World Cup Moments

England’s recent torpid performance against the USA will not, excepting Rob Green’s howler, last long in the memory. The World Cup does not always bear witness to such dullness and, as you would expect from a tournament featuring the best players in the world, has been the setting for some of the most electrifying moments in football’s history. Tab Sport has compiled a list of the best of these instances.

Carlos Alberto Goal 1970

An outstanding team goal, from perhaps the greatest team to ever lift the World Cup, was described by its scorer as a ‘carnival’ of football fluidity. Carlos Alberto’s strike was the final goal scored by Brazil in their 4-1 victory over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final, held in Mexico. Combining individual skill and silky smooth passes, it’s no wonder this goal was awarded a special trophy by FIFA for the most beautiful goal in world cup history.

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Gordon Banks Save, 1970

In the second group match of England’s unsuccessful bid to retain the world cup half-blind Gordon Banks produced one of history’s greatest saves. The Brazilian Jairzinho charged down the right and lofted in a cross towards a charging Pelé, who shouted ‘Goal!’ as he connected with the ball. However, still reacting from the cross coming over, Banks impossibly traversed his goal line to deny Pelé at the near post.

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The Hand of God, 1986

Diego Maradona is most remembered for this outrageous incident where he visibly punched the ball into the back of the England net. Chasing a miscued clearance by Steve Hodge, Maradona leapt with the England keeper, Peter Shilton, reaching the ball first with his left fist. Tunisian referee Ali bin Nasser, not having seen the handball, awarded the most controversial goal ever seen in the World Cup.

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Cambiasso Goal v Serbia, 2006

Esteban Cambiasso rounded off a sensational Argentinian 25-pass move to score what was undoubtedly the goal of the 2006 tournament. Aside from the Hernan Crespo backheel to set up Cambiasso’s finish, the passage of play contained little by way of flair, but is remembered for its simplicity, being the way football should be played. Argentina, having gone on to beat Serbia emphatically 6-0, were hailed by many as favourites to go on to lift the cup, but were knocked out in the quarter finals by Germany.

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That tackle by Moore, 1970

In the very same match that is remembered for that stunning Gordon Banks save, Bobby Moore also produced one of England fans’ favourite World Cup moments. Cited as a tackle that no-one will ever improve upon, the patience and precision with which Moore dispossessed the Brazilian Jairzinho is now cemented as one of the defining moments of English football. The Samba striker rampaged into the English penalty area, before Moore, having tracked him from the half-way line calmly took the ball off him then redistributed it, setting up an England attack.

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Maradona’s Second Goal v England, 1986

Just four minutes after the controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal, Diego Maradona scored his second of the match, a goal equally famous but for far less contentious reasons. Pundits have called it the greatest individual goal of all time, and for good reason too as the diminutive Argentinian ran 60 yards leaving 5 English players in his wake, before dribbling round Goalkeeper Peter Shilton to prod the ball home. The goal is made all the more remarkable given the pitch the teams were playing on. The English players had complained about the state of the pitch and the manner in which Maradona appears to have the bobbling ball on a string is demonstrative of his immense ability.

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Cruyff Turn, 1974

This was the world’s first glimpse of a piece of skill now commonly seen around the globe. Generally, in the 0-0 draw the crowd had little to get excited about but Johan Cruyff’s piece of skill was worth the entry price alone. Cruyff brought the crowd alive by leaving behind a bemused defender, having feigned a pass but instead flicking the ball behind himself to create a scoring opportunity.

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