The 25 Greatest Goals in World Cup History

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup brings together many of the game’s brightest stars and pits them against each other on the field in a constant tug-of-war for the title of world’s best. On both a team and individual level, your performance at the tournament will completely shape your legacy in the game, with four weeks often serving as a referendum on an entire career.

It may be a cliché to say that legends are made at the World Cup, but it’s basically true. Pele and Diego Maradona were brilliant for their clubs, of course, but do we remember them for that? Of course not. We remember them for their exploits at the World Cup, especially their memorable goals that demonstrated their dominance over the sport.

You don’t necessarily have to be a big name to score at the World Cup, but when you do, your name is forever linked to that one blaze of glory. There have been numerous individual moments of brilliance throughout the 20 tournaments that have been played since its founding in 1930, but these are the 25 Greatest Goals in World Cup History.

Date: 7/11/2010
Game: Spain vs. Netherlands
Stage: Final
Goal scorer: Andres Iniesta, Spain

Spain had long fought a reputation as perennial tournament flameouts heading into the 2010 World Cup, but buoyed by a Euro 2008 championship and their masterful tiki-taka playing style, they made it to their first-ever World Cup Final in 2010. With penalty kicks looming in the 116th minute, Andres Iniesta's delightful finish gave Spain the trophy in a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.

Date: 6/2/1970
Game: Bulgaria vs. Peru
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Dinko Dermendzhiev, Bulgaria

You wouldn't think Peru-Bulgaria would be a clash of World Cup juggernauts, but Dinko Dermendzhiev's finish for Bulgaria came off of one of the most deftly and artfully managed set pieces in tournament history. This lightning-quick 1-2 combo and excellent finish in the 13th minute gave Bulgaria a 1-0 lead, although they'd ultimately lose the game on three second half goals by Peru.

Date: 6/26/1990
Game: Yugoslavia vs. Spain
Stage: Quarterfinals
Goal scorer: Dragan Stojkovic, Yugoslavia

While at first blush Dragan Stojkovic's shot itself might not seem all that spectacular, watch what happens before he shoots. The settle damn near fakes out the entire Spanish team, and sends the Spanish defender sliding into the next county. The finish is merely an afterthought at that point, but it was an important one nevertheless, as it gave his team a 1-0 lead with 12 minutes to play.

Date: 6/23/2010
Game: United States vs. Algeria
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Landon Donovan, United States

You didn't think we'd miss this one, did you? It doesn't get any points in the way of style, but Landon Donovan's goal could not have come at a more vital moment. With the United States mere minutes away from being eliminated, Donovan's finish after a galloping run up the right side gave his team their first-ever first place group finish and one of the most dramatic wins in World Cup history.

Date: 6/28/2014
Game: Colombia vs. Uruguay
Stage: Round of 16
Goal scorer: James Rodriguez, Colombia

The 2014 World Cup has basically been simply a showcase for James Rodriguez. He has been everywhere for Colombia, and in their first-ever knockout stage victory he showed just why he's one of the best young players alive.

Date: 6/29/1950
Game: United States vs. England
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Joe Gaetjens, United States

Joe Gaetjens may not have even been American (he was Haitian), but that does not mean he can't be a hero in the United States. Facing a vaunted England side in group play, the little-known US team saw Gatejens dive in front of a teammate's shot that was heading straight towards the goalkeeper, redirecting it with his head and into the back of the net. The 38th minute goal stood up, and the USA had pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.

Date: 6/13/1998
Game: Nigeria vs. Spain
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Sunday Oliseh, Nigeria

Nigeria's Sunday Oliseh hit what, we believe, has to be the hardest shot in the history of the World Cup. No wonder Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta just stares at it; would you want to touch that thing? The goal gave Nigeria a 3-2 win over the favored Spanish, helping them reach the knockout stage for the second consecutive tournament.

