Best World Cup match ever

[Omar]

What, in your opinion, was the best World Cup match ever?

[Mihajloviç]

Hm I did not really watch many matches that were before WC90, so I would say that the greatest match since then was Brasil-Italy in WC94, that was won by Brasil on a penalty shootout! :D

[Delija]

For me it is Yugoslavia-Argentina in WC 90
Maybe i am biased by that I am Yugo, but that is most exciting game for me after Bari '91

[Olympiakos F.C Forever!]

I agree with Mihajlovic,the Brazil-Italy game was just one of the best ever!

[lilphenom]

i agree italy-brazil too bad that the game had to be determined ok penalties what a snubbing of talent also being biased was the US-Brazil game in 94 i mean come on how can i not be biased it was the 4th of july world cup 94 in the US regardless of the outcome we fought hard and a 1-0 loss was heartbreaking but then again it was brazil

[This message has been edited by lilphenom (edited 01 June 2000).]

[juventino]

It has to be Italy v Brazil as my memory is not good either

[Omar]

Yeah lilphenom, that was a great match. I thought that it just might end up as a draw! Anyway, yeah Italy and Brazil was a great match. What a memorable ending. Too see Baggio's face after that missed penalty was just so sad. :(

[seka]

HELLO?

What about WC86 Argentina-England?????

1. El mano de Dios of the best footbal player ever...

2. The Make-fun-of-the-England-squad slalom by the very same player...


HELLO?

PS
Oh, I forgot. Some of you here are too young to see those masterpieces. What about the replay of the same game in 98? Owen's slalom? Becks' red card? Argentina's free kick masterpiece?


There are NO games LIKE Argentina games!!!

[Coompa]

The Italy-Brazil game in the '82 World Cup has to be one of the greatest games of all time. The heroics of Paulo Rossi's hat trick,spurred Italy on to the championship

[Mato]

Because of the rivarly, and because the matches between arg and eng have always been exciting (the last one in france was amazing in a nervous-breakdown penalties (at least for me) ending and named the most exciting match by the press), and because of Diego Armando Maradona.

I enjoyed France vs. Germany in the '86 (2-0 Germany i think it was, you oldies gotta remember that one - though i was 8 years old i have the WC 86 printed in my brain) great game too. Brazil-Chile in 98 too (when Brazil got its groove back on)

Brazil-Italy 94? mmm i remember it was kinda dull game for a WC final (in fact it was the only final in history to be decided by penalties

p.s.: Seka, don't mean to patronize ya, but it's spelled: LA mano de dios. Thanks for the comment about all argentina games being exciting.

[Severus]

that has got to go down as probably the best final EVER. mind you, i was only 6 at the time living in italy but i'll never forget how exciting and nerve wrecking that match was. even when i watch clips of it now, i still get shivers down my back.

ITALIA E BASTA !!!

[Jamtart]

Scotland versus Holland in 78???

Italy v W. Germany in 70 (not around to see that one live but if you ever get a chance to see that match on video....well worth it).

Brazil v Italy and France v W. Gremany in 82

France v Brazil in 86

Best heart warming feeling, 1990 when Cameroon won the opening match of the tournament aginst Argentina despite 2 players being sent off. Pure class!!

[Mato]

I knew you were going to throw that in my face Jamtart hehe, well what can I say? We have to screw up sometimes in order to prove we're human....hheehhehe

[Garrincha]

My vote goes to WC '82 Brazil 2x3 Italy. It had it all: Class players all around (Baresi, Zico, Cabrini, Falcão, Paolo Rossi, Junior, Leandro, and so on), plenty of goals, an outclassed team defeating their superiors through fighting spirit (it was MY country's team, but I love seeing that kinda match), well, it just stands out in my mind. IMHO.

[Severus]

Originally posted by Garrincha
My vote goes to WC '82 Brazil 2x3 Italy. It had it all: Class players all around (Baresi, Zico, Cabrini, Falcão, Paolo Rossi, Junior, Leandro, and so on), plenty of goals, an outclassed team defeating their superiors through fighting spirit (it was MY country's team, but I love seeing that kinda match), well, it just stands out in my mind. IMHO.

well that would be second in my books garrinchea. no doubt. remember when dino zoff made that stop right on the goal line ? i was 6 years old at the time but i remember that save VIVIDLY. i also remember some romaniste getting their lumps by a couple of my older acquaintences because they were irate that their beloved falcao failed. can you imagine that ? that match and the aftermath are one of my fondest memories.

italia - germania was euphoric though. you should know the difference.

[Rossonero#1]

Of the last 4 world cups, I would say the BRAZIL - HOLLAND in 94 & 98 both of which ended 3-2 for Brazil, they had all the excitment, drama and GOALS, definately a better spectacle than thr 94 final against Italy.....

[Dynamo_Milan]

The hole World Cup 82 was Great.
I also want to mansion the final 86 Argentina-Germany.
But personally for me the best game was France-Brazil in 86.

[Eric]

Belgium 4 USSR 3 (Mexico 1986 Second Round) - A CLASSIC!

[Dynamo_Milan]

If I’m correct the score was 3:2
It was a really good game, but unfortunately Belgium score two goals from offsite position, even the linesman put the flag up twice, but the ref make the goals stay and took that great Soviet team out of the World Cup, it was too much politics at that time.

[Severus]

unfortunatly politics plagues sports my friend. its everywhere.

[Steve2023]

Top 5 Games:

1 Italy 3 Brazil 2 (Spain 1982)
2 Argentina 3 England 2 (France 1998)
3 Belgium 4 USSR 3 (Mexico 1986)
4 Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 (Italia 90)
5 Nigeria 3 Spain 2 (France 1998)

[HNK Hajduk]

England-4 West Germany-2 OT

World Cup '66 - England

[ItalianBoy]

I dont believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyone knows that Italia- Germania 4-3 is the best match ever?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Garrincha]

Originally posted by ItalianBoy
I dont believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyone knows that Italia- Germania 4-3 is the best match ever?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone "knows"?:confused:

I "know" no such thing... :D :rolleyes: :bald:

Who knows? :rolling:

[ItalianBoy]

Well Garrin I dont know how old you are but if you know the WC 70 where BRA won 4-1 at the final against US. The game before, the semifinal, it was Italy Germany and it ended 4-3. Its supposed to be the best match ever.

[Garrincha]

I know what match they were talkin' about, all right. What I meant is, that match may be very meaningful for you guys, but there are other matches which are more important to us. Maybe it's an impossible task: Maybe choosing a favorite WC match will alway demand such personal references that none of us will be independent on our choices.

But that particular game doesn't qualify, IMO, as THE best ever.

[abulmahshin]

1970
Brazil 4-1 Italy ?

[ItalianBoy]

Well I am just saying that THAT match its supposed to be the best. Given that it was mostly played in the injury time. Of course, there are other games I liked, still this one in particular is really famous around the world. :rolling:
I am thinking about one game in the WC I really liked. I will tell you guys later.

[Ireland]

I'd have difficulty choosing, so I'm gonna say the whole USA 94 Irish campaign. That was excellent, Niall Quinn in his prime, jack Charlton the legend as manager.

We got pretty damn far too..

[baddboy]

I would say any angentina england match up;)

[only123123]

94 usa and 86 mexico.....


the best final was 98 france against brazil and 86 argentina vs germany....

but 94 was the most exciting ones

[ifq]

1 brazil italy 82
82 wc was best ever, brazil was huge favorite, having played magicly since begining
italy on the contrary played poorly till then

then came paolo rossi...

2 france brazil 86
magical football

3 england/argentina 86
diegoooooooooooooo

[Drummer]

I am shocked that nobody has even mentioned the France - Brazil game in 1986. i dont know about it being the best game but for me , it is right up there with the best!! 1-1 france won on peno's. The game was action packed and the same thing nearly happened to France again that had happened in 82' (schumaker ploughing into that French guy and not even getting booked!!). Im not sure who(french player) was through on goal , but they were pulled down by the Brazilian keeper wit seconds to go and again an injustice as the ref wimped out and didnt book the keeper!!! What a game, so exciting, not that many goals but 2 class teams played really classy fotball. Arguably te greatest French team of all time that. That was a reall class match I think :confused:

[zeezee]

well i havent seen that many world cups so i really dont have a favorite(only saw 2 world cups) but i think that if i saw more i'm not really sure if i would have a favorite one because every game is different and they all have their exciting parts, plus i love just watching the game. but i agree with seka.

