The day football fans have been waiting for is finally here!
Today, football history will be written as Argentina and France battle it out for the 2022 World Cup.
As we all prepare to watch it all unfold, here are Malta Daily’s ‘Top 5 World Cup Final’ Moments: (in no particular order)
The stunning Carlos Alberto goal – Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)
It is somewhat extraordinary that arguably the greatest team goal in World Cup history was scored during a final.
In the 1970 final, the last Brazil goal was scored by captain Carlos Alberto, rounding off a stunning move with a brilliant finish.
It was a moment that summed up everything that is Brazilian football.
The Zinedine Zidane headbutt – Italy 1-1 France (5-3 after penalties) (2006)
Zinedine Zidane’s glorious playing career ended in the most controversial of circumstances.
In the 2006 final, Zidane was dismissed for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi.
Referee Horacio Elizondo initially missed the incident but sent Zidane off on the advice of the fourth official.
The Mario Gotze extra time winner – Germany 1-0 Argentina (2014)
It was a flash of individual brilliance that decided the tournament. After scoring the only goal of a tight, tense World Cup final in the 24th minute of extra time, Mario Gotze was the second player in the World Cup to be nicknamed “Super Mario.”
What was supposed to be Lionel Messi’s big moment, ended up being a bit of a nightmare. This was the match that would have see him assume his rightful position alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as the greatest individuals to ever play the beautiful game. (Since then, it is safe to say, he has assumed his position)
The Andres Iniesta extra time winner – Spain 1-0 Netherlands (2010)
World Cup finals are where great players can become legends. Andres Iniesta achieved precisely that in 2010.
The moment was made all the more touching by Iniesta’s t-shirt sporting a message in memory of Spanish footballer Daniel Jarque, who had tragically died just a year earlier.
The Ronaldo Mystery – France 3-0 Brazil (1998)
Shortly before the 1998 final, rumours began to circulate that the Brazilian’s star striker Ronaldo had been left out of the starting eleven.
When the teamsheet was initially issued 72 minutes before kick-off, Ronaldo was entirely absent.
In something that is still a mystery, Ronaldo was reintroduced to the team in the last minutes before the game, however failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him during that day.
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