Date: 7/16/1950
Game: Uruguay vs. Brazil
Stage: Final Round
Goal scorer: Alcides Ghiggia, Uruguay

The most infamous goal in the history of Brazilian football, Alcides Ghiggia's fortuitous 79th minute finish off an error from Brazilian goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa gave Uruguay a 2-1 victory and shocked the entire host nation of Brazil into a stunned silence. The specter of this game looms large over Brazil this year, with the 2014 side being counted upon to help exorcise this horrible demon.

Date: 6/29/1994
Game: Saudi Arabia vs. Belgium
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Saeed Al-Owairan, Saudi Arabia

Saeed Al-Owairan had a prolific career in both the Saudi league and for his national team, but this incredible run through the heart of the Belgian defense is his lasting legacy. The goal was good enough to be ranked sixth on FIFA's Goal of the Century rankings, and earned Owairan a spot on the best -22 team for the 1994 World Cup.

Date: 6/19/1990
Game: Italy vs. Czechoslovakia
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Roberto Baggio, Italy

Prior to the 1990 World Cup, a huge section of Italy hated Roberto Baggio after he accepted a transfer from Fiorentina to their Serie A rivals Juventus. The fans of his old club hated him for leaving, and the fans of his new team were reluctant to accept a former rival. This magnificent goal in the World Cup certainly helped heal those wounds, at least until four years later.

Date: 6/16/2006
Game: Argentina vs. Serbia and Montenegro
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Esteban Cambiasso, Argentina

While the strike itself from Esteban Cambiasso is nothing sublime, it's the buildup that makes this such an incredible goal. Argentina pinged the ball all over the field, working the Serbians as if they were a bunch of schoolboys. After 24 straight passes, Cambiasso used the 25th to rifle home a goal that's the ultimate example of team soccer.

Date: 7/6/2010
Game: Netherlands vs. Uruguay
Stage: Semifinals
Goal scorer: Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Netherlands

The Netherlands didn't always play the most romantic soccer at the 2010 World Cup, but they always seemed to make a play when they needed to. Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst found himself some 40 yards from goal in the semifinal against Uruguay, and fancied his chances despite the difficult angle and extreme long distance. Good call.

The 18th minute laser into the top corner opened the scoring of a semifinal match the Dutch would win 3-2 before losing in the final to Spain.

Date: 6/11/1978
Game: Scotland vs. Netherlands
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Archie Gemmill, Scotland

Archie Gemmill's goal is the defining moment of his very fine career, and it could not have come at a better time for Scotland. Leading the Netherlands 2-1 but needing to win by three goals to advance, Gemmill's 68th minute strike put the Round of 16 within reach. Unfortunately for them, the Dutch pulled a goal back just three minutes later, and the Scots were out.

Date: 6/18/2014
Game: Australia vs. Netherlands
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Tim Cahill, Australia

Veteran Tim Cahill has been getting it done for Australia for so long it's easy to forget about him. While the majority of his goals come from headers, he scored perhaps the goal of the tournament this year on a thunderous, first-time volley with his off foot against the Netherlands. His second yellow card in as many games came shortly after, though, meaning he was suspended for the Socceroos' final match.

Date: 6/11/1982
Game: Italy vs. West Germany
Stage: Final
Goal scorer: Marco Tardelli, Italy

When you have a goal celebration named after you, that's when you've really arrived. Marco Tardelli had such an honor bestowed upon him after his brilliant 69th minute goal pushed Italy ahead 2-0 over West Germany, and the "Tardelli cry" is still one of the most famous moments in the history of Italian soccer.

Date: 6/18/1978
Game: Netherlands vs. Italy
Stage: Second Round
Goal scorer: Arie Haan, Netherlands

Back in the early days of the World Cup, there were two group stages used to determine which two teams reached the Final. Battling with fellow favorite Italy, the Netherlands' Arie Haan knew that his team needed a win to assure themselves a place in the Finals. This 76th minute, 40-yard bullet did the trick, pushing the Dutch into the Final where they were beaten by Argentina.

Date: 6/13/2014
Game: Netherlands vs. Spain
Stage: Group Stage
Goal scorer: Robin van Persie, Netherlands

If you want a quick lesson on how to basically single-handedly end a dynasty, Robin van Persie gave a pretty good example in the Netherlands annihilation of Spain. The degree of difficulty on this header was absurd, but the combination of the audacity to even try it and the perfect placement made this easily the greatest header in World Cup history.