There are NO games LIKE Argentina games!!!
i think its the fans that make games rememberable as much as the players. if the fans are all hyped up and into the game the game is remembered better and it just makes everyones blood rush, and if it is a good game that double luck to them.
:rolling:

[Rossonero_23]

Well I think the best game ever was the Italy - Brazil 94 final, it was a great game but unfortunately it had to end in penalties.
The second stunning could be Argentina and Cameroon 1st round, a fantastic and exciting match.

[vgarmy]

The world cup 86 was the best.

Argentina and Maradona. The match Brazil - France, the danish team with Laudrup. etc etc.

Checkout http://maradona.5er.com for more info about Maradona

[DRUMan]

1-Brazil 3-2 Holland 1994
2-Italy 3-2 Brazil 1982

[koreafan]

The greatest matches were Spain versus korea in 1994 and Belgium 1:1 korea in 1998.
everyone thought Spain would win when Spainn scored two goals just in first half But korean players did their best on chance and scored two points back to tie
In 1998 after losing two games korea had no chance to advance to 16 best Belgium however had to win and they had chance to advance
korean team didn't give up no point game and tied
one of the korean player was bleeding due to injury but he still played defense on field

[Robert Anderson]

These are some which stick out in my mind for a variety of reasons:

1970
W Germany 3 - England 2
Italy 4 - W Germany 3
Brazil 4 - Italy 1

1974
Scotland 0 - Brazil 0

1978
Italy 1 - Argentina 0
Austria 3 - W Germany 2
Scotland 3 - Holland 2
Holland 2 - W Germany 2

1982
N Ireland 1 - Spain 0
Italy 3 - Brazil 2 ***** All-time favourite
W Germany 3 - France 3

1986
Spain 5 - Denmark 1
Argentina 2 - England 1

1990
England 3 - Cameroon 2
Ireland 1 - England 1

1994
Ireland 1 - Italy 0

1998
Argentina 2 - England 2
Holland 2 - Argentina 1
France 3 - Brazil 0


Best Final - 1970

Best Competition - 1970 or 1982

Worst Final - 1990 or 1994

Worst Competition - 1990

[fulham]

the england argentina game in 86 was one of the worst things that has ever happened to the game. yes he scored a great goal but it also proves that cheaters can win. the game in 98 was alot better. altought there was nobody on the field that had anywhere near the talent of diego.

[R9ronaldo]

i can't remember what year it was but the match brazil vs. holland and WC1994 brazil vs. italy

ROBERTO BAGGIO

[fulham]

i don't know if i'm crazy but i remember watching that brazil italy game and being bored out of my mind. just because it went to pks doesn't make it good.

[Mato]

Well, it´s true, cheaters can win, but diego was not the first and surely will not be last one......but hey, he gave you guys a goal that made up for the first one and many more.......:D

[fulham]

he also punched the ball in the goal and started to kiss his hand. his goal was good and i think i said that but the fact reamains we got screwed.

[Robert Anderson]

I watched a feature on England's World Cup clashes on TV last night and Peter Beardsley was refreshingly philisophical about the "Hand of God" incident.

He said they felt shafted at the time but if one of the England players had done it he would have been a hero.

Most professionals have tried it and been caught, Maradona happened to get away with it.

[Pietro]

I enjoyed the game between england and argentina in 1998 world cup.

severus the world cup 1982 final was 3-1 btw

[Sheva]

My favourite is Italy : Germany 4-3

[Roberto Abrego]

Holland-Brazil 94'

[MaRKy MarK]

Can someone tell me what Maradona did in the Argentina-England game in '86??? I'm just getting into soccer, and I'm a bit confused...

[fulham]

he hit the ball in the goal with his hand. the ref didn't see it so it counted. he then proclaimed it was "the hand of god". also after that goal he scored one of the best goals ever. he picked the ball up in his own half and beat about five england players before scoring. england then scored one back from lineker to make it 2-1. so we only lost because of the hand of god.

[MaRKy MarK]

thanks for the explanation fulham! can't believe the ref didn't see it.

[shrips]

90WC was my first. I fav match since has been Arg vs Romania 94WC. Romania won it 3-2 (if I remember it right).

[diegomaradona]

i was just about 2 post the same thing-argentina-romania 94,i was only 11 but that sticks in my memory,i love argentina even though i'm irish,also spain2 nigeria 3 from world cup 98 was great,and holland againest brazil in the same tournament as well as argentina versus england from 98.

[foguinho]

I had saw lotsa games from most part of WCs.The best games for me:

Italy - Brazil '82
Argentina - England '86
Brazil x France '86
France x W. Germany 82 and 86 too
Brazil x Netherlands 94
Italy x West Germany 70
and i think anyone remember this:
Netherlands x Germany 90...fantastic game too

[ILhwan7539]

Personally, just because I've only watched U.S. and South Korea's matches (since that's all espn shows), I'd have to say South Korea vs. Italy. Even I had my doubts about korea winning and I hoped for a penalty shootout at the most... until Ahn missed the penalty kick in the 5th minute. Then vierri scored on the 17th minute which really really sucked..... until the last 2 minutes of the game. On the 88th minute, Seol pounds one in with his left leg right past buffon! Then I didn't want a penalty shootout due to buffon's level of skill as a gk. Then came Ahn with a beautiful header, beating Maldini and winning the game. That was my best WC match.

[SE7E]

Brazil x Italy always made classy matches in 82, 94, and what is considered by many people the best game ever - the final in 1970.

[5timeschamp]

Holland Brazil 94 from start to end the greatest game I've ever watched.
2nd best Italy - Brazil 82 great match

[HurricaneH]

'94

Mexico 1-1 Italy

:D

Everybody thought Italy was going to knock out Mexico:P

[zenden9]

WC 82 Italy vs Brazil

[Jimi_Hendrix]

I'm Sixteen And I Have'nt Seen This Match,But I Think Best Match Of All Time Is World
Cup 1954 Final Germany Vs Hungary 3=2.

[MARADONA]

the england argentina game in 86 was one of the worst things that has ever happened to the game. yes he scored a great goal but it also proves that cheaters can win. the game in 98 was alot better. altought there was nobody on the field that had anywhere near the talent of diego.

GET OVER IT!!! CHEATERS CAN WIN??? YES; REMEMBER THE GOAL OF THE WC.66

WHY DON´T YOU ASK THE GERMANS WHAT DO THEY THINK OF THE 66 FINAL??

MARADONA IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER!!! THE REFEREE DIDN´T SAW THE HAND ; SO YOU SHOULD BLAME THE REFEREE AND NOT DIEGO.

[MARADONA]

i was just about 2 post the same thing-argentina-romania 94,i was only 11 but that sticks in my memory,i love argentina even though i'm irish,also spain2 nigeria 3 from world cup 98 was great,and holland againest brazil in the same tournament as well as argentina versus england from 98.

I´M NOT IRISH; BUT GUINNESS IS MY FAVORITE BEER IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!

RAISE YOUR HAND AND DO THE MARADONA MY FRIEND!!!!!

OHHH DIEGO MARADONA HE PUSH THE ENGLISH OUT! OUT! OUT!!!!

[Brazi-Guayo85]

Man, ur obssessed wit Maradona.. you really should seek help

[MARADONA]

Can someone tell me what Maradona did in the Argentina-England game in '86??? I'm just getting into soccer, and I'm a bit confused...


Original text:

Maradona, turns like a little eel, he comes away from trouble, little
squab man, comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick
and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away...
and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world...
he buried the English defence, he picked up that ball 40 yards out,
first he left one man for dead, then we went past Sansom, it's a goal of great
quality by a player of the greatest quality.
It's England 0, Argentina 2:
the first goal should never have been allowed, but Maradona has put a seal on his
greatness. He's left his footprint on this world cup. He scored
a goal that England just couldn't cope with, they couldn't face up
to, it was beyond their ability...
it's England 0, Diego Maradona 2.

