gaijin
08 Jun 2006, 08:14 PM
To get you in the mood, here was FourFourTwo's recent top 50 greatest World Cup moments.
50: Hector Castro wins Uruguay their first World Cup in the maiden competition, by beating Argentina 4-2 in the final in a packed Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.
49: Bobby Moore's tackle on Jairzinho in 1970 against Brazil in Mexico.
48: The 'Black Diamond', Leónidas scores a hat-trick against Poland to help his win the game 6-5 after extra time at the 1938 World Cup in France... Barefooted.
47: The Mexican Wave is seen for the first time by the international world during Mexico's game with Bulgaria in 1986 in the Azteca stadium.
46: In 1962 against Brazil in Chile, England's Jimmy Greaves tries to carry a stray dog off the pitch but gets a nice reward as result. Covered in piss.
45: Dundee United player David Narey scores a thunderbolt past Brazil in their Group F encounter in Spain in '82. Shame for Scotland as they lost the game 4-1.
44: Mario Kempes scores the deciding goal in extra time against Holland in the final of 1978.
43: Brazilian goalkeeper Ghiggia makes an absolute gaff as Uruguay beat the hosts in the final in 1950.
42: Rivaldo gets hit by a ball from Turkish player Hakan Unsal in 2002 and goes down clutching his face. Unsal is sent off, Brazil win the match and go onto to lift the trophy.
41: East German Jurgen Sparwasser scores the only goal against neighbours West Germany to clinch an unlikely triumph. The 3000 travelling fans (or Stasi members) celebrate in delight at the result both for the country in football terms and political ones.
40: Swedish referee Ivan Eckling makes a fascist salute towards the dignitaries box (containing Mussolini) as the Italians faced the USA in 1934. The image became a symbol of the supposed level of favouritism towards the home team at the tournament.
39: Hungary and Brazil trade blows in their quarter final in 1954. Red cards were dished out for either side as Hungary prevailed 4-2. The trouble didn't stop afterwards as the players exchanged blows in the dressing rooms.
38: Teófilo Cubillas scores a cheeky free-kick with the outside of his foot past a Scottish wall, as Peru defeat Scotland 3-1 in 1978.
37: Senegal stun former colonial masters and reigning World Cup champions France after beating them 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul.
36: Pele debuts in his first world cup for Brazil in 1958, scoring a hat-trick against France in the semis and two more in the final against hosts Sweden.
35: Iran beat the USA 2-1 in a hotly billed political standoff match in Lyon in 1998.
34: Gary Lineker scores a hat-trick for England against Poland in 1986 to see them through into the knockout stage.
33: Diana Ross penalty miss at the opening ceremony of USA 94.
32: English referee Clive Thomas disallows Brazil's last minute goal against Sweden in 1978 after blowing the full time whistle.
31: Bryan Robson scores after just 12 seconds for England against France in Bilbao in 1982.
30: North Korea stun Italy at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, winning 1-0 to send them through to the quarter finals at Italy's expense.
29: Kuwait storm off the pitch in 1982 against France after Alain Giresse's goal gives France a 4-1 lead. The Kuwaiti players appeared to have stopped playing after supposedly hearing a whistle in the crowd. After a standoff between the players and officials, the referee disallows the French goal - but France win 4-1 anyway.
28: Gerry Armstrong scores Northern Ireland's winner against hosts Spain in 1982.
27: The Miracle of Bern in 1954. Hungary go 2-0 up the final, but Germany's Helmut Rahn completes a staggering comeback as the Germans win 3-2 for their first ever world cup.
26: Korea stun Italy again! This time South Korea in 2002 as Ahn-Jung-Hwan scores a golden goal to knock his employers out of the world cup.
25: Dennis Bergkamp magic against Argentina in 1998. The Dutchman controls a long ball from the edge of the area, turns it past an Argentinean defender and rifles the ball past the goalkeeper in one swift movement to send the Dutch to the semi finals of the competition.
24: Rene Higuita's back pass and Roger Milla's dance. The eccentric Colombian tries to control the ball well outside his box, but his caught in possession by Milla, the 38 year old races towards the open goal and does his famous celebration to see the first African side into World Cup quarter finals.
