Football, or soccer as it’s known in some parts of the world, has provided fans with countless thrilling and unforgettable matches over the decades. The World Cup and Champions League have staged some of the most dramatic sporting events ever witnessed. Rivalries like El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid have also produced epic goal-fests and nail-biting finishes.
Let’s take a look back at 10 of the greatest football matches to ever grace the pitch. Get ready to relive some spectacular goals, shocking upsets, heroic comebacks, and last-gasp miracles.
10. 2014 World Cup Semifinal – Brazil vs Germany
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was shaping up to be one for the ages for the host nation. Brazil breezed through the group stage and knocked out Chile and Colombia in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. They faced a strong German side in the semifinals, but still seemed poised to advance to the final on home soil. However, the match turned into an all-time shocker.
Germany absolutely blitzed Brazil with a first-half barrage of goals. Thomas Müller opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Then Miroslav Klose scored in the 23rd minute to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. Germany poured it on with two more goals in a 6-minute span to take a 5-0 halftime lead. The destruction continued in the second half, as Germany notched two more goals to deal Brazil a mind-blowing 7-1 defeat. The loss marked Brazil’s biggest World Cup embarrassment ever.
9. 2005 Champions League Final – Liverpool vs AC Milan
The 2005 Champions League final looked like a total mismatch on paper with defending champions Porto taking on 6-time winners AC Milan. The game initially followed the predicted script with Milan racing out to a 3-0 lead in the first half behind two goals from Hernan Crespo and one from Paolo Maldini.
Liverpool managed to grab a goal back before the half but still faced a daunting task with the Italian powerhouse only 45 minutes from another European title. However, Liverpool came roaring back in the second half, mounting a miraculous comeback. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso in a 6-minute stretch tied the match at 3-3.
The teams remained deadlocked through extra time. Liverpool ultimately prevailed in penalty kicks to complete the unbelievable three-goal rally and stun Milan on Europe’s biggest stage.
8. 2009 El Clasico – Barcelona vs Real Madrid
El Clasico always produces fireworks when Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid collide. The 2009 edition featured some of the biggest stars in the sport at the time including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, and Iker Casillas. This match turned into an epic goal-fest with both teams lighting up the scoreboard all night long.
Barcelona drew first blood when Samuel Eto’o finished a cross from Messi in the 10th minute. Real Madrid answered back with a cracking volley from Gonzalo Higuain to equalize right before the half. After the break, it became a shootout between the Spanish powerhouses. Thierry Henry scored two goals to push Barca ahead before Real tied it at 3-3 on an overhead kick from Sergio Ramos. Messi added two more goals to complete his hat trick. But Madrid kept fighting with two late goals, including one from Ronaldo, to secure a thrilling 5-5 draw.
7. 1970 World Cup – Brazil vs Italy
The 1970 Brazil World Cup team is considered one of the greatest squads ever assembled in the sport’s history. Led by the legendary Pele, they captured their third World Cup title in Mexico while playing dazzling football. Their 4-1 win over Italy in the final perfectly displayed Brazil’s free-flowing style and flair.
Jairzinho gave Brazil the lead after a dazzling run and shot in the 18th minute. Italy quickly equalized before halftime but was no match for Brazil’s attacking brilliance in the second half. Pele assisted on two goals with an accurate pass to Jairzinho and an audacious dummy play that teed up Carlos Alberto. The match is best remembered for Carlos Alberto’s thunderous shot from Pele’s pass to close out the scoring in iconic fashion. Brazil put on a masterclass to cement themselves as one of the best World Cup winners ever.
6. 1954 World Cup Final – West Germany vs Hungary
The 1954 World Cup final in Switzerland was a David vs Goliath clash between West Germany and the soccer powerhouse Hungary. Hungary boasted legendary players like Ferenc Puskás and had already trounced West Germany 8-3 in group play. Hungary continued their dominance by taking a 2-0 lead over the Germans in the first 10 minutes of the final.
With their opponents on the ropes, Hungary added another goal right after halftime to go up 3-1 and seemingly put the match out of reach. However, West Germany began an improbable fightback with goals in the 10th and 18th minutes to tie the match at 3-3. In a stunning turn of events, a late goal by Helmut Rahn clinched the upset victory for West Germany. Their miracle comeback, known as “The Miracle of Bern,” marked one of the biggest upsets ever at the World Cup.