[MARADONA]

MY CHOICE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ARGENTINA - ENGLAND JUNE 22ND. 1986





June 22nd 1986 (12:00) Mexico City, Estadio Azteca
ARGENTINA - ENGLAND 2-1 (0-0)


GOALS 51' 1-0 Diego Maradona
55' 2-0 Diego Maradona
81' 2-1 Gary Lineker (assist - John Barnes)


REFEREE Ali Bennaceur (Tunisia)
LINESMEN Bogdan Dotchev (Bulgaria)
Berny Ulloa Morera (Costa Rica)

YELLOW CARDS 9' Terry Fenwick (ENG)
60' Sergio Batista (ARG)

RED CARDS -

ATTENDANCE 114,580




ARGENTINA AGE D.O.B. CLUB
18 GK Nery Pumpido 28 30 Jul 1957 River Plate
5 DF Jose Luis Brown 29 10 Nov 1956 Boca Juniors
9 DF Jose Cuciuffo 25 01 Feb 1961 Velez Sarsfield
19 DF Oscar Ruggeri 24 26 Jan 1962 River Plate
2 MD Sergio Batista 23 09 Nov 1962 Argentinos Juniors
7 MD Jorge Burruchaga (-76) 23 09 Oct 1962 FC Nantes (FRA)
10 MD Diego Maradona (c) 25 30 Oct 1960 Napoli (ITA)
12 MD Hector Enrique 24 26 Apr 1962 River Plate
14 MD Ricardo Giusti 29 11 Dec 1956 Independiente
16 MD Julio Olarticoechea 27 18 Oct 1958 Boca Juniors
11 FW Jorge Valdano 30 04 Oct 1955 Real Madrid (SPA)

Substitutes
20 MD Carlos Tapia (+76) 23 20 Aug 1962 Boca Juniors

Coach: Carlos Bilardo 48 16 Mar 1938



ENGLAND AGE D.O.B. CLUB
1 GK Peter Shilton (c) 36 18 Sep 1949 Southampton
2 DF Gary Stevens 23 27 Mar 1963 Everton
3 DF Kenny Sansom 27 26 Sep 1958 Arsenal
6 DF Terry Butcher 27 28 Dec 1958 Ipswich Town
14 DF Terry Fenwick 26 17 Nov 1959 Queens Park Rangers
4 MD Glenn Hoddle 28 27 Oct 1957 Tottenham Hotspur
16 MD Peter Reid (-66) 30 20 Jun 1956 Everton
17 MD Trevor Steven (-76) 22 21 Sep 1963 Everton
18 MD Steve Hodge 23 25 Oct 1962 Aston Villa
10 FW Gary Lineker 25 30 Nov 1960 Everton
20 FW Peter Beardsley 25 18 Jan 1961 Newcastle United

Substitutes
19 FW John Barnes (+76) 22 07 Nov 1963 Watford
11 FW Chris Waddle (+66) 25 14 Dec 1960 Tottenham Hotspur

Coach: Bobby Robson 53 18 Feb 1933

[MARADONA]

The Run Maradona Made In That Match Was Amazing ; He Run 65 Mts. In 11 Seconds Dribbling 7 Players. That´s Magic!!!!! That´s Poetry!!! He Turn A Football Game In Art!!!!


Thanx #10 For All The Magic!!!!

[mel81x]

refs are human and yes they cant see everything and back in 86 lets be fair the game was a lot different than it is now.

but no one can dispute that run by maradona from one end to the other, showed some exceptional skill.

to say thats he will be the last one to show that skill ... hmmm bit questionable there. but all in all england lost that one because of the run not the hand of god lol a goal that i have never totally accepted because the replays show it but then again with those circumstances argentina won that one.

Cheers Maradona

[Jimi_Hendrix]

But Maybe Is Best Match Third Place Game In Year 1966.Porgutal Vs CCCP 2=1.

[arminius]

What, in your opinion, was the best World Cup match ever?
1.germany v hungary 1954 final,hungary unbeaten for 4 years,lead 2-0 after only 8 minutes,germany comeback to win 3-2., 2.germany v france 1982 semi final, germany 3-1down in extra time,comeback to make it 3-3 on a overhead kick from klaus fischer,then win the world cups 1st ever penalty shootout., 3.germany v england 1970 quarter final,germany once again down 2-0,comeback with goals from beckenbauer,seeler and gerd muller to win 3-2 in extra time.,4.germany v italy 1970 semi final,germany score in the last minute to make it 1-1,germany have used all their substitutes so beckenbauer has to play on with a dislocated shoulder,the match turns into a goal feast,italy finally win 4-3.,5.germany v argentina 1986 final,matthaeus has to mark maradona,does a good job but argentina take a 2-0 lead well into the 2nd half,germany as usual comeback with goals from rummenigge and voeller to make it 2-2,but a great pass from maradona in the last 5 minutes makes it 3-2 for argentina.,beside's these 5 I would include any germany v holland match-1990 germany 2-1,1978 2-2 draw,and especially 1974 final germany 2-1 after holland scored in the 1st minute,for me the 1974 final in terms of the quality of the players was the best ever.

[only123123]

The best Wc I have seen so far was

2002
1994
1990
1986
and 1982

1878 and 1974 was boring as hell

[SERBO4LIFE]

Netherlands/Argentina WC 98

it had ejections, goals, drama....and Bergkamps 89th minute goal was the best of the tournament.

Dejan

[arminius]

The best Wc I have seen so far was

2002
1994
1990
1986
and 1982

1878 and 1974 was boring as hell
the one in 1778 was even more boring.

[PrAvI HrVaT]

I liked 98 cuz croatia came 3rd.

[bboy treble]

by far

england vs argentina WC 98

[Lusitânia Power]

Hell-O!!! :evil:

so... you want to talk about great games of the WC...I'm only 19 years old but a game that possiblely is between the best is a quarter final in the WC 1966 Portugal 5-3 North Korea.

Because in 27 minutes of game North Korea was winning 3-0, at the half-time the result was 3-2, and in the final Portugal passed to the semi final, with a great help from Eusébio (4 goals in this game) :p so... i think it must be one of the best games ever...

PORTUGAL IS MY LOVE signed Pedro Carmo a.k.a. Lusitânia Power :)

[1453]

world cup '86 Argentina-Germany
and '02 Turkey-Brasil (two timez)

[xwk88]

I don't think any one mentioned the wc50 finals (brasil vs uruguay) its a match brazilians will never forget uruguay won bu it was an good match.

[stuglue]

"Maradona, turns like a little eel, he comes away from trouble, little
squab man, comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick
and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away...
and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world..."
Classic commentary(shame we lost)
Anyway favourite game has to be Brazil Italy 82,best Brazil team never to win WC.Carelessness from Cerezo cost them that one.Their was another match at that WC i remember Brazil v USSR,2 classic goals from Socrates and Eder sheer brilliance.I was only 7 when 82 was on but i still remember a lot about it.Mexico 86 was a good tournament Italia 90 had some duff games(England v Ireland)but got better as the tournament progressed.
Don't think i've seen a shout for England v Germany at Italia 90.

[soccerates]

Heh heh, as an Azzurri fan for me, and everyone must already know, it's got to be:


http://photos1.blogger.com/img/203/6237/320/121.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/203/6237/320/121.jpg

[wolverine]

Some of my favourites, bolded one is the best I've seen

Arg - Eng '86
Bra - Fra '86
Arg - Ger '86

Eng - Cam '90

Swe - Rom '94
Bra - Holl '94

Arg - Eng '98

Old ones (I've only seen the highlights of these)

Bra - Ita '82
Ger - Fra '82
Ita - Ger '70

[devious]

one of the most exciting and unforgetable matchs: Brazil - Denmark `98, result 3-2!!
Scorers:

2' Brazil 0 - Denmark 1 Jorgensen
10' Brazil 1 - Denmark 1 Bebeto
26' Brazil 2 - Denmark 1 Rivaldo
50' Brazil 2 - Denmark 2 B. Laudrup
60' Brazil 3 - Denmark 2 Rivaldo

[Ivan7637]

The best i have seen live not video lol....

Croatia Vs Germany- 1998
Croatia Vs Holland-1998

This is because i have only seen two world cups and in 2002 i didnt like a lot of the games but i had to pick croatia cause that's my passion, i scream and throw things at the TV more when croatia play then any other team :)

[RaulMadrid7]

Heh heh, as an Azzurri fan for me, and everyone must already know, it's got to be:

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/203/6237/640/121.jpg

sorry I can't see the picture what is it?

[RaulMadrid7]

sorry I can't see the picture what is it?

nvm, Italy Germany 3-1. :D

[vojvoda]

well that would be second in my books garrinchea. no doubt. remember when dino zoff made that stop right on the goal line ? i was 6 years old at the time but i remember that save VIVIDLY. i also remember some romaniste getting their lumps by a couple of my older acquaintences because they were irate that their beloved falcao failed. can you imagine that ? that match and the aftermath are one of my fondest memories.

italia - germania was euphoric though. you should know the difference.


