There’s nothing quite like the FIFA World Cup. Every four years, the planet stops to watch football’s greatest drama unfold where underdogs rise, giants fall, and legends are born in 90 unforgettable minutes. As a lifelong football fan who’s spent countless nights debating these matches in crowded pubs, I want to share the games that didn’t just change scoresheets, but changed football itself.
Key points
Qatar 2022: Messi’s Last Dance vs Mbappé’s Revolution (Argentina 3-3 France, 4-2 pens)
I’ll never forget where I was when Messi finally got his hands on the FIFA World Cup. The Lusail Stadium in Qatar witnessed what might be the greatest final ever a match that had everything. Argentina dominated, France looked dead and buried, then Kylian Mbappé scored twice in 97 seconds. Messi put Argentina ahead again in extra time, only for Mbappé to complete his hat-trick from the spot. When the dust settled, it went to penalties, and Gonzalo Montiel wrote his name into history. This wasn’t just a football match, it was a passing of the torch, with Messi securing his place among the gods of the game.
Brazil 2014: The Night Football Cried (Germany 7-1 Brazil)
I still get chills remembering the disbelief in the Mineirão Stadium. Brazil, the five-time champions, playing at home… and then the unthinkable happened. Germany led 5-0 after 29 minutes. Five. By halftime, grown men in yellow shirts were weeping. The Germans didn’t just beat Brazil, they dismantled them in front of their own people. This wasn’t just a defeat; it was a national tragedy that reshaped Brazilian football forever.
Mexico 1986: Maradona vs England – Genius and Infamy (Argentina 2-1 England)
Four minutes that defined a career. First, the “Hand of God”—Maradona’s cheeky punch past Peter Shilton that the referee missed. Then, the “Goal of the Century,” where El Diego slalomed past half the England team like they were training cones. I’ve watched that second goal a hundred times, and it still doesn’t make sense how one man could do that. This match wasn’t just football, it was political, controversial, and pure Maradona magic.
Brazil 1950: The Upset That Still Hurts (Uruguay 2-1 Brazil)
Imagine needing just a draw to win the FIFA World Cup at home, in front of 200,000 fans… and losing. The Maracanã was ready to explode in celebration, but Uruguay silenced an entire nation. The term “Maracanazo” was born that day—a word that still sends shivers down Brazilian spines. The goalkeeper Barbosa was haunted for life, saying: “In Brazil, the maximum prison sentence is 30 years. I’ve been paying for mine for 50.”
Mexico 1970: The Greatest Game Ever? (Italy 4-3 West Germany)
Extra time doesn’t get better than this. After a cagey 1-1 in regulation, the floodgates opened—five goals in 30 minutes of pure chaos. Italy’s Rivera scored the winner in the 111th minute, but the real story was the sheer exhaustion. Players collapsing from heat, defenders cramping up, and non-stop attacking football. They called it the “Game of the Century” for a reason.
England 1966: Hurst, the Crossbar, and Eternal Debate (England 4-2 West Germany)
Geoff Hurst remains the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final… but was his second goal really over the line? The “Wembley Goal” debate still rages today. England hasn’t won since, making this match both their crowning glory and their curse.
France 1998: Zidane’s Masterclass and Ronaldo’s Mystery (France 3-0 Brazil)
The pre-match rumors about Ronaldo’s health were everywhere. Was he fit? Why did he play? Zidane didn’t care—he rose twice to head France into dreamland. The Champs-Élysées erupted, and a new football superpower was born.
Mexico 1970: Brazil’s Jogo Bonito Perfection (Brazil 4-1 Italy)
The greatest team ever? Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino—this Brazil side played football from another planet. Carlos Alberto’s iconic fourth goal, finished after a 10-pass move, is still the benchmark for team brilliance.
Switzerland 1954: The Miracle of Bern (West Germany 3-2 Hungary)
Hungary’s “Mighty Magyars” hadn’t lost in four years. Then, against all odds, West Germany came back from 2-0 down to win. This wasn’t just a match, it was the moment post-war Germany found its pride again.
Germany 2006: Zidane’s Headbutt Heard Round the World (Italy 1-1 France, 5-3 pens)
The greatest send-off in football history? Zidane scored a Panenka penalty, then headbutted Materazzi in the chest. The image of him walking past the trophy remains one of sport’s most haunting moments.
Why These Matches of FIFA World Cup Live Forever?
- They Changed History – Some wins rebuilt nations; some losses broke hearts for generations.
- They Defined Legends – From Maradona to Messi, these games made icons.
- They Were Pure Theatre – Controversy, drama, and moments no scriptwriter could invent.
In last,
The FIFA World Cup isn’t just about who lifts the trophy, it’s about the stories we tell forever. These matches prove why football is the world’s most beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable game.