5. 1999 Champions League Final – Man United vs Bayern Munich
Manchester United faced German titans Bayern Munich at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona for the 1999 Champions League crown. Bayern outplayed Man United for most of the match and their hard work paid off with a goal in the 6th minute from a free kick. As the clock ticked down, it looked like Bayern would coast to the title as United struggled to find an equalizer.
However, Man United mounted a miracle comeback in three frantic minutes of extra time. Substitute Teddy Sheringham scored in the 91st minute and two minutes later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the unlikely hero by poking in the winner. Alex Ferguson’s United side somehow came back from the brink to complete a stunning rally and clinch the Treble in unforgettable fashion on the biggest stage in European club football.
4. 1986 World Cup – Argentina vs England
The quarterfinal showdown at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico between Diego Maradona’s Argentina and England became an iconic match thanks to Maradona’s heroics. He cemented his legend status by scoring two polar opposite goals just four minutes apart in the second half.
His first goal came on a contested high-jumping header where he appeared to use his hand to knock the ball in the net. Maradona later described it as the infamous “Hand of God” goal. But any controversy quickly gave way to amazement when Maradona dribbled through almost the entire England team to score the “Goal of the Century” and give Argentina a 2-0 lead en route to victory. Those two moments helped elevate Maradona to the best player of his generation.
3. 1958 World Cup Final – Brazil vs Sweden
Brazil and a 17-year-old phenom named Pele took the soccer world by storm at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. After looking human in a tie with England, Brazil caught fire in the knockout stage by demolishing Wales and France by a combined score of 9-2. Pele scored consecutive hat tricks in those quarterfinal and semifinal matches to set up a clash with hosts Sweden in the final.
The Brazilians continued their offensive onslaught as veteran Vava and the teenage prodigy each scored two goals in a 5-2 rout over Sweden. Pele announced his arrival on the biggest stage by becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. Brazil’s free-flowing mastery ignited their first World Cup title and showcased “The King” Pele in all his glory.
2. 1970 World Cup – Italy vs West Germany
Four years after England’s win over West Germany in extra time, Italy and West Germany met again in the semifinals in Mexico. The Italians were trying to match Brazil’s 1958 feat by winning consecutive World Cups. Germany was fueled by revenge after their heartbreaking loss in 1966.
The heavyweight clash became an instant classic that delivered on all levels. Italy struck first before Germany equalized in the final minute of normal time to send the match into extra time. Future scoring legends Gerd Muller and Gianni Rivera traded goals in extra time to keep the drama at a fever pitch. The tiebreaker ultimately went to a penalty shootout where both sides converted their first three attempts. However, Germany prevailed when Italy’s Albert Rosato sent his shot over the crossbar to cue a wild German celebration.
1. 1966 World Cup Final – England vs West Germany
Topping our list of the greatest football matches of all time is the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium between England and West Germany. England was aiming to win their first World Cup on home soil against a formidable West German side.
In a back-and-forth thriller, West Germany took an early lead before England equalized on a controversial goal that appeared to not cross the line. Young Geoff Hurst put the hosts ahead going into halftime. With England clinging to their one-goal advantage late in the match, Hurst recorded the first hat-trick ever in a World Cup final to secure England’s victory. His controversial bouncing shot that ricocheted off the crossbar put England up 4-2 and sealed the championship in dramatic fashion.
England’s triumph on home soil during extra time went down as one of the most dramatic Finals ever thanks to Hurst’s heroics. The match remains a landmark event in English football history. It epitomized the magic and theater only possible during the World Cup.
Final Verdict
The World Cup and Champions League have created countless moments of sheer sporting drama over the decades. These 10 matches ranked among the greatest ever provide just a glimpse into the passion, tension, and excitement that makes football special. From national pride on the line in World Cups to the glory of winning Europe’s biggest club prize, football’s grandest stages never fail to deliver all-time classics.
The unforgettable goals, valiant comebacks, shocking upsets, and unbelievable conclusions detailed here exist permanently in football lore. New great matches may emerge in the future. But these definitive games set the bar for the beauty, emotion, and spectacle that will continue driving fans’ love of the beautiful game.
