10 Greatest World Cup Matches In Football History (Ranked)

10 Greatest World Cup Matches In Football History (Ranked)

The World Cup is the pinnacle of international football, with some of the most viewed matches in history being played in the tournament. Every four years we get drama, chaos, heartbreak and games that simply refuse to be forgotten. Some matches are technically brilliant. Others are pure emotion. And a few are just complete madness from start to finish. With the World Cup coming up this summer in America, here at Football Park we are ranking the 10 greatest matches in World Cup history... Enjoy!

10 - 2018: Belgium 3–2 Japan (Round of 16)

This one doesn’t always get mentioned... but it absolutely should. Belgium 2-0 down. Japan, fearless and flying. The so-called “golden generation” staring at embarrassment. And then chaos. What followed was one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history, capped off by arguably the best counter-attacking goal ever scored at a World Cup. Kevin De Bruyne driving forward, perfect decision-making, and Nacer Chadli finishing it in the 94th minute. It had pace, drama and that feeling of complete unpredictability. It wasn’t a final; it was just pure, breathless football.

Sometimes that’s enough.

⏰ 52’ 🇧🇪 Belgium 0-2 Japan 🇯🇵

⏰ 69’ 🇧🇪 Belgium 1-2 Japan 🇯🇵

⏰ 74’ 🇧🇪 Belgium 2-2 Japan 🇯🇵

⏰ 94’ 🇧🇪 Belgium 3-2 Japan 🇯🇵

Unbelievable come back😱 pic.twitter.com/ws8WIxdKwK

— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) July 2, 2018

9 - 1986: Argentina 2–1 England (Quarter-Final)

Two of the most infamous individual moments ever in one match. Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal instantly polarised the world – genius and controversy in one illegal touch – then followed it up minutes later with perhaps the greatest solo goal in World Cup history, weaving through defenders with blistering pace, skill and audacity. This wasn’t just a match; it was an emotional rollercoaster of moral ambiguity and transcendent brilliance. The rivalry, the stakes, the story arcs. This game had it all.

𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑜, 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑜, 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑜...
𝑡𝑎́, 𝑡𝑎́, 𝑡𝑎́, 𝑡𝑎́, 𝑡𝑎́, 𝑡𝑎́... 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑙

🔙 22 de Junio de 1986
🇦🇷 @Argentina 2-1 Inglaterra 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

No importa cuántas veces lo hayas visto.
El 𝗴𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗹𝗼 siempre es especial.#WorldCup | #otd

— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) June 22, 2020

8 - 2018: France 4–3 Argentina (Round of 16)

Talk about entertainment. Seven goals, momentum swinging back and forth like a thriller novel, and a young Kylian Mbappé introducing himself to the world in stunning fashion. This was not tidy defensive football; it was a collision of styles, lasers from a distance, two comebacks and total abandon. Argentina had the experience, with Messi on top form; France had youthful energy and brute pace. The result? Pure winning-against-the-odds drama that kept neutrals and fans alike glued to the edge of their seats. There are great matches, and then there’s this beautiful football chaos.

The French Connection... but Argentina played their part👏👏 What a game 4-3 and France go into the last 8...Stunning goals from Di Maria🇦🇷 and Pavard 🇫🇷 Mbappe the star of the show and he and Messi embrace at the end... there is a new kid in town though⚽️🏆

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) June 30, 2018

7 - 2006: Italy 2–0 Germany (Semi-Final)

A classic heavyweight encounter that simmered for 120 minutes before delivering a dramatic finale. Italy, disciplined and cagey, met Germany in a clash where chances were at a premium and tension was the default setting. Extra time saw Italy break through, and what followed was a release of everything football’s top level can deliver: tactical intelligence and emotional exhaustion. This one wasn’t flashy... but it certainly was meaningful.

16 years ago today! 2006 World Cup Semi-Final!
Italy 2-0 Germany
119th Min- Grosso
121st Min- Del Piero pic.twitter.com/dUr4mmyGLV

— BI_1897 (@BI_1897) July 3, 2022

6 - 1982: Italy 3–2 Brazil

This is the pitch-perfect example of football romance. The great Brazil side, full of flair and style, met a ruthless Italian machine led by Paolo Rossi. End-to-end magic, lead changes, momentum swings and Rossi’s hat-trick made this a narrative masterpiece. Flair versus power, poetry versus precision. This Brazil side may be remembered as one of the greatest teams to not win the World Cup, but this match stands as one of the greatest ever played.

