The FIFA World Cup final is the biggest game in international soccer. As the deciding game, it includes the two best teams in the tournament. While not all World Cup matches are especially exciting, there have been a few enthralling finals in that tournament. These are some of the great World Cup finals played in the tournament.
This World Cup in 1958 featured a resurgent Brazilian team against the host nation of Sweden. It became one of the best World Cup finals played. The game kicked off with Sweden scoring one of the earliest goals in a final within five minutes of the start of the match.
This was as good as it got for Sweden, as Brazil turned on the style, leveled, and then took a 2-1 lead thanks to goals from Vava. Then, Pele waved his magic wand, scoring a brilliant third and fourth goal to put Brazil ahead 4-1. Sweden would pull a goal back later in the game, but still with too much to do. Brazil secured the win with a fifth goal late in the game to make the scoreline 5-2 to the Brazilians.
Overall, it was a significant final for two reasons. With several goals scored, this has eclipsed any other World Cup final. It was also the first World Cup Brazil won, beginning a new era of dominance for the Brazilian national team.
The 1966 World Cup final is a favorite for many. This is not surprising, as the game featured plenty of goals and some controversy. Germany took the lead in this game before England came back with two goals scored. At 2-1, the game entered the closing stages of 90 minutes, when Germany was able to equalize. While the ball seemingly hit Schnellinger’s hand, the referee allowed the goal to stand.
As such, the game went into extra-time, where England regained their lead with a third goal that only marginally crossed the goal-line, if at all. Hurst sealed the game with a fourth goal for England and also completed his hat-trick. The game ended 4-2 for England with the Three Lions winning the World Cup.
This was not the closest of the World Cup finals, but for the great soccer played, it was a fine finale to the 1970 tournament. The first half remained relatively even, as Brazil took the lead, only for Italy to equalize later in the half. In the second half, Italian resistance began to collapse in the face of Brazil’s slick passing, which would see them re-establish the lead through a Gerson goal in the second half.
Brazil scored a third goal and finished the rout with a late fourth goal from Alberto, after a great passing move. With this, Brazil became the last team to win the former Jules Rimmet trophy and were the first three-time, or hat-trick winners of the World Cup.
Argentina played Germany in the 1986 World Cup final. With Maradonna on their team, Argentina had the edge in this World Cup final, and would open the scoring in the first half. In the second half, a second goal put Argentina on course to win the World Cup.
The Germans were down but not out, and would pull a goal back through Rummenigge. Not long after, Voller would equalize, as West Germany came from two goals behind. A winning goal would then be scored not long after by Burruchaga to seal the World Cup for Argentina as the final ended 3-2.
The most recent final in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final was one of the most enthralling in the tournament’s history. Argentina were seemingly cruising to victory after Messi and Di Maria put them two up in the first half. This two-goal lead lasted until about the 80th minute, when Otamendi brought down Kolo Mauni, and the referee gave a spot kick to France duly scored by Mbappé. A minute later Mbappé scored again to make the score 2-2.
A shell-shocked Argentina regrouped and went ahead again in extra-time when Messi scored from close range. The French resistance continued and paid off with a penalty given for a handball late in extra-time. Mbappé stepped up to score from the penalty spot and complete his hat-trick, but this was not enough to win the game at 3-3. Argentina held their nerve to emerge victorious in the penalty shoot-out that followed extra time.
Those were five of the best-ever FIFA World Cup finals. They were finals that had plenty of goals, drama, some fine soccer, and great teams. Those matches were great adverts for the FIFA World Cup and soccer generally.
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