With no matches to watch lately I asked myself which are the truly great football matches throughout history. After watching some footage to compensate for matches I hadn't seen before, my top 25 will be someting like this: 1 Italy-Germany 4-3 (1970) 2 Germany-France 3-3 (1982) 3 Liverpool-Milan 3-3 (2005) 4 Brazil-Uruguay 1-2 (1950) 5 France-Brazil 1-1 (1986) 6 Italy-Brazil 3-2 (1982) 7 Germany-Hungary 3-2 (1954) 8 England-Hungary 3-6 (1953) 9 Manchester United-Bayern München 2-1 (1999) 10 Brazil-Italy 4-1 (1970) 11 Belgium-USSR 4-3 (1986) 12 Denmark-USSR 4-2 (1985) 13 France-Portugal 3-2 (1984) 14 England-Germany 4-2 (1966) 15 Real Madrid-Barcelona 2-6 (2009) 16 Holland-Brazil 2-0 (1974) 17 Barcelona-Fortuna Düsseldorf 4-3 (1979) 18 Real Madrid-Eintr. Frankfurt 7-3 (1960) 19 Hungary-Uruguay 4-2 (1954) 20 Liverpool-Alavés 5-4 (2000) 21 Benfica-Real Madrid 5-3 (1962) 22 Ajax-Bayern München 4-0 (1973) 23 Liverpool-Arsenal 0-2 (1989) 24 Brazil-Holland 3-2 (1994) 25 Real Madrid-Barcelona 0-5 (1974) Agree? Disagree?
Spain vs Italy Euro 12 The 4-0 scoreline flatters Italy Andrea Pirlo went from 131 touches of the ball vs England to 81 vs Spain Italy went from having 68% possession of the ball against England to only 43% against spain This is a final mind you against one of the real heavyweights of international football(most world cups after Brazil) If anyone is in doubt about Xavi and his unique abilities to ccompletely dominate the flow of a match https://sp.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm33254068 The best international performance without goals I have ever seen
I won't try a list right now, and it's hard to mix games I didn't see in full with those I did (although maybe 'most defining' makes that easier in a way), but here are various candidates that could come to mind as great games (close ones, or big/great wins by a particular team) on a big stage.... Romania vs Argentina (1994) Belgium vs Japan (2018) Ajax vs Bayern Munich (1995) AC Milan vs Barcelona (1994) AC Milan vs Real Madrid (1989) Spain vs Yugoslavia (2000) Liverpool vs Newcastle (1996) Denmark vs Uruguay (1986) Coventry vs Tottenham (1987) Hungary vs Brazil (1966) Netherlands vs Argentina (1974)
11 more.... Spain vs Russia (2008) Netherlands vs Italy (2008) Netherlands vs France (2008) Argentina vs England (1998) Netherlands vs Argentina (1998) Argentina vs Netherlands (1978) Netherlands vs Scotland (1978) Manchester United vs Arsenal (1999 FA Cup) Liverpool vs Manchester United (1994) Colombia vs Argentina (1994) Brazil vs France (1958)
Let me come up a few not yet mentioned. Netherlands -- Italy 2000 Turkey-- Germany Euro 2008? Netherlands - Brazil 1974 N.Korea-Portugal 1966 Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid 2014 CL Final. Portugal-- England 2000 I saw a few matches mentioned from the 1986 WC Finals, but the Argentina-England match was missing. The dramas and the history before and during the game were enough to make it an all-time match. The Final between West Germany and Argentina had its moment. It was not a fun match, but we never saw an exciting WC Final after that match.
From the 86 World Cup I always felt France v USSR was one of the most entertaining I've ever seen. I suppose it doesn't get mentioned because it was during the group phase. Belgium v Paraguay was also exciting in its own way.
Rivaldo went on beast mode here @PDG1978 This could belong on the new thread I think the post denied rivaldo from putting on one of the all time champions league performances I also don't see how this is markedly inferior to what R9 did to Manchester United in 02/03
I certainly think the game is worth a mention on this thread, and remember it from the time. I'd probably have to review all the touches of Rivaldo/Figo/Beckham/Yorke etc to pick a Man of the Match as I don't have a strong recollection in that sense for the overall game, but given his impressive goals and setting up a couple of chances too I can see how Rivaldo would be in the frame. I don't really remember if it was one of his more consistently good performances overall or not. Talking of other threads, that's the Yorke/Cole combination goal I referred to on the strikers thread as you might have guessed. United were probably just as close to meriting the win as Barcelona were I tend to think.
I don't remember a thing about the USSR-France match. I just watched a highlight from Youtube. Anyway, the 1986 WC Finals had many good matches.
The post and also Sonny Anderson missing a chance from what would have been a glorious assist. Is R9 vs Man United seen as a superior performance? Let alone markedly superior....
That Italy side was exhausted, injured, and in the end also outnumbered. It's a brilliant performance but not an all time great performance IMO And Pirlo played an extra 30 minutes with a full team against England.