I didn't think of that one because it wasn't just him. Though his part was incredible. FSP was great that day as well.
My most memorable individual "club side" performance for a player goes along the lines of this memorable conversation/dispute: Romario (on the eve of a match vs. hated rivals Real Madrid) to (his equally mercurial coach) Johan Cryuff after a practice session at Camp Nou: Romario: "Listen coach, after I'm finished training today I'm going off to Rio de Janeiro for Carnaval in 8 days". Cryuff: "Oh no you're not." Romario: "Oh yes I am". Cryuff thinks for a moment and replies: "Ok, tell you what, net me a hat trick on Sunday and you're free to go!". Final score of that match: FC Barcelona 5 - Real Madrid 0. Romario scores 3 goals.
Another one I just remembered - several great games by Toldo during Euro 2000, and especially the semifinal against Netherlands, where Italy was down to 10 men early on, he saved a penalty in the first half and hypnotized his opponents to miss other 4 penalties (1 during the game and 3 in the shootout).
Rivaldo's hattrick... in my mind, the 3 most perfect goals you'll see in a match against quality opposition that was of the utmost importance.
Pele had a killer game vs. Italy in the 1970 WC final--the opening goal (thunderous header); and a sweet pass leading to Carlos Alberto's thumping goal to finish off the game, 4-1. Maradona vs. Belgium at the 86 'WC was probably one the most stunning individual efforts in history. How he made them pay for the '82 mauling; two superb goals were enough. Many other examples come to mind. Nesta vs. Holland at Euro 2000, Zidane in the '98 WC final, Ronaldo's brace vs. Germany at Japanorea . . .
Let's not forget Dino Zoff's saves against Brazil. His save were just as vital as Rossi's hat-trick. I also want to mention about Ilie Dumitrescu's performance for Romania against Argentina at USA 94. Prior to that second round match, Dumitrescu was in poor form and Radacioiu was unavailable due to suspension. Ilie finally lifted his game, scoring a double in a seven-minute spell in the first half and he had set up a goal for Hagi in the second half.
Beckham against Greece a few years ago. The guy hasn't had a game anywhere near that, before or since. He was 4 players on the day. Every blade of grass was covered and owned, and then to step up like he did in the closing moments and send us to the World Cup was unreal.
That pass was very simple though. Anyone could have done that. And that team was so dominant that Pele wasn't really much of a gamebreaker... at least in that match.
thought I'd add couple more... Jamie Carragher against Milan in the CL final... one of the best displays I've seen from a centerback after liverpool switched to 3 in the back. A truly heroic performance. Ryan Giggs vs. Arsenal in the 99 FA Cup semi-final replay... what a goal. what a goal.
Somewhat overlooked as a potential obvious first choice: Geoff Hurst, England v. W. Germany, 1966 WC Final -- the only hat trick in a final ever. Also some older performances: Vava and Pele, 2 goals each for Brazil in the '58 final Pele, hat trick in '58 semis, leading Brazil to 5-3 win over France Rahn, 2 goals for W. Germany in 1954 upset of Hungary in final Colaussi and Piola, 2 goals each for Italy in '38 final
Very simple view of things...and very wrong. If that team was dominant, it was in large part because he played his role to perfection...don't know how you missed that. As for that game, in addition to the no-look pass for the fourth (which took high footballing IQ), and out-jumping his taller defender for the first goal(athleticism), Sempre forgot to mention that he also layed down a perfect pass with his head (controlling a 40 meter long pass from Gerson) right onto the path of Jairzinho...who only needed to mishit the ball for it to go in. That was probably the best piece of skill of the the three goals he was directly involved in on the day. Making things look simple doesn't mean they are simple (especially on the biggest stage). He was dominant; in a very clinical manner. You should read what Faschetti had to say about the difference between the two teams that day. He doesn't share your view.
Francesco Totti vs. France in the Euro 2000 final. He took full control of the midfield, giving a neat backheel to Pesotto who then crossed it to Delvecchio who scored. He was making passes all game, even setting Del Piero up for the game winner (which that bastard missed). He was named man of the match.
Greatest performance by a goalkeeper in a tournament IMO. He even made nice saves in the final, diving at a loose ball in extra time in the box and Trezeguet kicked him in the nose. Trez was only given a yellow, it was red card worthy foul IMO, and if he had been sent off he wouldn't have scored the golden goal...
Agreed, although he did let in what I perceive to be a "softie" by Socrates. I am adamant that the save in the dying minutes on that Zico header is the most spectacular save I've ever seen. It was similar to that Banks save vs. Pele in that he was falling backwards, except what seperates the two to me is not only did he stop a powerful header which was wonderful enough, but he also held it with two hands while falling to the ground preventing any rebound. Look closely at Zico's reaction he was so confident it was a goal he was celebrating as it'd left his head.
Hey tpm--where can I find those Facchetti comments? A great defender, but out-classed by Pele utterly. By the way I wanted to write this in a pm but your damn Inbox is full. Get to work cleaning!
Nigel Spink in the 1982 European Cup final against Bayern Munich. He came on as a sub after ten minutes when Jimmy Rimmer's back couldn't hold up. I think it was one of Spink's first appearances in the Villa first team and his performance in the second half was remarkable.
Didn't Puskas also net three in the '62 final (though they lost)? Goycoechea is another goalkeeper who only came on becaue of injury to the first choice netminder (Pumpido).
Emilio Butragueño against Denmark in WC86. Singlehandedly took apart a side that was threatening to do some damage.
Yes. This deserves special mention. It was one of the most amazing GK performances. Yes he did. Masterful in a losing cause. As for the Eintracht (sp) game, its hard to decided who had the better game between DiStefano and Puskas.
Great list so far. I'd like to go back in time and nominate some great exhibitions not yet mentioned, and that I have personally seen: Eusebio w/ Portugal against N.Korea at WC 1966 After having eliminated Italy in the group stage, the Koreans seemed to be on their way to continuing their miracle run by going up 3-0 on the Portuguese within the first 25 minutes. When it looked like curtains for the Portuguese, the Black Panther sprung into action. By the 59th minute Portugal was up 4-3, with Eusebio having bagged all four goals. They went on to win 5-3. His performance that day is the stuff of legend. WC 1966: Portugal x N.Korea Garrincha w/ Brasil against England quarters of WC 1962 Garrincha decides to leave the friendly confines of the right wing and torment England all over the offensive third. Scores twice in the 3-1 victory (with a header off of a corner, and with a long distance bomb into the upper right 90-degrees), and is directly involved in the other goal. He also finds time to save a stray dog in the middle of the match Pele w/ Santos against Benfica for World Club Championship 1962 The first leg was won by Santos in Rio 3-2. Upon arriving in Lisbon, the Santos team was surprised to find out that tickets were already being sold for the third leg - only necessary if Benfica were to win the second. Santos absolutely crushed Eusebio and Coluna's European champion's team on their home ground of the Stadium of Light, with Pele putting on a master exhibition. Santos 4 - Benfica 0. Pele with three goals and an assist; in addition to a series of ridiculous individual plays (including nutmeging the great Coluna twice on one play). Biggest mistake of my life was not getting a copy of this game when i had a chance Netzer w/ W.Germany against England first leg of quarter finals for Euro Championships 1972 Back in the days when you played these as home and away series, Netzer completely dominates the midfield in this encounter. Galloping runs, and brilliant passing. Germany effectively killed the tie with their 3-1 win. TheFA.com - Today was the day...
Another great GK performance: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Japan) against Brazil in 1996 Olympics. Japan won 1-0 thanks to him!