For me it was yugoslavia-Spain WC 90' Spain was eliminated in the second round and we had to face mighty argentina! :bounce:

[stuglue]

What a team Yugoslavia were in the early '90's,if the Balkans conflicy had'nt happened that team would have done well at Euro '92 and WC '94.Some great names like Dragan Stojkovic.Still let's hope either Serbia or Bosnia qualify for WC 06

[andy963]

What, in your opinion, was the best World Cup match ever?

One of the most oustanding squads in World Cup history was the Soviet team in Mexico 1986. Almost all the players came from Dynamo Kiev, who had won the European Cup Winners Cup a month before the world cup started. The couch, Valerij Lobanowskij then was called to lead the Soviet national team.
Their opening game against Hungary was won by 6-0, and they led 2-0 after just 4 minutes. The perfect collective unit of the Soviet players was a serious warning to the other world cup favourites like Brazil, Argentina, France and West Germany. The 1-1 draw against France has to remain as one of the world cup classics with its speed, individual skills and highly entertaining value. And Vassilij Rats´thunder shot into Joel Bats´ top left hand corner must be counted among the best goals of World Cup history. A team of reserves beat Canada 2-0 in the last group match, and then they faced Belgium in the 1/8-finals - and were eliminated. I think it is no overstatement to say that the swedish referee Erik Fredriksson stole the victory from the soviets, allowing two Belgian goals, which both were clearly offside. The ordinary match ended 2-2, and in the added time Belgium with some luck got in front 4-2, but the soviets simply wouldn´t give in and pulled one back bye a Belanov penalty through which he completed his hattrick. Belanov later was elected European player of the year 1986. When this drama came to an end I was sad, because one of the most skilled and entertaining teams of that tournament was eliminated. The same happened to Denmark, who after winning their group with maximum points ran into a devastating 1-5 defeat against Spain. I now had to hope for France or Brazil, who later played an unforgettable match in the quarter finals with France winning after a penalty shout out. France didn´t make it to the final either, so now the only hope left was a single man - Diego Maradona!

[Bosanac]

can't pick just one best world cup match. they're all exciting to watch, because the stakes are always too high. sometimes the games between the worst rated nations are better played than with the big nations. there's always a great fight to watch whoevers on the pitch, it's impossible to pixk one as the best

[boban_10]

The first world cup match i saw was Croatia vs Germany. I will never forget that game. We were expected t olose, yet we won 3-0. My dad was one of the lucky ones that Davor Suker and crew payed for to be at the game. We never expected to go so far so they payed for some of the supporters who didnt bring enough money. He taped pat of the game on his camera, the atmosphere was emense especially wen they scored. Every time i watch it i get tingles runing down my spine. If only my family could afford to take me.
I wish we won that cup, that was our best team ever. I only hope that with Sukers acadamy etc. we can create more players like them.

[andy963]

What, in your opinion, was the best World Cup match ever?

Some of the greatest World Cup matches:

1970:
Italy-West Germany 4-3
Brazil-Italy 4-1

1974:
DDR-West Germany 1-0
West Germany-Sweden 4-2
Brazil-Netherlands 0-2
West Germany-Netherlands 2-1

1978:
Scotland-Netherlands 3-2
Netherlands-West Germany 2-2
Netherlands-Italy 2-1

1982:
Algeria-West Germany 2-1
Brazil-Scotland 4-1
Brazil-Argentina 3-1
Brazil-Italy 2-3
France-Northern Ireland 4-1
France-West Germany 3-3 (4-5 on pens)

1986:
Denmark-Uruguay 6-1
Soviet Union-Hungary 6-0
Soviet Union-France 1-1
Soviet Union-Belgium 3-4 (a.e.t)
France-Brazil 1-1 (4-3 on pens)

1990:
Cameroun-Argentina 1-0
England-Cameroun 3-2
England-West Germany 1-1 (3-4 on pens)

1994:
Spain-South Korea 2-2
Nigeria-Bulgaria 3-0
Romania-Argentina 3-2
Sweden-Romania 2-2 (5-4 on pens)
Brazil-Netherlands 3-2

1998:
Nigeria-Spain 3-2
Argentina-England 2-2 (4-3 on pens)
Brazil-Denmark 3-2
Netherlands-Argentina 2-1
France-Croatia 2-1

2002:
Senegal-France 1-0
Denmark-France 2-0
USA-Portugal 3-2
Senegal-Sweden 2-1
Brazil-England 2-1
Brazil-Turkey 1-0

[TheItalianBull]

whenever italy beat brazil... that was a good match :D :lol: :smoking: :) :ronaldo:

[crispy]

My vote goes to Brazil - Holland ( 0-2 ) in 1974 in Germany.

SUPER-football meets the new TOTAL-football.

A new way of thinking and playing, invented by a rather small country that was totally unknown in football till then.

Stopped from the title by a very lucky Germany!

[Lusitânia Power]

:lol: it seems that Crispy is crazy about the Dutch football...well keep doing your job :p

I GOT THE (Lusitânia) Power :evil:

[andy963]

I have been considering which were the top 10 greataest goals of each WC tournament since 1978, and this is my list:

Argentina 1978:
Leopoldo Luque, Arg., Argentina-Hungary 3-1
Theofilo Cubillas, Per., Peru-Scotland 3-1
Archie Gemmill, Sco., Scotland-Netherlands 3-2
Johnny Rep, Neth., Scotland-Netherlands 3-2
Arie Haan, Neth., Netherlands,.-West Germany 2-2
Arie Haan, Neth., Netherlands-Italy 2-1
Dirceu, Bra., Brazil-Peru 3-0
Nelinho, Bra., Brazil-Poland 3-1
Nelinho,Bra., Brazil-Italy 2-1
Hans Krankl, Aust., Austria-West Germany 3-2

Spain 1982:
Socrates, Bra., Brazil-Soviet Union 2-1
Eder, Bra., Brazil-Soviet Union 2-1
Laszlo Kiss, Hungary-El Salvador 10-1
Zico, Bra., Brazil-Scotland 4-1
Didier Six, Fra., France-Kuwait 4-1
Bernard Genghini, Fra., France-Austria 1-0
Ramon Diaz, Arg., Brazil-Argentina 3-1
Falcão, Bra., Brazil-Italy 2-3
Maruis Tresor, Fra., France-West Germany 3-3
Klaus Fisher, W. Germ., France-West Germany 3-3

Mexico 1986:
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Italy 1-1
Michael Laudrup, Den., Denmark-Uruguay 6-1
Vassily Rats, Sov., Soviet Union-France 1-1
Josimar, Bra., Brazil-Northern Ireland 3-0
Frankie Vercauteren, Bel., Belgium-Paraguay 2-2
Mañuel Negrete, Mex., Mexico-Bulgaria 2-0
Igor Belanov, Sov., Soviet Union-Belgium 3-4
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-England 2-1
Careca, Bra., Brazil-France 1-1
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Belgium 2-0

Italy 1990:
Lothar Matthaus, W. Ger., West Germany-Yugoslavia 4-1
Enzo Scifo, Bel., Belgium-Uruguay 3-1
Juan Cayasso, Cost., Costa Rica-Sweden 2-1
Roberto Baggio, Ita., Italy-Czechoslovakia 2-0
Salvatore Schillacci, Ita., Italy-Uruguay 2-0
Lubos Kubik, Czhe., Czecohoslovakia-Costa Rica 4-1
Dragan Stojkovic, Yug., Yugoslavia-Spain 2-1
David Platt, Eng., England-Belgium 1-0
Andreas Brehme, W. Ger., West Germany-Netherlands 2-1
David Platt, Eng., Italy-England 2-1

USA 1994:
Georghe Hagi, Rom., Romania-Columbia 3-1
Ray Houghton, Ire., Ireland-Italy 1-0
Sergio Goicoechea, Spa., Spain-Germany 1-1
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Greece 4-0
Saed Owairan, Saud., Saudi Arabia-Belgium 1-0
Kenneth Andersson, Swe., Sweden-Brazil 1-1
Ilie Dumitrescu, Rom., Romania-Argentina 3-2
Tomas Brolin, Swe., Sweden-Romania 2-2
Romario, Bra., Brazil-Netherlands 3-2
Hristo Stoichkov, Bul., Bulgaria-Germany 2-1

