Top 10 World Cup Finals In Football History (Ranked)

The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious award in the game of football and one that every player dreams of lifting. To play in the final is something that not many players get the opportunity to do, so it’s important to perform on the big stage if the chance arises. Over the years, there have been an array of entertaining finals featuring brilliant comebacks, headbutts, and everything in between. But which have been the best World Cup finals to watch?

Top 10 FIFA World Cup Finals

10. Argentina vs West Germany 1986

The 1986 final between Argentina and West Germany was a thoroughly entertaining game of ups and downs. Argentina went 2-0 up in the game before West Germany pulled it back to 2-2. Approaching the final stages of the game, Diego Maradona set up teammate Jorge Burruchaga to win the illustrious trophy for Argentina.

9. Uruguay vs Argentina 1930

The first ever World Cup Final took place in Uruguay, with the hosts winning the game 4-2. Argentina were in the lead 2-1 at halftime before Uruguay came back and sealed the win with a fourth goal in the final minute of the game and ended up being presented the trophy by FIFA president Jules Rimet.

#OnThisDay in 1930, the first-ever @FIFAWorldCup final took place! 🏆

Hosts Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 to become winners of the inaugural FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com/JIxBJ2lbw3

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 30, 2024

8. Argentina vs Netherlands 1978

This was a dramatic final that needed extra time to decide it. Argentina took the lead in the 38th minute before the Netherlands levelled late on through substitute Dick Nanninga and could have won it too. However, the game was won by Argentina with two extra-time goals to make it a win on home soil for Argentina.

7. Italy vs West Germany 1982

Italy blew West Germany away in this final with a fantastic counter-attacking display. All of the goals came in the second half, with Italy going 3-0 up before West Germany scored a late consolation goal before Italy lifted their third World Cup after a 44-year wait going into the final.

6. Italy vs France 2006

This final had everything and to no surprise, Zinedine Zidane was at the forefront of it all. Zidane scored the opener with a Panenka penalty before Italy equalised soon after. But the main event of the game was when Zidane lashed out at Marco Materazzi and headbutted the Italian in the chest. In his last game in his career, Zidane was sent off and France went on to lose the game on penalties.

5. Brazil vs Sweden 1958

This was the final where Pelé introduced himself on the main stage by being influential to the Brazilian side at just 17 years old. He won the Golden Boot at the tournament and two of those goals came in a 5-2 win in the final to give Brazil their first-ever World Cup win.

4. Brazil vs Italy 1970

This tournament yet again was all about Pelé, who showed his true quality to take Brazil to their third World Cup. Held in Mexico, Pelé scored three goals before the final, in which he, Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto all scored in a 4-1 win. The goal from Carlos Alberto is one of the greatest goals ever scored and is still shown frequently today.

It’s Carlos Alberto’s birthday today. You remember him.

This goal is a work of art.

pic.twitter.com/K7vEYovpuN

— A Funny Old Game (@sid_lambert) July 16, 2024

3. West Germany vs Hungary 1954

This was a great underdog story! West Germany went into the tournament as semi-professional footballers and came up against a professional Hungary side in the final who had beaten West Germany 8-3 previously in the group stages. Hungary were 2-0 up inside 8 minutes in the game but somehow, against all odds, West Germany pulled off an incredible comeback to win the game 3-2.

2. England vs West Germany 1966

This is the only time that England has won a major tournament, and they did it by beating West Germany 4-2 in extra time at Wembley. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final but the second of these three goals created some controversy, with it being unclear whether the ball crossed the line but nonetheless the goal was awarded and England went on to lift the famous trophy.

ON THIS DAY IN 1966: England won the World Cup at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/UcH4bqvvKM

— pl out of context (@unluckyfootie) July 30, 2015

1. France vs Argentina 2022

The most recent and definitely most entertaining World Cup final. This final was all about Lionel Messi and whether he could finally add the World Cup to his long list of achievements. After a rollercoaster of a game, he finally did just that! Argentina were ahead with 10 minutes to play with goals from Messi and Di Maria before Kylian Mbappe scored twice in quick succession to take the game to extra time. Both Messi and Mbappe scored in extra time to take it to penalties but it was the little magician and Argentina who prevailed in the end.