The Greatest Moments in FIFA World Cup History

The All-Time Greatest Moments in FIFA World Cup History

The FIFA World Cup is, without a doubt, the greatest sporting show on earth. Every four years, the blockbuster tournament rolls around and gives us a summer - or, in the case of 2022, winter - full of fun.

Cameroon striker Roger Milla dancing in celebration after scoring against Colombia at the 1990 World Cup. Image credits: Facebook

Ever since 1930, we’ve enjoyed watching the world's best national sides come together to compete for the title of best of them all. As you can imagine, some pretty amazing moments have taken place. What, though, are the greatest moments in World Cup history?

While by no means comprehensive, we’ve picked out some of the most standout moments to take place across the tournament's storied history. Let’s dive in!

Brazil 1970: The Team of the Century?

Brazil are arguably the most notable team in World Cup history, so it makes sense to start with them. While this is not a moment per se, we had so much fun watching this Brazilian side that it passed by in what felt like a moment. For one summer, the Selecao captured hearts and minds worldwide.

The 1970 Brazil team swaggered into Mexico and handled the conditions, notably the soaring heat, better than anyone else. Led by legends like Jairzinho and Tostao, as well as flying full-back Carlos Alberto, Brazil were tournament favourites.

They had the ace in the pack, too, with the legendary Pelé, who would go on to provide some incredible moments. 1970 was Pele’s year, and it was only down to saves like Gordon Banks’ “salmon” save - rated the best save in WC history - that Brazil didn’t win the tournament even easier.

In the end, they won it in style, crushing Italy 4-1 in the final.

Brazil 2014: A National Scandal

Brazil, Germany and Italy are seen as the “big three” of the World Cup - the most successful sides, and those with the most unique moments spread across their many games. The 2014 tournament, though, holds what many see as a watershed moment for the sport.

No South American side - until Argentina in 2022 - had won the World Cup since Brazil triumphed in 2002. Hosting the tournament in 2014, at incredible expense to a nation that was struggling financially, meant that, to satisfy the public, Brazil had to win.

After nerve-shredding wins to reach the semi-finals, Brazil arrived to face their European counterpart. Germany had also arrived in Brazil with the idea of winning. A decade-plus of development had left them with the slickest, most stylish national side in recent memory.

In the quarter-finals, Brazil lost their captain, Thiago Silva, to suspension. They also lost their talismanic forward, Neymar, to a serious back injury. Before the game even started, Brazilian players set the tone by holding up Neymar’s shirt and acting highly emotional.

Before the 30-minute mark, Germany were five goals up. By stoppage time in the second half, it was seven-nil to Germany. The crowd looked crestfallen - the sight of an older gentleman cuddling his World Cup replica still lives on - and, really, the last-minute consolation Brazil scored felt almost like an insult.

Brazil have yet to recover. Meek exits in 2018, to Belgium, and 2022, to Croatia, whilst watching their rivals Argentina end their own World Cup drought, has left Brazilian football in arguably its worst-ever state.

Roger Milla Scores a Goal For All Africa

African football has come on leaps and bounds in the last 40 years, and a large part of that stems from the inspiration of those who came before. Top of that list? Roger Milla.

Milla took Cameroon to the World Cup in 1990 and was one of their best players. His goal against Colombia, aged 38, led to rampant celebrations, ending with Milla dancing down at the corner flag after scoring.

Having defeated Argentina in the groups, too, Cameroon shocked the world by going as far as the quarter-finals. While they ran out of gas, Milla’s celebration is still replayed to this day - and with good reason.

For much of Africa, even non-Cameroonians, it’s still one of the continent's most iconic football moments.

The Miracle of Bern: 1954

Prior to the 1960s, Hungary were known as one of the greatest World Cup teams, led by legends like Ferenc Puskas. However, they never won the World Cup. To this day, 1954 stings for Hungarian football fans.

Arriving at the World Cup on the back of a 32-game unbeaten run, Hungary obliterated West Germany - as they were known at the time - 8-3 earlier in the tournament.

The final started with Hungary racing into a 2-0 lead after just eight minutes. However, by the 25-minute mark, it was 2-2. Incredible!

With six minutes of time left, Helmut Rahn scored again to make it 3-2 Germany, who had adapted to the conditions better than Hungary - the rain was bucketing down. Germany managed to win the tournament, leading to a moment of glory for a country that had struggled to find its place again in the aftermath of the Second World War.

For more fascinating football history, read about German football during the time of Hitler.

Lionel Messi Cements His Status in 2022

The 2022 World Cup was not without its controversy, for all manner of reasons. Focusing just on the pitch, though, Qatar 2022 produced some exceptional moments, including Morocco breaking through the glass ceiling and taking an African team to the last four.

