Here are the 18 best World Cup Goals of all time.
#18. 2010 | Luis Suarez (Uruguay) vs. South Korea
You can’t talk about recent World Cups without mentioning Suarez, and this brilliant effort showcased the less bitey side of his game.
#17. 1978 | Archie Gemmill (Scotland) vs. Netherlands
Scotland hasn’t qualified for a World Cup in 20 years, but this goal from the ’78 tournament gives the Tartan Army reason to reminisce over the glory days.
#16. 1982 | Marco Tardelli (Italy) vs. West Germany
The delirious celebration from Tardelli is now iconic, but this World Cup-winning goal from the Juventus legend deserves its own praise.
#15. 2006 | Fabio Grosso (Italy) vs. Germany
For 118 minutes, the 2006 semifinal between Italy and Germany held the title of the greatest 0-0 match of all time. That ended in minute 119, when Andrea Pirlo teed up Grosso for this finish.
#14. 2002 | Edmilson (Brazil) vs. Costa Rica
A twisting, turning overhead kick, this is the only goal Edmilson would score in his 40 appearances for Brazil. If you’re just gonna score one, do it like this.
#13. 1998 | Michael Owen (England) vs. Argentina
At just 18 years of age, Owen secured his legend with this remarkable solo goal in the Round of 16. His legend pretty much ended there as well.
#12. 1994 | Saeed Owairan (Saudi Arabia) vs. Belgium
Here’s a solo goal unlike any other. Owairan takes control in his own half, sprints beyond five Belgian defenders and smashes a finish to trigger one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
#11. 2006 | Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina) vs. Serbia & Montenegro
One of the greatest World Cup team goals of all time, Argentina used 25 passes to breakdown the defense, reaching a climax when Hernan Crespo used a back heel lay off to set up Cambiasso for the finish.
#10. 2006 | Joe Cole (England) vs. Sweden
A dipping, swerving and absolutely outlandish strike from Joe Cole. Just put this goal straight into my veins.
#9. 1982 | Eder (Brazil) vs. USSR
The dummy. The first touch that pops the ball up off the ground. The venomous half volley. It’s all so Brazilian.
#8. 2014 | Robin van Persie (Netherlands) vs. Spain
This is truly the most memorable header in the history of the World Cup. RVP became a viral sensation after achieving lift-off against Spain in Brazil.
#7. 1986 | Manuel Negrete (Mexico) vs. Bulgaria
A truly spectacular effort from the Pumas legend, this scissor kick really defies explanation.
#6. 2010 | Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands) vs. Uruguay
A 35-yard howitzer, this is the finest long-range strike in the history of the World Cup. The timing wasn’t bad either — it helped send the Netherlands into the 2010 final.
#5. 2014 | James Rodriguez (Colombia) vs. Uruguay
A goal so good that Real Madrid said, “Yeah, here’s $86 million. We’ll take him.”
#4. 1998 | Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands) vs. Argentina
One of the greatest pieces of control in World Cup history, this Bergkamp masterpiece arrived in the 90th-minute to send the Netherlands into the ’98 semifinals.
#3. 2006 | Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina) vs. Mexico
The goal of the 2006 tournament, Rodriguez’s immaculate left-footed volley from 20 yards out sent Argentina through to the quarters while Mexico went crashing out.
#2. 1970 | Carlos Alberto (Brazil) vs. Italy
To paraphrase Eric Cantona, within this goal there is an expression of beauty that touches us and gives us a feeling of eternity. Yeah, Pele’s final pass is that good.
#1. 1986 | Diego Maradona (Argentina) vs. England
It’s commonly known as the “Goal of the Century,” and that’s because it is the goal of the century.
