Top 10 World Cup Matches 1994-2010 Some had lots of goals. Some had beautiful goals. Others had drama, as well as, end-to end action. These games kept you on your seat until the final whistle was blown. Here are Top 10 since the 94 WC. #10. Brazil 2-1 England (Q-F WC 2002) #9. Italy 2-1 Nigeria (2nd Round WC 1994) #8. Spain 1-0 Germany (Semi Final WC 2010) #7. Sweden 2-2 Romania (Q- F WC 1994) #6. Brazil 3-2 Holland (Q-F WC 1994) #5. Denmark 2-1 Cameroon (Group Stage WC 2010) #4. Brazil 1-1 Holland (Semi Final WC 1998) #3. Italy 2-0 Germany (Semi Final WC 2006) #2. Argentina 2-2 England (2nd Round WC 1998) #1. Brazil 3-2 Denmark (Q-F WC 1998)
Top three games I failed to find on the list and should be: 1) Ghana - Uruguay (1/4 WC 2010) is my no1. The game itself may not have been great, but the ET drama was superb. 2) Spain - Nigeria (Group Stage WC 1998) was a superb game as well with lots of drama and some great goals. 3) South Korea - Germany (Group Stage WC 1994) - What a rollercoaster! Shame South Korea didn't score the third goal, because they really deserved some result from their second half display. The Golden Goal really hurt the satisfaction level of the 2002 World Cup. ---- I would drop the following games from the above list and leave the rest: Brazil 2-1 England (Q-F WC 2002) Spain 1-0 Germany (Semi Final WC 2010) Denmark 2-1 Cameroon (Group Stage WC 2010)
I agree with a lot of Zahzahs points... if there was a worthy game in 2010, it was the Ghana-Uruguay quarter, though I wouldn't rate it that high, drama and suspense were high, but while both teams were pretty good, there have been better displays of football in the last 2 decades. I also agree that Spain-Nigeria should be in there, not so sure about Germany-Korea, though, I feel that was more a display of errors than quality. And I'd definitely keep Brazil-England 2002, by far the best match in a sub-par World Cup. I've also put in Argentina - Germany 2006 instead of Sweden-Romania. 1 BRA-DEN 3-2 (QF 1998) 2 BRA-NED 3-2 (QF 1994) 3 ITA-GER 2-0 (SF 2006) 4 ARG-ENG 2-2 (2R 1998) 5 BRA-ENG 2-1 (QF 2002) 6 ESP-NIG 2-3 (GS 1998) 7 BRA-NED 1-1 (SF 1998) 8 ARG-GER 1-1 (QF 2006) 9 ITA-NIG 2-1 (2R 1994) 10 GHA-URU 1-1 (QF 2010) Honorary mention to Argentina-Ivory Coast in 2006.
You totally forgot one game: 1) Romania - Argentina 3-2 (R16, 1994) i would also mention Germany - Yugoslavia 2-2 of 1998.
I think it all depends on what makes a match important or good to you. For example, as an American, I would have to include our 3-2 upset victory over Portugal and 2-0 second round victory over Mexico simply because of their historical importance to US soccer, which others probably would not. Both were pretty good matches in terms of tension as well. I'd also include Brazil 5-3 Costa Rica at WC 2002 just for its pure entertainment value...90 minutes of all out attacking soccer by both sides, and a terrific half-volley goal by Edmilson just before the half. And how can you ignore the Argentina-Holland quarterfinal at WC 98, with Bergkamp's stunning last minute goal coming from out of nowhere sending the biancoceleste home. Or Germany's demolishments of both England and Argentina last year? Or the US-Italy 1-1 draw at WC 2006 in which the US played over half the match down a man and still managed to hold on for a draw. Or the Italy-South Korea second round match at WC 2002 which featured Totti's controversial sending off in extra-time shortly followed by a golden goal winner by the hosts? It's pretty hard to just pick ten matches...there have just been too many good ones...
You pointed out some great games, which I considered. I would, however, never drop the Denmark 2-1 Cameroon game from the list. It was the best game of the 2010 WC. Also, not sure the Ghana-Urug game was so fantastic, expept for the drama.
The closest to including a USA game would have to be the 3-2 win vs Portugal in 2002. The reason I wouldn't include it in the list, is because I remember the game involving some clear goalkeeping mistakes. But it would make TOP 20 for sure! The next USA game, I would consider was the USA-Italy or maybe even USA-Ghana or Algeria. However, for sure not in top 10. There has just been so many good games, but it seems they were really good in WC94 and WC98.
