournament, while Germany had defied expectations and critics with their solid performances. The match was decided by the brilliance of Brazil’s Ronaldo, who scored two goals in the second half, breaking the deadlock and the German resistance. Ronaldo finished the tournament as the top scorer with eight goals, and also erased the memories of his disappointing performance in the 1998 final, where he had suffered a seizure before the game. Brazil won their fifth World Cup, becoming the first team to win the trophy on three different continents.

4. Italy vs France, 2006

The 2006 World Cup final in Germany was a dramatic and emotional roller-coaster, as Italy faced France, who had eliminated the favorites, Brazil, in the semi-finals. The match started with a bang, as France’s Zidane scored a penalty in the seventh minute, but Italy’s Marco Materazzi equalized with a header in the 19th minute. The match then became a tense and physical battle, as both teams had chances to score, but failed to do so. The match reached extra time, and in the 110th minute, a shocking incident occurred, as Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest, after the latter had allegedly insulted him. Zidane was sent off, leaving France with 10 men and without their captain and talisman. The match went to penalties, and Italy prevailed 5-3, winning their fourth World Cup and avenging their defeat to France in the 2000 European Championship final.

3. West Germany vs Netherlands, 1974

The 1974 World Cup final in West Germany was a clash of ideologies, as the hosts faced the Netherlands, who had revolutionized the game with their “Total Football” philosophy, where players could switch positions and roles fluidly and creatively. The Netherlands, led by the charismatic Johan Cruyff, were the favorites and the darlings of the neutrals, while West Germany, led by the pragmatic Franz Beckenbauer, were the underdogs and the villains. The match started with a shock, as the Netherlands scored a penalty in the second minute, without West Germany touching the ball. However, West Germany recovered and equalized with a penalty of their own in the 25th minute, then took the lead in the 43rd minute, with a goal by Gerd Muller. The second half was a tense and tactical affair, as West Germany defended their lead and frustrated the Netherlands, who could not find a way through. West Germany won 2-1, becoming the first team to win the European Championship and the World Cup consecutively, and denying the Netherlands their first and only World Cup title.

2. Germany vs Argentina, 2014

The 2014 World Cup final in Brazil was a classic encounter, as Germany faced Argentina, who had reached the final thanks to the heroics of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best player in the world. The match was a tight and cagey affair, as both teams canceled each other out and created few clear chances. The match went to extra time, and in the 113th minute, a moment of magic decided the outcome, as Germany’s Mario Gotze chested down a cross from Andre Schurrle and volleyed the ball past Sergio Romero, scoring one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history. Germany held on to their lead and won 1-0, becoming the first European team to win the World Cup in South America, and the first team to win four World Cups. Argentina, on the other hand, were left heartbroken, as Messi failed to emulate his compatriot Maradona and lift the trophy.

1. Brazil vs Italy, 1994

The 1994 World Cup final in the USA was a historic and dramatic match, as Brazil faced Italy, who had both won three World Cups each and were looking for a record fourth title. The match was a defensive and cautious affair, as both teams played with fear and respect, and failed to score in the 90 minutes and the extra time, despite having some chances. The match went to penalties, the first time in World Cup history, and the pressure was immense. Both teams missed their first kicks, then scored their next two. Brazil’s Romario and Italy’s Roberto Baggio, the two best players of the tournament, scored their third kicks, keeping the hopes of their teams alive. Brazil’s Dunga scored his fourth kick, putting the pressure on Italy’s Daniele Massaro, who missed his kick.

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