The FIFA World Cup final is more than just a football match; it’s a global event watched by billions, the culmination of a month-long festival, and the stage where legends are either crowned or crushed. The pressure is immense, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and sometimes, the resulting drama transcends sport itself.
While every final carries weight, some have delivered truly extraordinary spectacles – contests filled with goals, comebacks, iconic moments, and narratives for the ages. Here are some of the greatest World Cup finals ever played:
1. 2022: Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)
- The Setup: Lionel Messi’s perceived last chance to capture the one trophy eluding him, against Kylian Mbappé and the reigning French champions aiming for a historic repeat. Lusail Stadium was electric.
- The Magic: Simply breathtaking. Argentina dominated for nearly 80 minutes, leading 2-0 through Messi (penalty) and a sublime team goal finished by Di María. Then, Mbappé exploded, scoring twice in 97 seconds (penalty, stunning volley) to force extra time. Messi scored again, seemingly sealing it, only for Mbappé to complete his hat-trick with another penalty. Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) and Hugo Lloris (France) made huge saves before Martínez became the hero in the penalty shootout, securing Messi’s crowning glory.
- The Legacy: An instant classic, arguably the most dramatic final ever. The duel between Messi and Mbappé, the wild momentum swings, and the sheer quality of goals made it unforgettable. It cemented Messi’s legacy as arguably the greatest ever.
2. 1986: Argentina 3-2 West Germany
- The Setup: Diego Maradona, having put in arguably the greatest individual World Cup performance ever throughout the tournament, led Argentina against a typically resilient West German side in the Azteca Stadium cauldron.
- The Magic: Argentina surged to a 2-0 lead through Brown and Valdano, seemingly cruising. But West Germany, displaying incredible fight, roared back with two goals from set pieces (Rummenigge, Völler) in a six-minute span late in the game to tie it 2-2. Just as momentum seemed fully shifted, Maradona delivered one more moment of genius – a perfectly weighted through ball to Jorge Burruchaga, who raced clear to score the winner with six minutes left.
- The Legacy: A thrilling end-to-end final that perfectly capped Maradona’s tournament. It showcased Argentina’s flair, Germany’s resilience, and ultimately, the decisive brilliance of one of the game’s icons.
3. 1954: West Germany 3-2 Hungary (“The Miracle of Bern”)
- The Setup: Hungary’s “Magical Magyars,” featuring Puskás, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti, were the overwhelming favorites, unbeaten in 31 games and having thrashed West Germany 8-3 earlier in the tournament. Played in torrential rain.
- The Magic: Hungary stormed into a 2-0 lead within eight minutes, seemingly confirming their dominance. But West Germany, incredibly, struck back immediately, tying the game 2-2 by the 18th minute through Morlock and Helmut Rahn. The game remained balanced until the 84th minute when Rahn scored his second, a low drive sealing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. A late Puskás equalizer was controversially ruled offside.
- The Legacy: A truly miraculous comeback against seemingly insurmountable odds. For West Germany, still rebuilding after WWII, the victory provided a massive boost to national morale and identity. It shattered the aura of invincibility around the legendary Hungarian team.
4. 1966: England 4-2 West Germany (AET)
- The Setup: England, playing on home soil at Wembley, aimed for their first (and still only) World Cup title against familiar rivals West Germany.
- The Magic: A dramatic final full of twists. West Germany scored late in normal time (Wolfgang Weber) to force extra time at 2-2 after Geoff Hurst had put England ahead. In extra time, Hurst scored one of the most controversial goals in history – his shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down. Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov indicated it had crossed the line, giving England the lead. As fans spilled onto the pitch near the end, Hurst completed his hat-trick (the only one ever in a men’s World Cup final), prompting the famous “They think it’s all over… it is now!” commentary line.
- The Legacy: England’s finest footballing hour. Defined by Hurst’s hat-trick and the enduring controversy over the third goal. A thrilling match with immense historical significance for the host nation.
5. 1970: Brazil 4-1 Italy
- The Setup: Two two-time champions vying to win the Jules Rimet trophy outright. Brazil’s legendary squad, featuring Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostão, and Gérson, played scintillating attacking football throughout the tournament. Italy boasted a typically strong defense (Catenaccio heritage).
- The Magic: While perhaps less dramatic in scoreline than others on this list, this final was a celebration of attacking football and the coronation of arguably the greatest World Cup team ever. Pelé opened the scoring with a towering header. Italy equalized after a defensive error. But Brazil turned on the style in the second half with goals from Gérson and Jairzinho (who scored in every game). The final goal is iconic – a sweeping team move involving numerous players, culminating in Pelé nonchalantly laying the ball off for captain Carlos Alberto to thunder home.
- The Legacy: The ultimate expression of Brazil’s “Joga Bonito.” Pelé secured his third World Cup, and the fourth goal is widely considered one of the greatest team goals ever scored, symbolizing the beauty and collective brilliance of that legendary side.
Honorable Mentions:
- 1974 West Germany 2-1 Netherlands: Clash of titans, Beckenbauer vs. Cruyff, early penalties, home nation triumph.
- 2006 Italy 1-1 France (Italy win 5-3 on penalties): Famous for Zidane’s shocking headbutt on Materazzi in extra time, decided by penalties.
- 1950 Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (“Maracanazo”): Not technically a final (it was the deciding game of a final group stage), but the historical significance of Uruguay upsetting Brazil in front of nearly 200,000 stunned fans in the Maracanã is legendary.
These finals represent the pinnacle of the World Cup – delivering not just champions, but unforgettable stories, breathtaking skill, and drama that captivated the entire planet.
What is YOUR favorite World Cup final memory? Which final do you think deserves the title of “greatest”? Share your thoughts below!