France 1998:
Sunday Oliseh, Nig., Nigeria-Spain 3-2
Viktor Ikpeba, Nig., Nigeria-Bulgaria 1-0,
Mustapha Hadji, Mor., Morocco-Norway 2-2
David Beckham, Eng., England-Columbia 2-0
Michael Owen, Eng., England-Argentina 2-2
Ebbe Sand, Den., Denmark-Nigeria 4-1
Dennis Bergkamp, Neth., Netherlands-Argentina 2-1
Rivaldo, Bra., Brazil-Denmark 3-2
Robert Jarni, Cro., Croatia-Germany 3-0
Boudewijn Zenden, Neth., Netherlands-Croatia 1-2

Japan/South Korea 2002:
Dario Rodriques, Uru., Uruguay-Denmark 1-2
Anders Svensson, Swe., Sweden-Argentina 1-1
Brian McBride, USA, USA-Portugal 3-2
Marc Wilmots, Bel., Belgium-Japan 2-2
Edmilson, Bra,. Brazil-Costa Rica 5-2
Diego Forlan, Uru., Uruguay-Senegal 3-3
Jared Borgetti, Mex., Mexico-Italy
Johann Walem, Bel., Belgium-Russia 3-2
Ronaldinho, Bra., Brazil-England 2-1
Lee Eul Yong, S. Kor., South Korea-Turkey 2-3

[TURK_TS]

Turkey 1-0 Senegal
Ilhan Mansiz 93rd minute whe shock the world

http://www.estadao.com.br/ext/copa/2002/galeria/2206/43.jpg
http://www.kusadasi.biz/forum/images/ilhan-mansiz.jpg

[Kon]

The best matches i ever watched is France - Germany 3-3 (after extra time) in 1982 Semi Final
and of course Italy - Brasil 3-2 in the same world cup
\
There was everything what you expect of a football game

[wolverine]

Turkey 1-0 Senegal
Ilhan Mansiz 93rd minute whe shock the world

That was no shock, it was a fight among equals. It wud've been awe had Diouf hit that goal.

[soccerates]

My vote goes to Brazil - Holland ( 0-2 ) in 1974 in Germany.

SUPER-football meets the new TOTAL-football.

A new way of thinking and playing, invented by a rather small country that was totally unknown in football till then.

Awesome game. I have it on tape!!!



Stopped from the title by a very lucky Germany!

Seems to have been the theme since too ;)

[soccerates]

The best matches i ever watched is France - Germany 3-3 (after extra time) in 1982 Semi Final
and of course Italy - Brasil 3-2 in the same world cup
There was everything what you expect of a football game

The Italy Brazil game was the finest display of catennacio (the real one) ever! Not the hyper defensive stance that most people attribute to catennacio, but the one that takes control of the midfield by stacking number, causing quick turn overs and fast wingers to aid the attack with 4-5 men. Italy out chanced Brazil and out possessed them in that game for most of it, but NEVER just sat back and defended, always looking for the turn over to move forward.

I think the Open "Jogo" died that year ;) but it took Brazil till 1994 and Parreira to realize it.

That brand of catennacio has never been seen again in full, however Brazil used a similar style in 2002 WC Final.

How bout that huh? Never thought you'd hear someone equating catennacio with Brazil. Of course, not e-x-a-c-t-l-y but because catennacio is dependant on counter attack, WITH 3-4 players going forward, and fast wingers, it is almost identical to what Brazil did vs Germany. Slight difference is that Brazil didn't have an exclusive "libero" but instead a defensive midfielder, and their defenders didn't exclusively man-mark. Man-marking defenders aren't being readily prodouced any longer. They are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as has the libero having been replaced largely by the DM...but a man-marking defender that is competent, and a libero that can marshall the back four is the meanest defense you can ever have.

Damn, I miss those days ;)

[Wordsmyth]

Brazil 1 - Uruguay 2 (1950)
Hungary - Uruguay (1954 ... wow, was this game a shocker for that time)
Germany - Hungary (1954)
Germany - Italy (1970)
Brazil - Italy (1970)
Brazil - Netherlands (1974)
Brazil - Italy (1982)
Argentina 2 - England 1 (1986)
Cameroon 1 - Argentina 0 (1990)
South Korea 2 - 2 Spain (1994)
South Korea - Italy (2002)
Uruguay 3 - Senegal 3 (2002)

I'm sure I'm missing some.

[stuglue]

I watched a re run of the '66 finals the other day.I was surprised at the quality of the players this was no 5 up front style of play.Some great goals from the Hungarians and the Russians.

[Toke-E-Yo]

I have been considering which were the top 10 greataest goals of each WC tournament since 1978, and this is my list:

Argentina 1978:
Leopoldo Luque, Arg., Argentina-Hungary 3-1
Theofilo Cubillas, Per., Peru-Scotland 3-1
Archie Gemmill, Sco., Scotland-Netherlands 3-2
Johnny Rep, Neth., Scotland-Netherlands 3-2
Arie Haan, Neth., Netherlands,.-West Germany 2-2
Arie Haan, Neth., Netherlands-Italy 2-1
Dirceu, Bra., Brazil-Peru 3-0
Nelinho, Bra., Brazil-Poland 3-1
Nelinho,Bra., Brazil-Italy 2-1
Hans Krankl, Aust., Austria-West Germany 3-2

Spain 1982:
Socrates, Bra., Brazil-Soviet Union 2-1
Eder, Bra., Brazil-Soviet Union 2-1
Laszlo Kiss, Hungary-El Salvador 10-1
Zico, Bra., Brazil-Scotland 4-1
Didier Six, Fra., France-Kuwait 4-1
Bernard Genghini, Fra., France-Austria 1-0
Ramon Diaz, Arg., Brazil-Argentina 3-1
Falcão, Bra., Brazil-Italy 2-3
Maruis Tresor, Fra., France-West Germany 3-3
Klaus Fisher, W. Germ., France-West Germany 3-3

Mexico 1986:
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Italy 1-1
Michael Laudrup, Den., Denmark-Uruguay 6-1
Vassily Rats, Sov., Soviet Union-France 1-1
Josimar, Bra., Brazil-Northern Ireland 3-0
Frankie Vercauteren, Bel., Belgium-Paraguay 2-2
Mañuel Negrete, Mex., Mexico-Bulgaria 2-0
Igor Belanov, Sov., Soviet Union-Belgium 3-4
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-England 2-1
Careca, Bra., Brazil-France 1-1
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Belgium 2-0

Italy 1990:
Lothar Matthaus, W. Ger., West Germany-Yugoslavia 4-1
Enzo Scifo, Bel., Belgium-Uruguay 3-1
Juan Cayasso, Cost., Costa Rica-Sweden 2-1
Roberto Baggio, Ita., Italy-Czechoslovakia 2-0
Salvatore Schillacci, Ita., Italy-Uruguay 2-0
Lubos Kubik, Czhe., Czecohoslovakia-Costa Rica 4-1
Dragan Stojkovic, Yug., Yugoslavia-Spain 2-1
David Platt, Eng., England-Belgium 1-0
Andreas Brehme, W. Ger., West Germany-Netherlands 2-1
David Platt, Eng., Italy-England 2-1

USA 1994:
Georghe Hagi, Rom., Romania-Columbia 3-1
Ray Houghton, Ire., Ireland-Italy 1-0
Sergio Goicoechea, Spa., Spain-Germany 1-1
Diego Maradona, Arg., Argentina-Greece 4-0
Saed Owairan, Saud., Saudi Arabia-Belgium 1-0
Kenneth Andersson, Swe., Sweden-Brazil 1-1
Ilie Dumitrescu, Rom., Romania-Argentina 3-2
Tomas Brolin, Swe., Sweden-Romania 2-2
Romario, Bra., Brazil-Netherlands 3-2
Hristo Stoichkov, Bul., Bulgaria-Germany 2-1

France 1998:
Sunday Oliseh, Nig., Nigeria-Spain 3-2
Viktor Ikpeba, Nig., Nigeria-Bulgaria 1-0,
Mustapha Hadji, Mor., Morocco-Norway 2-2
David Beckham, Eng., England-Columbia 2-0
Michael Owen, Eng., England-Argentina 2-2
Ebbe Sand, Den., Denmark-Nigeria 4-1
Dennis Bergkamp, Neth., Netherlands-Argentina 2-1
Rivaldo, Bra., Brazil-Denmark 3-2
Robert Jarni, Cro., Croatia-Germany 3-0
Boudewijn Zenden, Neth., Netherlands-Croatia 1-2

Japan/South Korea 2002:
Dario Rodriques, Uru., Uruguay-Denmark 1-2
Anders Svensson, Swe., Sweden-Argentina 1-1
Brian McBride, USA, USA-Portugal 3-2
Marc Wilmots, Bel., Belgium-Japan 2-2
Edmilson, Bra,. Brazil-Costa Rica 5-2
Diego Forlan, Uru., Uruguay-Senegal 3-3
Jared Borgetti, Mex., Mexico-Italy
Johann Walem, Bel., Belgium-Russia 3-2
Ronaldinho, Bra., Brazil-England 2-1
Lee Eul Yong, S. Kor., South Korea-Turkey 2-3

thats impressive! Good job!