23: The Battle of Santiago in 1962. A game between hosts Chile and the fancied Italian side is marred as both sets of players conduct violent tackles and assaults on each other from the off. Humberto Maschio's nose was broken as police had to intervene three times. Described as the dirtiest game ever by most journalists and historians. Chile won 2-0.
22: Paulo Rossi scores a hat-trick against Brazil in the second round as Italy cruise 3-1. He would score six in the tournament and go onto win the world cup for Italy and cap an amazing comeback after being banned for 2 years for alleged match fixing.
21: Argentinean captain, Antonio Rattin is sent off against England in 1966 at Wembley. Taking minutes to leave the pitch, England coach Alf Ramsey branded the Argentina team 'animals' and refused to allow any of his players to swap shirts with the opposing players at the final whistle.
20: Pele creates magic for Brazil in 1970. The outrageous dummy against Uruguay, the lob against Peru and his opening headed goal against Italy in the final announced Pele as one of the world's greatest players.
19: English referee Jack Taylor awards Holland a 1st minute penalty against host Germany in the final. Neeskens scores it but Germany win 2-1.
18: Andres Escobar of Colombia scores an own goal against the USA to knock his side out of the World Cup. Later on arrival in his home country he is shot dead.
17: John Aldridge and Jack Charlton explode against Fifa officials as Ireland get annoyed at their delayed time to make a substitution. Their collective rants are picked up by nearby TV mics. Charlton receives a ban from the dugout and Ireland get beat against Holland in the 2nd round.
16: Michael Owen scores a wonder goal in St-Etienne against Argentina in 1998 as England pull 2-1 in front in their round 2 clash.
15: Archie Gemmill scores an equally wonder goal against Holland in 1978 in a game the Scottish team needed to win by 3 goals. Scotland could only win 3-2 and Gemmill's goal was scant consolation as the Scots were sent packing.
14: Maradona tests positive for ephedrine in USA in 1994 and was sent home in disgrace.
13: David Beckham becomes the enemy of 50 million English people as his petulant red card for kicking out at Diego Simone costs England in their 2nd round encounter against Argentina in France 98.
12: Geoff Hurst and 'that' goal in 1966. Did it cross the line or didn't it? Well the Russian referee agreed and England went ahead in extra-time.
11: Baggio skies his penalty kick in the 1994 final shootout against Brazil.
10: Dutch player Frank Rijkaard spits at the back of Rudi Voller's head in 1990 as two bitter rivals face off in Italia 90. Both players were sent off for the incident.
9: Cameroon assault Claudio Cannigia in USA 94. First Kana-Biyick saw red for a challenge on the striker and then a three man assault on the player ended with Benjamin Massing body checking him onto the ground and out of the stadium.
8: Johann Cruyff turn. The Dutch maestro first shows the world his patented turn during a match with Sweden in 1974.
7: The greatest goal ever? Carlos Alberto caps an incredible team goal in the 1970 final against Italy as Brazil sweep past their oppenents 4-1.
6: Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga runs out of his wall to smash the ball into the stands as the Brazilians line up their free-kick. He recieved a yellow card as a result. Zaire crash out out of the tournament in 1974 with 0 goals and 0 points. A rare comical moment.
5: Harold Schumacher commits assault. In the 1982 semi final between France and Germany, fresh substitute Patrick Battiston is put clear at 1-1. A clear run at goal, the German keeper comes flying out of his box and nowhere near the ball to crash cynically straight into the Frenchman. Lying unconscious on the pitch, the referee does not award anything but a goal kick nor gives the keeper a card, as France lose a thrilling game on penalties after drawing 3-3 in normal time.
4: Paul Gascogine breaks down in tears in 1990 in England's semi final with Germany in Turin. A late challenge against Thomas Berthold and the subsequent booking means that he would miss the final should England get there.
3: Tardelli celebration. Marco Tardelli of Italy produces an iconic image as he celebrates Italy's 2nd goal against Germany in the final to cap their win.
2: England's Gordon Banks produces a world class save against Pele in 1970 as he somehow manages to tip the Brazilians header over the bar from a near impossible angle.