Date: 6/15/1986
Game: Mexico vs. Bulgaria
Stage: Round of 16
Goal scorer: Manuel Negrete, Mexico

Hosting the World Cup in 1986, Mexico felt it very important to have a good showing on their home soil. Manuel Negrete certainly helped the cause with this spectacular display of ball skills, scissoring home the first goal of their 2-0 Round of 16 win over Bulgaria. Their quarterfinal appearance equals the best-ever performance for Mexico at a World Cup.

Date: 6/30/1998
Game: England vs. Argentina
Stage: Round of 16
Goal scorer: Michael Owen, England

An 18-year-old kid controversially brought into the national side, Michael Owen proved his worth quickly and earned a starting place alongside stalwart striker Alan Shearer in the Round of 16 match against Argentina. After England fell behind in the sixth minute, Owen drew a foul in the box in the 10th minute (Shearer converted the PK), then unleashed this moment of brilliance in the 16th to put his team ahead 2-1. Argentina would equalize, however, and would knock England out on penalty kicks.

Date: 6/24/2006
Game: Argentina vs. Mexico
Stage: Round of 16
Goal scorer: Maxi Rodriguez, Argentina

Mexico battled hard with a favored Argentina side, pushing the game into extra time after a 1-1 deadlock was reached just 10 minutes into the match. In the 98th minute, Maxi Rodriguez decided he had enough, unleashing this hellacious volley that would be the difference in Argentina's 2-1 win.

Date: 6/29/1958
Game: Brazil vs. Sweden
Stage: Final
Goal scorer: Pele, Brazil

Every legend has to begin somewhere, and for Pele that was at the 1958 World Cup. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest player ever to participate in a Final, and he responded by netting two goals. This one, his first, gave his team a 3-1 lead and proved to be the winning goal in his nation's first championship.

Date: 6/24/1978
Game: Brazil vs. Italy
Stage: Third Place Game
Goal scorer: Nelinho, Brazil

If there has been a more spectacularly bent shot in the history of the tournament, we'd love to see it. Breaking up the right side and with plenty of room to work, the right back Nelinho spotted Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff shaded too close to his near post and unleashed a tremendous strike that tied the game in the 64th minute.

Brazil would score again just seven minutes later, capturing third place at the tournament.

Date: 7/4/1998
Game: Netherlands vs. Argentina
Stage: Quarterfinals
Goal scorer: Dennis Bergkamp, Netherlands

A speculative 60-yard long ball from captain Frank de Boer found streaking striker Dennis Bergkamp, who realistically couldn't have been expected to do much given the angle of the ball. His magnificent settling touch, quick inside cut, and outside of the boot finish were simply world class. This 89th minute goal propelled the Netherlands into the semifinals, and also set the Dutch national scoring record.

Date: 6/21/1970
Game: Brazil vs. Italy
Stage: Final
Goal scorer: Carlos Alberto, Brazil

Despite a career limited by injury, Carlos Alberto had his moment in the sun in the Final of the 1970 World Cup against Brazil. The game ended up as a 4-1 demolition, and Alberto's goal came in the 86th minute and was Brazil's fourth of the match. Nevertheless, the breathtaking pace and technical ability displayed by the entire team to make this goal happen makes it a piece of football artwork that will live forever.

Date: 6/22/1986
Game: Argentina vs. England
Stage: Quarterfinals
Goal scorer: Diego Maradona, Argentina

This may be the greatest goal not just in World Cup history, but in all of soccer history. Reeling from just having conceded the infamous "Hand of God" goal four minutes earlier, England watched helplessly as a gallivanting Maradona shredded Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice), and Terry Fenwick before also dribbling around goalkeeper Peter Shilton and stuffing the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.

England pulled one back in the 80th minute off the foot of Golden Boot winner Gary Lineker, but Argentina held on for a 2-1 win and would go on to capture the World Cup.