Unforgettable matches keep FIFA World Cup fire burning

Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, England, Holland, France among others have delivered some epic matches at the FIFA World Cup down the years that are still etched in memory.

Adjectives would fall short if one tries to describe the greatest matches the World Cup has witnessed over the last 20 editions. Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, England, Holland, France among others have delivered some epic encounters that are still etched in memory.

One of the most memorable matches in the history of FIFA World Cup is the Germany vs The Netherlands final of the 1974 edition where Franz Beckenbauer-led West Germans beat Johan Cruyff’s Oranje 2-1. (Getty Images)

The 1950 edition saw all of Brazil celebrate even before the kick-off but on field Uruguay put on a resolute display to lift the title and send entire nation into mourning. The Samba Boys, though, didn’t let that result bother them as they went on to win the three of the next five World Cups. That was also the start of the Pele era as the 17-year-old scored twice in the 1958 edition, captured the imagination of the world, turned football on its head and enthralled everyone with his dazzling skills for next couple of decades.

Not many could trouble Pele but England managed to frustrate him during the group game of the 1970 World Cup.

While Brazil won 1-0, and also went on to win the title, this match will be remembered ‘The Save’ of the World Cup pulled off by Gordon Banks to deny Pele.

England did have their moment four summers before when they beat West Germany 4-2 in 1966. Germans, though, still live in denial and still contest that the Geoff Hurst’s goal in the extra-time, which put England 3-2 ahead, should have been disallowed by the USSR linesman who erred in his decision-making.

While the Germans have won four titles, they have been on the losing side on equal occasions. But the best of their victories came in 1954 when Fritz Walters’ Davids defeated Ferenc Puskas’ Goliaths to create one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cups.

Today’s Germany play a slick brand of football but those days it was all about precision and brute force. And many have fell prey to them – from Netherlands in 1974 to France in 1982.

The German goalkeeper in 1982, Harald Schumacher, was voted as their least popular person, edging out Adolf Hitler when a French newspaper carried an opinion poll following their defeat.

First his rugby-like tackle on French midfielder Patrick Battiston, who was open on goal, went unpunished. Then he made two crucial saves in the shootout to see West Germany through.

Italians though didn’t show any mercy to them in the final and went on to win the title in 1982. The two European giants have been involved in many such epic encounters but that was the only time they crossed paths in a final.

The Germans lost in the 1986 final to Argentina but that edition will be remembered for the Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and one of the greatest goals in football history in the quarter-final against England.

In 1998, the teams clashed again, this time in round of 16 and the contest had everything -- goals, a red card, a dramatically disallowed ‘winner’ and England’s predictable exit via penalties. England’s pin-up boy David Beckham turned villain in matter of seconds as his dismissal brought Argentina back into the match.

The list will continue to grow but some matches will be cherished more than the others for the impact it had not only on the field but off it as well.

◼ Ray Wilson (with trophy) alongside the Charlton brothers at Wembley)