The FIFA World Cup has produced many great games. There are some matches that can be considered classics. Such historic games featured great players and teams with goals and exciting soccer.
In this World Cup final, Brazil played an original 4–2–4 formation against Sweden. With players like Zito and Pele, they would brush Sweden aside by five goals to two in a great final. It was the first World Cup win for Brazil. The most memorable moment of this match was Pele’s audacious ball-chip goal that dumbfounded Sweden’s defenders.
This World Cup final, played between England and Germany, is certainly among the classic matches. Both teams had great players, like Moore and Beckenbauer. Within 90 minutes, the game ended 2–2 with a late German equalizer. Then, in extra time, England would seal the World Cup with two further goals and a World Cup final hat trick from Geoff Hurst. Hurst’s third goal was among the most controversial ever scored as the ball could not be seen to have clearly crossed the line. Ending 4–2, rarely do World Cup finals feature six goals.
This game was the final of the 1970 World Cup. Italy played Brazil, who had the mercurial Pele, amongst other great players. Although little one-sided, few can doubt the fine soccer played by Brazil as their attackers breached Italy’s defence not once but four times. For Italy, they could respond with just the one goal to afford brief optimism. Carlos Alberto’s ferocious strike was among the most beautiful goals seen in the World Cup, with all the silky smooth short-passing buildup that preceded it. The game ended 4–1 to the rampant Brazil team.
Germany and Italy played off against each other for a place in the final in a classic 1970 World Cup semifinal. Italy scored early in the game, but Germany equalized late on to set the stage for one of the most dramatic extra-time periods ever seen in a soccer match. What followed was quite extraordinary, with five goals scored in extra time. In the end, Italy ran out 4–3 winners to set up a final game with Brazil (noted above).
This game between defending champions England and Brazil was a group match but considered a potential final. At any rate, it was a great game with few goals, settled by only a single Brazil goal. A second Brazil goal may have been due but for fine goalkeeping from Banks. England pressed the Brazilians but could not find the net. In the end, the game ended 1–0 to Brazil, but both teams progressed. However, it was a pity that England would not meet Brazil again in the final.
The final of the 1986 World Cup was a great one. Argentina started the game well and went two goals in front. However, Germany would restore parity with two further goals to level at 2–2. A late decisive goal was struck by Argentina to win the final 3–2.
Those games can all be considered classic matches of the FIFA World Cup. They’re matches that had fine soccer, plenty of goals, and dramatic moments. Hopefully, we’ll see more classic matches in the 2026 North America World Cup comparable to those above.
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