1: Maradona's infamous Hand of God goal against England in 1986.
50: Hector Castro wins Uruguay their first World Cup in the maiden competition, by beating Argentina 4-2 in the final in a packed Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.
49: Bobby Moore's tackle on Jairzinho in 1970 against Brazil in Mexico.
48: The 'Black Diamond', Leónidas scores a hat-trick against Poland to help his win the game 6-5 after extra time at the 1938 World Cup in France... Barefooted.
47: The Mexican Wave is seen for the first time by the international world during Mexico's game with Bulgaria in 1986 in the Azteca stadium.
46: In 1962 against Brazil in Chile, England's Jimmy Greaves tries to carry a stray dog off the pitch but gets a nice reward as result. Covered in piss.
45: Dundee United player David Narey scores a thunderbolt past Brazil in their Group F encounter in Spain in '82. Shame for Scotland as they lost the game 4-1.
44: Mario Kempes scores the deciding goal in extra time against Holland in the final of 1978.
43: Brazilian goalkeeper Ghiggia makes an absolute gaff as Uruguay beat the hosts in the final in 1950.
42: Rivaldo gets hit by a ball from Turkish player Hakan Unsal in 2002 and goes down clutching his face. Unsal is sent off, Brazil win the match and go onto to lift the trophy.
41: East German Jurgen Sparwasser scores the only goal against neighbours West Germany to clinch an unlikely triumph. The 3000 travelling fans (or Stasi members) celebrate in delight at the result both for the country in football terms and political ones.
40: Swedish referee Ivan Eckling makes a fascist salute towards the dignitaries box (containing Mussolini) as the Italians faced the USA in 1934. The image became a symbol of the supposed level of favouritism towards the home team at the tournament.
39: Hungary and Brazil trade blows in their quarter final in 1954. Red cards were dished out for either side as Hungary prevailed 4-2. The trouble didn't stop afterwards as the players exchanged blows in the dressing rooms.
38: Teófilo Cubillas scores a cheeky free-kick with the outside of his foot past a Scottish wall, as Peru defeat Scotland 3-1 in 1978.
37: Senegal stun former colonial masters and reigning World Cup champions France after beating them 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul.
36: Pele debuts in his first world cup for Brazil in 1958, scoring a hat-trick against France in the semis and two more in the final against hosts Sweden.
35: Iran beat the USA 2-1 in a hotly billed political standoff match in Lyon in 1998.
34: Gary Lineker scores a hat-trick for England against Poland in 1986 to see them through into the knockout stage.
33: Diana Ross penalty miss at the opening ceremony of USA 94.
32: English referee Clive Thomas disallows Brazil's last minute goal against Sweden in 1978 after blowing the full time whistle.
31: Bryan Robson scores after just 12 seconds for England against France in Bilbao in 1982.
30: North Korea stun Italy at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, winning 1-0 to send them through to the quarter finals at Italy's expense.
29: Kuwait storm off the pitch in 1982 against France after Alain Giresse's goal gives France a 4-1 lead. The Kuwaiti players appeared to have stopped playing after supposedly hearing a whistle in the crowd. After a standoff between the players and officials, the referee disallows the French goal - but France win 4-1 anyway.
28: Gerry Armstrong scores Northern Ireland's winner against hosts Spain in 1982.
27: The Miracle of Bern in 1954. Hungary go 2-0 up the final, but Germany's Helmut Rahn completes a staggering comeback as the Germans win 3-2 for their first ever world cup.
26: Korea stun Italy again! This time South Korea in 2002 as Ahn-Jung-Hwan scores a golden goal to knock his employers out of the world cup.
25: Dennis Bergkamp magic against Argentina in 1998. The Dutchman controls a long ball from the edge of the area, turns it past an Argentinean defender and rifles the ball past the goalkeeper in one swift movement to send the Dutch to the semi finals of the competition.
24: Rene Higuita's back pass and Roger Milla's dance. The eccentric Colombian tries to control the ball well outside his box, but his caught in possession by Milla, the 38 year old races towards the open goal and does his famous celebration to see the first African side into World Cup quarter finals.
