The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious event in world soccer. Eighty-one countries participate in the World Cup, hoping to win the greatest prize in the sport. Fans get treated to matches that are played with passion, unrivaled skill, and tenacity.
And when it comes to the tournament’s final match, these matches make for a very memorable day of soccer. With many teams participating over eight years, choosing which matches are truly memorable from a soccer history standpoint can be difficult. To make your task easier, we’ve narrowed this list of memorable games in the 21st century:
Ghana vs. Uruguay, 2010
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a tournament for the ages, not just because it was held in South Africa. With over 3 billion people watching, this World Cup had some of the most exciting games and moments in soccer history.
Ghana vs. Uruguay is one such game. In this match, Ghana went up 1-0 before Uruguay equalized and scored two goals in one minute to win 3-1. This game is remembered as one of the most thrilling matches ever played at the World Cup. Moreover, it is also a heartbreaking loss for Ghana; they were so close to advancing to the next round.
France vs. Argentina, 2018
One of the most memorable games in World Cup history, France vs. Argentina in 2018. This ended with a 4-3 win for Les Bleus. It was a game that introduced the world to Kylian Mbappe, who scored two goals and helped his team win their first World Cup since 1998.
Some controversial calls from the referees also marked the match. This includes a penalty awarded to France after an Argentinian defender handled the ball in his box. This game was so dramatic that it was voted one of the greatest matches ever played at the World Cup.
Netherlands vs. Spain, 2014
The 2014 World Cup was a tournament filled with surprises. Great teams like Spain, Germany, and Argentina failed to make it to the knockout stages. It was hard to predict how things might shake out. However, one thing we did know for sure: when Spain took on the Netherlands in the group stage, we were in for a treat.
The Spaniards came into the match as favorites. They had handily won their first two matches and were set to face a Dutch team that had struggled to win its first two games. However, then something happened: Netherlands humiliated Spain with a 5-1 loss, one of the most shocking results in World Cup history.
It was so shocking that even Robin Van Persie’s iconic header that opened up the scoring doesn’t even crack our top three most memorable moments from that game.
