Top 10 Goals in World Cup History
#10: Benjamin Pavard vs. Argentina
2018 Back in 2018, France and Argentina faced off during the round of 16. The South Americans were up two-one. But, in the 57th minute, the ball came to Frenchman Lucas Hernandez, who swung in a cross. Instead of meeting one of the players in the box, the ball bobbled to the edge of the area where right-back Benjamin Pavard was lurking. With incredible technique, the defender struck the ball first-time, causing it to swing inwards towards the far corner of the goal. Goalkeeper Franco Armani had no chance of stopping that. France went on to win four-three and later lift the trophy.
#9: James Rodríguez vs. Uruguay
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2014 After impressing everyone by winning every game in the group stage, Colombia faced fellow South Americans Uruguay in the round of 16 in 2014. In the 28th minute, Abel Aguilar headed the ball toward the attacking midfielder. James Rodríguez calmly controlled the ball on his chest as he turned towards the Uruguay goal. Then, Rodríguez volleyed it toward the legendary Fernando Muslera. However, even though he got a finger on the shot, the ‘keeper had no chance. The ball thundered against the inside of the crossbar before striking inside the goal line. Rodríguez then added another to his tally to win the game for Colombia two-nil.
#8: David Platt vs. Belgium
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1990 With the game at nil-nil in the 119th minute in extra time, it was looking like nerve-racking penalties would be needed to separate England and Belgium in the 1990 round of 16. But then, Paul Gascoigne was brought down, and he stepped up to take the freekick. He lobbed a long ball into the Belgium penalty area, with David Platt finding space. However, the midfielder's positioning was wrong. Instead of the ball going harmlessly out of play, Platt spun around and somehow volleyed the ball toward the goal. It took everyone by surprise, especially Michel Preud'homme, who couldn’t stop the ball from going in.
#7: Saeed Al-Owairan vs. Belgium
1994 Making their debut at the 1994 World Cup, Saudi Arabia left a lasting impression during their Group game against Belgium, and it’s all thanks to Saeed Al-Owairan. In the fifth minute, the ball arrived at the feet of Al-Owairan, deep inside his own half. The midfielder's incredible pace helped him easily beat two defenders before dashing past a lunging challenge. At the edge of the Belgium box, Al-Owairan turned Rudi Smidts inside out as he nutmegged him. With the last-gasp attempt of another defender and Michel Preud'homme, they couldn’t stop Al-Owairan from finishing one of the best solo goals in history and giving Saudi Arabia the win.
#6: Maxi Rodríguez vs. Mexico
2006 With the score ending one-all in normal time, extra time was needed to find a winner between Argentina and Mexico in 2006's round of 16. In the 98th minute, left back and captain Juan Pablo Sorín played a long hopeful ball toward Maxi Rodríguez on the right-hand side. The midfielder expertly controls it with his chest on the edge of the area. With plenty of space, he lets the ball drop before volleying it toward the goal. The accuracy and dip on the shot were perfect as it beautifully ended up in the far corner of Oswaldo Sánchez’s goal, securing the win for Argentina.
#5: Carlos Alberto vs. Italy
1970 If there was a goal needed to prove why the 1970 Brazil team is considered one of the best to ever grace the tournament, this would be it. Facing Italy in the final, Brazil was comfortably leading three-one in the 86th minute. After getting the ball back near their box, the South Americans commenced a masterclass in teamwork. With perfect passing and delightful dribbling, the ball arrived at the feet of Pelé on the edge of the Italian box. He then lays a through ball into the path of right back and captain Carlos Alberto, just inside the area. With a thunderous shot, Alberto hammered the ball into the back of the net, finalizing the four-one win.
#4: Dennis Bergkamp vs. Argentina
1998 With both teams down to ten players and the score locked at one-all, Netherlands center-back and captain Frank de Boer pressed forward in his own half with the ball in the 90th minute. With an incredible long pass, he finds Arsenal icon Dennis Bergkamp inside the Argentine box. The forward showed incredible technique by controlling the ball with his outstretched foot. As Roberto Ayala attempted to make a tackle, Bergkamp knocked the ball under the defender before calmly slotting it into the back of the net.
#3: Richarlison vs. Serbia
2022 Having already put Brazil ahead against Serbia in the Group G match in the 2022 tournament, Richarlison would soon double his tally most spectacularly. In the 73rd minute, Vinícius Júnior attacked the European box before spotting the Tottenham Hotspur forward in space near the penalty spot. With the ball slightly behind him, Richarlison controlled the pass with his back to the goal. As the ball went up in the air, he showed his acrobatic talents by jumping upwards and striking it over his shoulder. The surprise attempt and the power generated left ‘keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić unable to stop the ball from reaching the corner of the net.
#2: Giovanni van Bronckhorst vs. Uruguay
2010 In the twilight of his storied career, Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst led his team by example in their semi-final game against Uruguay in 2010. In the 18th minute, the ball arrived at the feet of the left back. Then, instead of whipping a cross into the box, he did something he wasn’t exactly known for, taking a shot from about 35 yards out. The ball flew with such tenacity that ‘keeper Fernando Muslera could only brush it slightly with his glove. It struck the far post before rifling into the back of the net. This astonishing goal helped lift the Dutch team to a three-two win.
#1: Diego Maradona vs. England
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1986 Billed as the “goal of the century,” there was never going to be anything else at number one but this piece of magic by Diego Maradona in 1986. Having given Argentina a controversial lead against England in the quarter-final match with the “hand of god," Maradona collected the ball in his own half in the 55th minute. Within eleven seconds, he made the Europeans look like amateurs as he went on a magnificent solo run. Beating four players, the legendary player found his way into the box. With a slight dummy, goalkeeper Peter Shilton was left scrambling on the floor as Maradona slotted the ball into the empty net, securing the win for his side.