[chuncho_azul]

italy-brazil 94, from what i recall..was boring as hell..

[chuncho_azul]

except the penalties

[usaistheshow]

WC 2002 quarter-finals, Brazil 2 - 1 England. and Ronaldinho scored the best goal of the whole tournament in that game.

[stuglue]

fluke goal and it was'nt the best that was Dario Rodriguez's volley for Uruguay

[chacal7]

Old folks say that Hugary 4 Uruguay 2 in Switzerland 1954 was thw best game ever seen in a world cup.

From what I can remember here's my list.

Italy 3 Brazil 2 - Spain 1982
Argentina 2 - England 1 - Mexico 1986
Argentina 1 - Brazil 0 - Italy 1990
Uruguay 3 - Senegal 3 - Corea 2002

[Ronni]

Imo there are different categories for "exciting matches".

1. Good football presented by both teams
2. Importance of the match
3. Alternate scoring and leading
4. spectacular come-backs to final victory
5. Clash of two football styles
6. Surprise winner
7. Political issues between both nations
8. Local rivalry
9. Good vs. Evil aspect

Sometimes a match is exciting in one category but is not important in the others. For each of these categories I would say:

1. Good football presented by both teams
This was France 1:1 Brazil in '86. Not many goals, still a quarter-final but an important match, since it was considered a "final" between the two favorites.
Thrilling PK-Final, with even Platini missing one (Zico had missed one in the 2nd half). Probably the most technical match in the WC history. Some people compare it to '54 Hungary vs. Uruguay, but unfortunately there aren't many records of this. Also '58 again Brazil vs. France is often put in this level.

2. Importance of the match
These are of course the finals. I don't recall any final being considered "a great match". The so often mentioned Brazil 0:0 Italy in '90 was in my opinion a totally boring match. '96 Argentina 3:2 Germany was interesting because of the coming back of the Germans, but I also recall this as a boring final.
There are some finals included in other categories, but I think a final match presenting all the elements of a good football match is still to come.
There are also other live-or-die matches that became history, but we should also consider the other factors for that, since a WC has always many live-or-die matches and also one final.


3. Alternate scoring and leading
In this category there are many examples of exciting matches. The '70 match Italians and Germans (and almost only they) consider "Match of the Century" was imo a completely boring match, and it became an interesting one at the extra time. Thrilling, but not really a good match. You could see both teams were completely exhausted, and that's the reason for so many "strange" goals. This match is repeated very often by Eurosport. If you have the chance, watch it. And you'll agree. Apart from the "goals last minutes" it was boring.
Indeed any match included in this category is spectacular. In this thread many "almost unknown" (because they weren't that important!) were mentioned, but that's right, I can't forget '86 Belgium vs. USSR or '98 Spain vs. Nigeria. Difficult to say which one was the best one.

4. spectacular come-backs to final victory
'66 Portugal 5:3 N.Korea was an incredible come back, but if we consider Portugal had an excellent team (and Eusebio!!!!), while N.Korea was a nobody (with or without the victory against Italy), we see this match wasn't that spectacular.
'70 W Germany 3:2 England instead was amazing. Technically not really brilliant, but the unexpected german come back is unforgettable - if we can talk about "unexpected german come backs". The fact that it was between two majour nations - and more, right after the discussed '66 final - it is the most interesting one in this category.
I could mention the '86 Final, but at the end Germany's come back didn't pay off ...

5. Clash of two football styles
'82 Italy 3:2 Brazil
'82 W Germany 3:3 France
Both matches show how exciting the '82 cup was (the most exciting I watched to myself - and not only because I was just a kid!). In both cases the more technical playing part lost against the more strategical one. This was the first sign of a changing age in the World Cups. Both losing parts - Brazil and France insisted still once in their style and gave the world 4 years later perhaps the most exciting football match ever seen. But since the winner (France) was again unsuccessfull, we can consider this "age" finished then. And these were perhaps the last matches of this category. Hopefully not ever!

6. Surprise winner
There were many, but we should mention the both finals '50 Brazil 1:2 Uruguay and '54 Hungary 2:3 Germany. Both losers were "unbeatable" and started scoring. Brazil had an 5:1 and 6:1 against Sweden and Spain, while Uruguay had got nothing but a 2:1 and a 1:1. And before 200,000 astonished brazilians, small Uruguay raised the cup (actually they didn't - the cup was given them somewhere in silence, since Jules Rimet found there was no atmosphere for that). This is perhaps the match with the biggest effects in the history. For Brazil it meant not only adopting the world famous yellow jersey, but also a mentality change in the whole country - also in other aspects of nation's life. For Uruguay it was also a boost for the at that time broken national self-esteem.
The same was experienced by Germans after the victory against the perhaps best-team-ever Hungary. Still with the self-esteem broken after the war, germans claimed "wir sind wieder 'was" ("we are someone again").
Although both matches weren't technically interesting, these are imo at least the most important matches of history.


7. Political issues between both nations
'74 East Germany 1:0 West Germany. From what I've read and seen, this was technically a terrible match. And it wasn't important for the rest of the hosts (and later champions) campaign either, except for the fact that losing they would be able to avoid a group with Holland and Brazil. But the political feeling "this is the match we can't lose" excludes any possibility of WGermany having given up the match.
'86 Argentina 2:1 England
The Falklands/Malvinas war had finished as the previous cup was starting, and argentinians wanted at any prize to beat England on the football pitch then. With Argentina losing to Italy and England to Germany, this match was postponed till '86. Other Maradona-aspects like the "mano de dios" and that wonderfull goal made this match a classic, although the match itself wasn't interesting at all.
Nice to see that this rivalry remained - but now only at sport level!
'98 Iran 1:0 USA
Not an important match at all - both were supposed to be eliminated later by Germany and Yugoslavia in their group, what really happened, but this turned out to be a victory of fair-play, and nothing of "War against big Satan" was seen.

8. Local rivalry
'78 Austria 3:2 WGermany
Despite of the excellent start in that WC, Austria had already no chances in this group-SFs, but beating the big neighboor and eliminating the title holder from the tournament was perhaps the most interesting WC achievement in Austria's football. Once I heard an austrian radio cronic of this match, and they had more enthousiastic "tooor!"-screams than any latin american "goooool!".
'90 Argentina 1:0 Brazil
A horrible match. Argentina were just spectators of a match as only Brazil played - and played bad! The ingredients were perfect - Brazil had disappointed in the group phase, but won all 3 matches. Argentina had also disappointed in the group phase, but was the "lucky 3rd", with only 3 points. Only argentinian victory against Brazil in the WC - but perhaps they had never been that much dominated by their neighboors in a WC match.

'90 Ireland 1 - England 1
Lots of british-irish fight spirit (perhaps mainly because England scored at the very beginning), but not more than that. It was perhaps the moment as hooliganism was on its top, and, isolated in Sardegna, both presented a lot of fight on the pitch and not outside. Italians stood completely at the side of the peaceful and funny Irish.

9. Good vs. Evil aspect
England 3:2 Cameroon
The whole world was at the side of the colourful funny good football playing africans, perhaps except for the southern part of a small isle between Atlantic and North Sea. Really a wonderful game. Nice football, alternating scores and an unforgettable Roger Milla. At the end everybody was satisfied - England deserved to achieve again the semis after more than 20 years, Cameroon was the first african nation to achieve the Quarters, and Neapolitans wouldn't see their city destroyed by the hooligans (like seen in Turin after the semis).