23: The Battle of Santiago in 1962. A game between hosts Chile and the fancied Italian side is marred as both sets of players conduct violent tackles and assaults on each other from the off. Humberto Maschio's nose was broken as police had to intervene three times. Described as the dirtiest game ever by most journalists and historians. Chile won 2-0.
22: Paulo Rossi scores a hat-trick against Brazil in the second round as Italy cruise 3-1. He would score six in the tournament and go onto win the world cup for Italy and cap an amazing comeback after being banned for 2 years for alleged match fixing.
21: Argentinean captain, Antonio Rattin is sent off against England in 1966 at Wembley. Taking minutes to leave the pitch, England coach Alf Ramsey branded the Argentina team 'animals' and refused to allow any of his players to swap shirts with the opposing players at the final whistle.
20: Pele creates magic for Brazil in 1970. The outrageous dummy against Uruguay, the lob against Peru and his opening headed goal against Italy in the final announced Pele as one of the world's greatest players.
19: English referee Jack Taylor awards Holland a 1st minute penalty against host Germany in the final. Neeskens scores it but Germany win 2-1.
18: Andres Escobar of Colombia scores an own goal against the USA to knock his side out of the World Cup. Later on arrival in his home country he is shot dead.
17: John Aldridge and Jack Charlton explode against Fifa officials as Ireland get annoyed at their delayed time to make a substitution. Their collective rants are picked up by nearby TV mics. Charlton receives a ban from the dugout and Ireland get beat against Holland in the 2nd round.
16: Michael Owen scores a wonder goal in St-Etienne against Argentina in 1998 as England pull 2-1 in front in their round 2 clash.
15: Archie Gemmill scores an equally wonder goal against Holland in 1978 in a game the Scottish team needed to win by 3 goals. Scotland could only win 3-2 and Gemmill's goal was scant consolation as the Scots were sent packing.
14: Maradona tests positive for ephedrine in USA in 1994 and was sent home in disgrace.
13: David Beckham becomes the enemy of 50 million English people as his petulant red card for kicking out at Diego Simone costs England in their 2nd round encounter against Argentina in France 98.
12: Geoff Hurst and 'that' goal in 1966. Did it cross the line or didn't it? Well the Russian referee agreed and England went ahead in extra-time.
11: Baggio skies his penalty kick in the 1994 final shootout against Brazil.
10: Dutch player Frank Rijkaard spits at the back of Rudi Voller's head in 1990 as two bitter rivals face off in Italia 90. Both players were sent off for the incident.
9: Cameroon assault Claudio Cannigia in USA 94. First Kana-Biyick saw red for a challenge on the striker and then a three man assault on the player ended with Benjamin Massing body checking him onto the ground and out of the stadium.
8: Johann Cruyff turn. The Dutch maestro first shows the world his patented turn during a match with Sweden in 1974.
7: The greatest goal ever? Carlos Alberto caps an incredible team goal in the 1970 final against Italy as Brazil sweep past their oppenents 4-1.
6: Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga runs out of his wall to smash the ball into the stands as the Brazilians line up their free-kick. He recieved a yellow card as a result. Zaire crash out out of the tournament in 1974 with 0 goals and 0 points. A rare comical moment.
5: Harold Schumacher commits assault. In the 1982 semi final between France and Germany, fresh substitute Patrick Battiston is put clear at 1-1. A clear run at goal, the German keeper comes flying out of his box and nowhere near the ball to crash cynically straight into the Frenchman. Lying unconscious on the pitch, the referee does not award anything but a goal kick nor gives the keeper a card, as France lose a thrilling game on penalties after drawing 3-3 in normal time.
4: Paul Gascogine breaks down in tears in 1990 in England's semi final with Germany in Turin. A late challenge against Thomas Berthold and the subsequent booking means that he would miss the final should England get there.
3: Tardelli celebration. Marco Tardelli of Italy produces an iconic image as he celebrates Italy's 2nd goal against Germany in the final to cap their win.
2: England's Gordon Banks produces a world class save against Pele in 1970 as he somehow manages to tip the Brazilians header over the bar from a near impossible angle.
1: Maradona's infamous Hand of God goal against England in 1986.