1. How about Mexico vs Germany 1998 R16? Both teams played one heck of a match, too bad it was my team sent home. 2. Another Mexico match...Argentina vs Mexico 2006 R16? Same as above, both teams were neck and neck, just that my team didn't win. 3. And who could forget, Germany vs Uruguay 2010 3rd place match? What a game, probably better than the WC final of 2010, IMO. I would leave out...USA vs Italy 2006 (lucky own goal, cmon) Spain vs Nigeria 1998 GS (great effort by Nigeria, but not enough to be called top 10. Brazil vs Holland 1998 SF (not as good as others mentioned)
I'm surprised to see Brazil-England 2002 on there. That game pretty much went flat after Ronaldinho got sent off if I'm not mistaken. I would put England-Argentina 98 on there instead. Also, as good as Uruguay-Germany might have been, I wouldn't include 3rd place games as there's just not enough at stake. Maybe I'm biased but what about USA-Portugal 2002?
In terms of Mexico, the game which could be considered for TOP 10, would be the Argentina 2-1 Mexico R16. I think, it probably should be on the list. Other Mexico games? I don't think. Not TOP 10.
England 2-2 Argentina WC 98, is already on the list of TOP 10. Its 2nd place. Great classic game. In terms of Brazil 2-1 England, I wasn't sure, that's why I placed it 10th place. I also agree that Uruguay-Germany from WC 2010 shouldn't be on the list (mainly becasue this was a 3rd place match, hence both teams not fully focused, trying 100%).
There should be at least five matches involving Argentina in such a list. I can think of: Argentina - Romania WC94 Argentina - England WC98 Argentina - Netherlands WC98 Argentina - Mexico WC06 Argentina - Germany WC06 Argentina - Nigeria WC10
What of Portugal vs. Holland in 2006? That has to be one of the most memorable games, if not for the best reasons. Croatia had some pretty stunning games in 1998, maybe their 3-0 against Germany?
The problem with the Portugal vs Holland match (2006) is that it was very brutal and dirty. Players (especially from Holland) were constantly frustrated and couldn't perform. I think a TOP 10 match need to have great gameplay, great action, great goals, plays, drama.... that match had mostly yellow and red cards. Croatia vs Germany was a good match, but not better than any of the other TOP 10, in my opinion.
Arg-Nig WC 10??? I really enjoyed watching that match, but it was ONE SIDED like crazy. Infact, it was full of wasted chances, especially by Messi. This match was attractive (especially if you like Argentina) but it wouldn't even make the TOP 25 of 1994-2010. It was just one sided with Nigeria playing horribly.
Well, the Nigerian keeper was awesome that day. It was really entertanining, Nigeria were overmatched but they did not parked the bus. What about Argentina vs Nigeria in WC94, with Maradona giving the best individual match performance of that cup before Havelange and his cronies said "no mas".
Now maybe I'm wrong or biased, but I don't think a GS match is more important than a 3rd place match.
#10 Brazil 3-2 Denmark, QF 1998 #9 Uruguay 1-1 Ghana, QF 2010 #8 Romania 3-2 Argentina, 2R 1994 #7 Spain 1-0 Germany, SF 2010 #6 Holland 2-1 Argentina, QF 1998 #5 Argentina 1-1 Germany, QF 2006 #4 Brazil 1-1 Holland, SF 1998 #3 Italy 1-1 France, F 2006 #2 Argentina 2-2 England, 2R 1998 #1 Italy 2-0 Germany, SF 2006 IMO (sadly) no match from the period in question cracks the all-time top 10.
Italy - France in WC06 was crap, only Zidane made it somewhat interesting. I think Argentina - England in WC98 as a veritable candidate for all-time top 10. Brazil vs Netherlands in WC94, better than their subsequent clashes, could be there also, at least the second half.
Yes, the Nigerian keepr was very good in that game. The 1994 meeting between the two teams was perhaps a little better, becasue in 94 Nigeria was a very good team....it was punch for punch. In 2010 (Arg-Nig) it was just punch, punch, punch and punch all from Argentina and Messii But I still enjoyed the game.
They may say Italian football is boring but one thing is for sure. When the Italians go out, they go out in some style... how about Slovakia 3-2 Italy ot South Korea 2-1 Italy, although the referee kind of made too much of an impact in the latter game.
What's with the Italy - Germany 06 love? Decent, but far from spectacular. And I don't remember Cameroon - Denmark, so I have my doubt that it was any good.
Korea Italy definitely had a lot of drama, and the Korean crowd definitely provided for an intense atmosphere.