Senegal 1:0 France
An interesting opening match. France had perhaps the best team of all 32, and despite of the absence of Zidane they demonstrated arrogance in all its flavours after having won everything in the previous years. Who doesn't remember this match? And I'm sure, every one was delighted!

So it's difficult to say one match or to make a list of so different matches. But I think every WC has interesting matches of all kinds (even boring Italia '90!)

[Lusitânia Power]

Hell-O!!! :evil:

Ronni I liked to say some things to you: Portugal vs North Korea, maybe wasn't a great match but I got to admmit a team that is losing 3-0 and wins 5-3 is something incredible in a soccer match. France vs Senegal isn't local rivalry, or else we also called Portugal vs Brazil or Portugal vs Angola or even Spain vs Argentina a local rivalry just because Brazil, Angola or Argentina were colonies of the European countries. :rolleyes:

And about the rest of the post it is excellent, I liked to read it.

PORTUGAL IS MY LOVE signed PEDRO CARMO a.k.a. Lusitânia Power :Painkille

[Ronni]

Hell-O!!! :evil:

Ronni I liked to say some things to you: Portugal vs North Korea, maybe wasn't a great match but I got to admmit a team that is losing 3-0 and wins 5-3 is something incredible in a soccer match.
[/QUOTE]

It is indeed, but not that much if you consider that the team that came back was one of the best teams in the world at that time, with such a player like Eusebio and ... the other team was North Korea - no super power at all, and a team already satisfied with what they had achieved.

I wouldn't compare it to the German coming back from 2 goals behind England. But still I mentioned Portugal vs. North Korea.



France vs Senegal isn't local rivalry,


it's not. I put in in the category "Good vs. Evil" since the whole world wanted Senegal to win, and France to lose.




or else we also called Portugal vs Brazil or Portugal vs Angola ... a local rivalry just because Brazil, Angola were colonies of the European countries

not at all. As far as I know there's not such a rivalry between Portugal and Brazil, since most brazilians support Portugal when they play other teams, and most portuguese support Brazil when they play other teams.
Portugal played Brazil only once in WC history, and the europeans won. And you can be sure, most brazilians don't consider it as sad as if it would have been to be eliminated by any other team. Indeed, if you see the reports from that period, brazilians started supporting Portugal for the rest of the tournament as being "represented" by Portugal.
I imagine most portuguese support Angola. I don't know if angolans support Portugal. I bet they do.
This is not at all a case of rivalry.
Instead you could talk about rivalry between Brazil and Argentina (of course), and Portugal vs. Spain - though this clash is still to come (perhaps 2006?)




or even Spain vs Argentina ... or Argentina were colonies of the European countries. :rolleyes:


this is not true. Spanish speaking countries don't have the same brotherhood feeling among them like Brazil and Portugal do. They must support each other at some level, but not that much. I imagine there is even some sort of rivalry among some of them.

[Lusitânia Power]

ok Ronni it seems that I made some mistakes...but that's alright at least we're confronting points of views and learning a little bit more :)

PORTUGAL IS MY LOVE :D

[PalancaBranca06]

I imagine most portuguese support Angola. I don't know if angolans support Portugal. I bet they do.
This is not at all a case of rivalry.
[/QUOTE]

Difficult to say. I like Portugal but I have strange feelings, because now Angola is in the WC and I want that Angola goes better than Portugal. At the same time I want that Portugal wins a lot, and I don't know if Angola will be so good. I don't know.
I love Brazil.

Your list of best world cup match ever is very good! :thumbsup:
I liked Portugal against USA in 2002. I think it was 4-3 for USA. But Portugal almost won.

[andy963]

That is quite an impressive job, Ronni. There are certainly many aspects to a match of football, and I agree mostly with your categorization.
Unfortunately football sometimes gets overshadowed by political events, and that was also the case when POLAND met the SOVIET UNION in Spain 1982. It was only half a year after the the communist crackdown on Solidarnozs, imposed by Moscow orders. Poland still was under the state of martial law, and among the population there was strong hatred against the russians.
The match turned out to be a brutal one, whith a lot of freekicks and yellow cards, with the poles as the worst sinners. It ended 0-0, and now I think it is forgotten by most people. The poles advanced to the semifinals on a better goal difference. They were beaten 2-0 by Italy, but got their second WC bronze medal through a 3-2 victory over France in the 3rd place macth.

[stuglue]

'90 Ireland 1 - England 1
Lots of british-irish fight spirit (perhaps mainly because England scored at the very beginning), but not more than that. It was perhaps the moment as hooliganism was on its top, and, isolated in Sardegna, both presented a lot of fight on the pitch and not outside. Italians stood completely at the side of the peaceful and funny Irish.
Yes this may have been a local rivalry but in no way could this game be considered a great match.It sticks in my mind as one of the worst games EVER at a wc finals,90 torturous minutes.
Changing subject slightly let's hope the draw in Dec brings up a few colonial/political matches(Portugal v Angola,Serbia v Croatia,France v Ivory Coast,USA v Iran again!).Also i hope that at this WC we will see Brazil play Argentina as they have never played each other in the finals.

[andy963]

Stuglue, I have to correct you about Brazil and Argentina. They have played each other several times in the finals. Last time was in Italy 1990 when Argentina won 1-0 by a late Caniggia goal set up by Maradona. In Spain 1982 they met in the medium stages where Brazil won 3-1. In Argentina 1978 they drew 0-0, and in West Germany 1974 Brazil won 2-1 in the second round. Can´t remember if the met in earlier finals.
But it would sure be nice to see a reprisal in 2006.

[MADRIDCF8]

Hell-O!!! :evil:

so... you want to talk about great games of the WC...I'm only 19 years old but a game that possiblely is between the best is a quarter final in the WC 1966 Portugal 5-3 North Korea.

Because in 27 minutes of game North Korea was winning 3-0, at the half-time the result was 3-2, and in the final Portugal passed to the semi final, with a great help from Eusébio (4 goals in this game) :p so... i think it must be one of the best games ever...

PORTUGAL IS MY LOVE signed Pedro Carmo a.k.a. Lusitânia Power :)
haha thats excatly wat i wanted to say i didnt think any1 even thoguht about it. Eusebio was amazin i love that guy. gr8 game. also brazil-italy 1970.

[MADRIDCF8]

It is indeed, but not that much if you consider that the team that came back was one of the best teams in the world at that time, with such a player like Eusebio and ... the other team was North Korea - no super power at all, and a team already satisfied with what they had achieved.
QUOTE]
i disagree about this point. n korea were NOT at all satisified with the result. the reason they lost was becaue they wanted to show the world how gr8 they were. n korea was real good, whether a power or not. like i said in my previous post, i still think italy and brazil in 1970 was the gr8est but n kroea and portugal is one of the gr8s as well

[holicman]

The Italy-Brazil game in the '82 World Cup has to be one of the greatest games of all time. The heroics of Paulo Rossi's hat trick,spurred Italy on to the championship


now youre talking :)


DO you remember the header saved on the line by zoff from fullback Oscar right at the end ?? and the goals by socrates and Falcao's cracker ??


Do you remember Eder's 40 yard shot in that tournament from a free kick that rattled the underside of the crossbar and was left for zico to tap in ??


I think the best world cup game i have ever seen was France Vs Germany in the semi final of the 1982 world cup.

1-1 at full time, france take a 3-1 lead and germany pull it back to 3-3 before finally winning on penalties to make it through to the final.

[Ronni]

That is quite an impressive job, Ronni. There are certainly many aspects to a match of football, and I agree mostly with your categorization.
Unfortunately football sometimes gets overshadowed by political events, and that was also the case when POLAND met the SOVIET UNION in Spain 1982. It was only half a year after the the communist crackdown on Solidarnozs, imposed by Moscow orders. Poland still was under the state of martial law, and among the population there was strong hatred against the russians.
The match turned out to be a brutal one, whith a lot of freekicks and yellow cards, with the poles as the worst sinners. It ended 0-0, and now I think it is forgotten by most people. The poles advanced to the semifinals on a better goal difference. They were beaten 2-0 by Italy, but got their second WC bronze medal through a 3-2 victory over France in the 3rd place macth.
You're right! I couldn't remember that one. Very good point. I'll consider it in my "list". I'll try to find docs on that match in my collection.