Chief among the greatest moments of the tournament, though, was the final itself. It was the future vs the past - Lionel Messi, fighting for his status as the greatest football player of all time, against upstart Kylian Mbappe, one of France’s best young players. In the final, we were treated to a 3-3 epic.

Read more on our football blog

Mbappe might have scored a hat-trick - and in doing so, became the first player to score a hat-trick in the final since Geoff Hurst in 1966, and the first player since Vava to score in back-to-back finals - but it was Messi who stole the show.

Winning the only title missing from his glittering collection ensured that the Argentine cemented his position as the greatest to ever kick a ball.

The Hand of God

Until Messi won in 2022, it could be argued that Diego Armando Maradona was the greatest player of all time. While his club career now pales in comparison to what Messi has achieved, Maradona had done it at the World Cup. Twice, in fact.

In the 1986 tournament in Mexico, Maradona was simply unreal. Arguably, his most important moment in the tournament, though, was his most controversial!

Up against arch rivals England, Maradona produced a moment of devilry when, following a mix-up from a ball into the box, he jumped into the air and proceeded to tap the ball home - with his hand. Cue English rage and despair, while Argentina celebrated wildly in the corner.

Of course, Maradona would follow up this moment of controversy with a goal that took him the length of the field, before going on to dominate the rest of the tournament and take Argentina to the promised land of glory.

Roberto Baggio Shocks the World

The 1994 USA World Cup was controversial for its host destination, given the US’s relative lack of affinity with soccer. However, the Americans did have some tournament history. Namely, a shock win over England in 1950, known as the “Miracle on Grass”, thanks to most of the US team being amateur or borderline amateur up against a star-studded English side.

Still, 1994 was a fantastic tournament - one of the most successful financially, but also one of the most memorable. Partly, that’s because of how it ended.

Football fans of the 1980s and 1990s will remember Roberto Baggio well. His hairstyle was as unique as his game - all touches, angles and flair. His Italy team reached the final, and the game eventually went to penalties - the first World Cup final to go to PKs.

In a moment that makes you truly believe in fate, Baggio - the best player in the tournament by far - scooped his penalty over the bar, missing the decisive spot-kick and costing his country the tournament. For all his amazing feats on the pitch, it’s arguably this moment that the great Baggio is most remembered for.

The Battle of Santiago

Moving on to less sanitary matters, the 1962 match-up between Chile and Italy is still regarded as one of the most controversial moments in FIFA World Cup history.

Even in the build-up to the game, the Italian and Chilean press were scathing of one another; the Chileans were denounced as malnourished alcoholics, the Italians as cheating gangsters.

So, it should come as no surprise to learn that two red cards were doled out, but that’s only part of the tale. The police had to continually intervene in the match - four times in total - and it took less than 15 seconds for the first foul.

Chile would win the game thanks to a pair of late goals, but it’s the punches and kicks thrown that keep this game in the headlines more than 60 years on.

Looking for more? Read our article for 6 potential debutants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

They Think It’s All Over…

England hosted the World Cup in 1966, and came with the intent of making good on their desire to reclaim their position as football's fathers. As fate would have it, the final would see England host Germany, their arch nemesis, in what is arguably the most famous final in tournament history.

The game is bookmarked by Geoff Hurst scoring a hat-trick for England, culminating in an extra-time winner that saw England win 4-2. His hat-trick goal is arguably the most controversial goal in a final, though, as it bounced down from the crossbar and behind the goalkeeper, and then bounced out.

However, the linesman gave the goal, leading to the most famous commentary moment in the tournament: “They think it’s all over, it is now!” This gave England their first sole trophy at international level.

The Maracanazo

Arguably, the greatest World Cup moment of all time came as far back as 1950. In the early days of football, Uruguay were a dominant force. Combining skill with steel, the Uruguayans were the top team and had already won a World Cup tournament prior to 1950.

However, they would be playing in a uniquely arranged tournament, hosted in Brazil, with the “final” - not exactly, but as close to a final as this tournament allowed - seeing Uruguay head into the Maracana to do the impossible. Brazil, after all, thumped Uruguay 5-1 in the Copa America in 1949, so confidence was not high.

As many as 220,000 fans watched in shock as Uruguay turned around a one-goal deficit to level the score through Juan Alberto Schiaffino. The legendary Uruguay captain, who famously urinated all over newspaper clippings of game previews in the dressing room prior to kick-off, slammed home the winner.

The game had an incredible impact on the Brazilian psyche, reminiscent of the 2014 shellacking we mentioned earlier. The damage done to Brazilian sporting culture was so great that the national team changed their colours to the famous yellow and blue that we all know today. Without the Maracanazo, that might never have happened!

What is your favourite World Cup moment? What stands out most to you personally after years of watching the most exciting sports tournament out there? Tell us in the comments!