The will host its 1000th match on Saturday as Tunisia and Japan meet in Monterrey. To commemorate the occasion, FIFA has taken a trip down memory lane to look back on ten of the finals' best matches.
Portugal were on a high after slaying two-time reigning champions Brazil in their final group outing, and would have fancied their chances against Korea DPR in the quarter-finals. The Asian side had other ideas, and raced into a three-goal lead. Portugal needed the brilliance of Eusebio to save them, as the legendary forward netted four times to inspire a stunning comeback.
Roberto Boninsegna's early goal promised plenty but the floodgates refused to budge as a combination of excellent saves and dramatic goal-line clearances kept the score down. That was until the 92nd minute when Karl-Heinz Schnellinger levelled for Germany, setting up a breathless extra-time period in which Germany stole the lead, lost it again, drew level once more and were sucker-punched by Gianni Rivera in 'The Game of the Century'.
Spain 1982 | Second group stage
Paolo Rossi had gone more than 15 hours without scoring for Italy and was expected to be on the chopping block for their do-or-die clash with Brazil. Enzo Bearzot instead kept faith with the frontman, and he duly hit a hat-trick to sink a star-studded and erstwhile invincible-looking Brazil side in one of the tournament's most iconic performances.
This was the first World Cup match to be decided by penalties, but the spot-kicks were merely a sideshow to the incredible drama which came before it. End-to-end excitement in regulation made way for a frenetic extra-time period, in which France powered into a 3-1 lead only to be pegged back to 3-3, before succumbing in the shootout.
Four years later, Les Bleus played in another barnstorming affair, but emerged from the shootout victorious. A stunning team goal was finished by Careca to put Brazil ahead, only for Michel Platini to level later in the piece. Socrates missed from the spot during a back-and-forth second half and would do the same in the shootout, leaving Luis Fernandez to send France through.
Goals from Romario and Bebeto had put Brazil in cruise control, only for the Dutch to rally through Dennis Bergkamp and Aron Winter. In the end, though, Branco's stunning free-kick edged this ding-dong Dallas duel the way of the soon-to-be champions.
A contest punctuated by history exploded into life in Saint Etienne. Argentina took the lead but were no sooner chasing it when Michael Owen slammed home a stunning solo goal in the 16th minute. La Albiceleste equalised before David Beckham was sent off for an off-the-ball kick out, and while England took their old foes to penalties, the South Americans triumphed from the spot.
A galaxy of stars collided in Dortmund, and while the net didn't ripple with regularity, an enthralling contest engrossed the 65,000 in attendance. Saves were made and woodwork was whacked, and while Italy were spearheaded by a formidable attacking arsenal, it was left-back Fabio Grosso who eventually broke the deadlock in extra time, before Alessandro Del Piero sealed Italy's final berth.
Cristiano Ronaldo's finest World Cup hour came in this group-stage battle with Spain. After his brace was cancelled out by a pair of Diego Costa goals, Nacho Fernandez gave La Roja the lead with a stunning half-volley. That looked set to decide the match, until Ronaldo netted a stunning 88th-minute free-kick to ensure a share of the spoils.
Lionel Messi's Argentina looked to be cruising to a first world title in 36 years until a supersonic double by Kylian Mbappe brought the game level. The superstars traded another blow apiece and both scored in the shootout before Gonzalo Montiel set the seal on a drama-drenched showpiece which has gone down as one of the sport's greatest.
Sources: FIFA Official