[Ronni]

i disagree about this point. n korea were NOT at all satisified with the result. the reason they lost was becaue they wanted to show the world how gr8 they were. n korea was real good, whether a power or not. like i said in my previous post, i still think italy and brazil in 1970 was the gr8est but n kroea and portugal is one of the gr8s as well
no discussion about the fact that nobody is satisfied with what one already achieved knowing that there could be some more, but we can't deny that the "pressure" sort of disappears when one team feels that they already got a "sensation" - and koreans knew that for sure.

I must admit I don't know how strong N.Korea was at that time - they didn't participate on most of the tournaments, and on the few international matches they played, their results weren't that impressive (against Australia and Thailand perhaps). In any case they weren't comparable to Portugal, at that time one of the best teams in the world.
Anyway I do think this should have considered one of the top matches ever. But as I said, Germany getting back from an England's (defending champions!) 2:0 is a more impressive result than Portugal getting back from a NKorea's 3:0. If you read my previous posting, I'm not considering the quality of the match, but how impressive these results were.

[laureano18]

In my opinion and whoever that has kept track of the world cups have to agree these are the best games ever in the world cup: 1) Italy x Brazil 70 2) Germany Italy 70 3) Brazil x italy 82 4) England xGermany 66
5)Brazil x Uruguay 50 6) Argentina x Netherlands 78 and 7) Germany Netherlands 74

[Born2xl]

Imo there are different categories for "exciting matches".

1. Good football presented by both teams
2. Importance of the match
3. Alternate scoring and leading
4. spectacular come-backs to final victory
5. Clash of two football styles
6. Surprise winner
7. Political issues between both nations
8. Local rivalry
9. Good vs. Evil aspect

Sometimes a match is exciting in one category but is not important in the others. For each of these categories I would say:

1. Good football presented by both teams
This was France 1:1 Brazil in '86. Not many goals, still a quarter-final but an important match, since it was considered a "final" between the two favorites.
Thrilling PK-Final, with even Platini missing one (Zico had missed one in the 2nd half). Probably the most technical match in the WC history. Some people compare it to '54 Hungary vs. Uruguay, but unfortunately there aren't many records of this. Also '58 again Brazil vs. France is often put in this level.

2. Importance of the match
These are of course the finals. I don't recall any final being considered "a great match". The so often mentioned Brazil 0:0 Italy in '90 was in my opinion a totally boring match. '96 Argentina 3:2 Germany was interesting because of the coming back of the Germans, but I also recall this as a boring final.
There are some finals included in other categories, but I think a final match presenting all the elements of a good football match is still to come.
There are also other live-or-die matches that became history, but we should also consider the other factors for that, since a WC has always many live-or-die matches and also one final.


3. Alternate scoring and leading
In this category there are many examples of exciting matches. The '70 match Italians and Germans (and almost only they) consider "Match of the Century" was imo a completely boring match, and it became an interesting one at the extra time. Thrilling, but not really a good match. You could see both teams were completely exhausted, and that's the reason for so many "strange" goals. This match is repeated very often by Eurosport. If you have the chance, watch it. And you'll agree. Apart from the "goals last minutes" it was boring.
Indeed any match included in this category is spectacular. In this thread many "almost unknown" (because they weren't that important!) were mentioned, but that's right, I can't forget '86 Belgium vs. USSR or '98 Spain vs. Nigeria. Difficult to say which one was the best one.

4. spectacular come-backs to final victory
'66 Portugal 5:3 N.Korea was an incredible come back, but if we consider Portugal had an excellent team (and Eusebio!!!!), while N.Korea was a nobody (with or without the victory against Italy), we see this match wasn't that spectacular.
'70 W Germany 3:2 England instead was amazing. Technically not really brilliant, but the unexpected german come back is unforgettable - if we can talk about "unexpected german come backs". The fact that it was between two majour nations - and more, right after the discussed '66 final - it is the most interesting one in this category.
I could mention the '86 Final, but at the end Germany's come back didn't pay off ...

5. Clash of two football styles
'82 Italy 3:2 Brazil
'82 W Germany 3:3 France
Both matches show how exciting the '82 cup was (the most exciting I watched to myself - and not only because I was just a kid!). In both cases the more technical playing part lost against the more strategical one. This was the first sign of a changing age in the World Cups. Both losing parts - Brazil and France insisted still once in their style and gave the world 4 years later perhaps the most exciting football match ever seen. But since the winner (France) was again unsuccessfull, we can consider this "age" finished then. And these were perhaps the last matches of this category. Hopefully not ever!

6. Surprise winner
There were many, but we should mention the both finals '50 Brazil 1:2 Uruguay and '54 Hungary 2:3 Germany. Both losers were "unbeatable" and started scoring. Brazil had an 5:1 and 6:1 against Sweden and Spain, while Uruguay had got nothing but a 2:1 and a 1:1. And before 200,000 astonished brazilians, small Uruguay raised the cup (actually they didn't - the cup was given them somewhere in silence, since Jules Rimet found there was no atmosphere for that). This is perhaps the match with the biggest effects in the history. For Brazil it meant not only adopting the world famous yellow jersey, but also a mentality change in the whole country - also in other aspects of nation's life. For Uruguay it was also a boost for the at that time broken national self-esteem.
The same was experienced by Germans after the victory against the perhaps best-team-ever Hungary. Still with the self-esteem broken after the war, germans claimed "wir sind wieder 'was" ("we are someone again").
Although both matches weren't technically interesting, these are imo at least the most important matches of history.


7. Political issues between both nations
'74 East Germany 1:0 West Germany. From what I've read and seen, this was technically a terrible match. And it wasn't important for the rest of the hosts (and later champions) campaign either, except for the fact that losing they would be able to avoid a group with Holland and Brazil. But the political feeling "this is the match we can't lose" excludes any possibility of WGermany having given up the match.
'86 Argentina 2:1 England
The Falklands/Malvinas war had finished as the previous cup was starting, and argentinians wanted at any prize to beat England on the football pitch then. With Argentina losing to Italy and England to Germany, this match was postponed till '86. Other Maradona-aspects like the "mano de dios" and that wonderfull goal made this match a classic, although the match itself wasn't interesting at all.
Nice to see that this rivalry remained - but now only at sport level!
'98 Iran 1:0 USA
Not an important match at all - both were supposed to be eliminated later by Germany and Yugoslavia in their group, what really happened, but this turned out to be a victory of fair-play, and nothing of "War against big Satan" was seen.

8. Local rivalry
'78 Austria 3:2 WGermany
Despite of the excellent start in that WC, Austria had already no chances in this group-SFs, but beating the big neighboor and eliminating the title holder from the tournament was perhaps the most interesting WC achievement in Austria's football. Once I heard an austrian radio cronic of this match, and they had more enthousiastic "tooor!"-screams than any latin american "goooool!".
'90 Argentina 1:0 Brazil
A horrible match. Argentina were just spectators of a match as only Brazil played - and played bad! The ingredients were perfect - Brazil had disappointed in the group phase, but won all 3 matches. Argentina had also disappointed in the group phase, but was the "lucky 3rd", with only 3 points. Only argentinian victory against Brazil in the WC - but perhaps they had never been that much dominated by their neighboors in a WC match.

'90 Ireland 1 - England 1
Lots of british-irish fight spirit (perhaps mainly because England scored at the very beginning), but not more than that. It was perhaps the moment as hooliganism was on its top, and, isolated in Sardegna, both presented a lot of fight on the pitch and not outside. Italians stood completely at the side of the peaceful and funny Irish.

9. Good vs. Evil aspect
England 3:2 Cameroon
The whole world was at the side of the colourful funny good football playing africans, perhaps except for the southern part of a small isle between Atlantic and North Sea. Really a wonderful game. Nice football, alternating scores and an unforgettable Roger Milla. At the end everybody was satisfied - England deserved to achieve again the semis after more than 20 years, Cameroon was the first african nation to achieve the Quarters, and Neapolitans wouldn't see their city destroyed by the hooligans (like seen in Turin after the semis).

Senegal 1:0 France
An interesting opening match. France had perhaps the best team of all 32, and despite of the absence of Zidane they demonstrated arrogance in all its flavours after having won everything in the previous years. Who doesn't remember this match? And I'm sure, every one was delighted!

So it's difficult to say one match or to make a list of so different matches. But I think every WC has interesting matches of all kinds (even boring Italia '90!)

wow what an awesome post. So complete :)

[ferguson92]

good job :)