World Cup 1982
Monday 5th July
BBC LIVE
4.05-6.05pm
I ran home from school to witness one of the greatest World Cup games of all time and a Paulo Rossi hat-trick.
Italy 3-2 Brazil
Commentator John Motson#Italy #Brazil ⁦@FootballArchive⁩ pic.twitter.com/aMUwTiPJK9

— TV Football 1968-92 (@1968Tv) May 12, 2020

5 - 1970: Brazil 4–1 Italy (Final)

If ever there was a definitive statement of football excellence, this was it. The 1970 Brazil side is widely regarded as the most beautiful team ever assembled. Pelé, Jairzinho, Gerson, and Carlos Alberto. Every player a toothpick in a fire of collective brilliance. In the final against Italy, they didn’t just win; they dominated with flair, skill and ruthless efficiency. Paulista football artistry at its most unignorable. Winning the World Cup is one thing. Winning it like this was something else entirely.

A REMINDER:#OnThisDay 1970
Carlos Alberto scored one of the great World Cup goals as Brazil beat Italy 4-1 🇧🇷⚽️🏆pic.twitter.com/KPfLZNBl80

— Football Remind ⚽️ (@FootballRemind) June 21, 2017

4 - 2010: Uruguay 1–1 Ghana (Quarter-Final)

If ever a World Cup match had absolutely everything, it was this. Ghana were seconds away from becoming the first African nation to reach a semi-final. The entire continent was behind them. Then came that moment. Luis Suárez handling on the line in the 120th minute, taking the red card and denying a certain winner. Asamoah Gyan steps up… and hits the bar. Chaos.

The penalty shoot-out that followed felt inevitable and cruel all at once, Uruguay holding their nerve while Ghana were left devastated. It was controversial, dramatic and emotionally draining from start to finish.

114 days until the World Cup

The hand of God? No, the hand of Suarez.
Uruguay vs Ghana 2010 was the definition of "win at all costs”. The craziest ending to a Quarterfinal https://t.co/yF36ooExns pic.twitter.com/jo6Iu27S21

— Ohene🚶🏽 (@ik_ohene7) February 17, 2026

3 - 2014: Netherlands 5–1 Spain (Group Stage)

They said it couldn’t happen. They were wrong. Four years after Spain beat the Netherlands in the 2010 final, this rematch saw the Dutch take a scalpel to the defending champions with ruthless precision. Van Persie’s flying header set the tone, and once rhythm kicked in,, the goals came like hammer blows. Spain, once masterful and serene, looked bereft of ideas; the Netherlands was clinical, hungry and merciless. It wasn’t just a scoreline; it was a changing of the guard, a reminder that football loves to rewrite its own storylines. This is one of my favourite matches of all time; when I was young, this match was engraved in me. What a performance!

FT: The Oranje exact revenge for 2010 and hand Spain the worst-ever defeat for a defending #WorldCup champ. #ESPvNED pic.twitter.com/xktPlquEy2

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2014

2 - 2014: Brazil 1–7 Germany (Semi-Final)

There have been magnificent comebacks and crushing defeats... and then there was this. Brazil, the hosts and five-time world champions, were absolutely obliterated by Germany in a 7–1 rout that left the football world shell-shocked. Few matches have been as brutally one-sided yet so compulsively watchable. Goals rained in, disbelief became laughter, and Twitter erupted. It’s officially one of the most tweeted matches in sports history. Brazil imploded, Germany celebrated ruthless efficiency, and the global football narrative changed in the span of 90 minutes. For sheer chaos mixed with competitive dominance, this one still stings.

3️⃣ 3. 🇧🇷 Brazil 1-7 Germany 🇩🇪(2014)
This wasn’t just a shock, it was a humiliation. Brazil at home and 5-0 down after just 29 minutes. A nation in tears.
The Mineirazo.

pic.twitter.com/6HkkFC21ht

— The Football History Boys (@TFHBs) July 12, 2025

1 - Argentina 3–3 France (Final)

If cinema was a football match, this would be it. Seven goals, drama flipping scorelines like a switch, Messi and Mbappé at their absolute peaks, and a penalty shoot-out to decide one of the most emotional finals in history. Argentina led, France came back, Argentina retook the lead, and France again forced extra time. Then penalties. This was storytelling at its rawest: unpredictability, heroics, despair, and ecstasy. One of the greatest finals ever, no debate. Finally... Messi had his hands on the one trophy that he needed to cement his place as the greatest footballer of all time.

ON THIS DAY: In 2022, we witnessed an all-time classic as Argentina triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup final! 🏆🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/zau6PadUay

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2025