The most iconic moments in World Cup history.

An own goal and the tragic end of Escobar (1994)

Colombia arrived at the 1994 World Cup with high expectations, boasting stars like Carlos Valderrama and Faustino Aprilla… When speaking of their neighbors, Brazilian legend Pele even predicted they would reach the semi-finals. However, a campaign that began with hope ended in tragedy.

In their first match, Colombia lost to Romania. This forced Colombia to defeat the host nation, the USA, in the next round. But instead, they suffered a 1-2 defeat with an own goal by Andres Escobar. The central defender put the ball into the net from a not-so-dangerous cross from the opponent, gifting the USA a goal.

Colombia failed to advance, and Escobar bore the brunt of the gang's wrath upon his return home. The defender was shot dead in Medellin. Many believe it was revenge from the gang for losing a significant amount of money due to the team's actions.

Controversial hat-trick helps England win (1966)

In 1966, England reached the final. In the match at Wembley Stadium that year between England and West Germany, the two teams finished the regular time in a 2-2 draw. Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored for England, while Helmut Haller and Wolfgang Weber scored for the visitors.

In extra time, Hurst became an immortal legend for the Three Lions. In the 11th minute, his shot hit the crossbar, bounced down, and the referee awarded the goal. Many argued that the ball hadn't crossed the goal line, making the goal invalid. But the goal was still awarded to England.

Before extra time ended, Hurst scored his third goal with a powerful shot into the top corner of the net. He became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, and England won their first and only major title ever.

Suarez bites Chiellini (2014)

Luis Suarez has a history of biting opponents. Before the 2014 World Cup, the Uruguayan striker was involved in two similar incidents while playing for Ajax and Liverpool.

In Uruguay's final group stage match, Suarez lost control due to frustration. During a scuffle with Giorgio Chiellini, he bit the Italian defender on the shoulder, leaving a wound that Chiellini didn't hesitate to show to the cameras.

The referee initially ignored the altercation. However, FIFA reviewed the footage and banned Suarez from playing football for four months. This was the longest penalty ever imposed for such a foul. As a result, Uruguay lost their star striker for the remainder of the tournament.

Suarez uses his hand to make a goal-line save (2010)

In the quarter-final match against Ghana, Suarez made a blatant handball right on the goal line. Towards the end of the match, with the score at 0-0, Ghana launched a sharp attack, with Appiah putting the ball into the penalty area. But before it crossed the line, Suarez used both hands to block it.

This incident resulted in Suarez being sent off and Uruguay being awarded a penalty. However, Gyan missed the penalty. Uruguay subsequently won the match on penalties, eliminating Ghana – the last remaining African team in the tournament. Meanwhile, Suarez declared himself a hero, saying, "I made the best save of the tournament."

Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 (2014)

Never before in World Cup history has there been a result as shocking as what happened at the Mineirao stadium on July 8, 2014. Despite the absence of Neymar due to injury and Thiago Silva due to suspension, host nation Brazil had high expectations for their semi-final match against Germany.

Roberto Baggio missed his penalty.

Roberto Baggio could be considered the best player in the world in 1994, a period when Serie A and Italian football truly dominated. At that year's World Cup, Baggio carried the hopes of an entire football nation on his shoulders. In fact, the striker performed well, scoring in the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals to lead the Azzurri to the final.

In the match against Brazil, the two sides were tied 0-0 in regular time. Extra time was also tied, forcing Brazil and Italy into a penalty shootout. There, Baggio missed his decisive penalty. His shot over the crossbar officially handed the championship to Brazil, and the star player collapsed on the field in pain.

Pele's show (1958)

During his illustrious career, Pele won three World Cups. But it was his first title in 1958 that was the most impressive. That year, Pele participated before he was even 18 years old. At this age, Pele already knew how to make a strong impression on the world's biggest stage.

He scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals. In the final against Sweden, Pele continued his dazzling display with the ball. He scored a memorable goal with a skillful flick over the defender and a powerful volley into the bottom corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Kalle Svensson with no chance to save it.

Before the match ended, Pele scored one more goal, helping Brazil win 5-2 and claim the 1958 World Cup title. This remains the Selecao's only victory on European soil (the 1958 World Cup was held in Sweden).

Diego Maradona scored the 'goal of the century'.

In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, Diego Maradona scored a goal that, to this day, no one has been able to replicate in the World Cup. Receiving the ball in his own half, Maradona turned and began to glide.

He beat Peter Beardsley, then Peter Reid, before gliding past both Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick right outside the penalty area. Finally, Maradona skillfully beat legend Peter Shilton before finishing into an empty net. This goal secured Argentina's 2-1 victory over England and their place in the final.

Zidane received a red card for headbutting Materazzi (2006)

Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest players of all time, but his most memorable moment was headbutting Materazzi in the chest during the 2006 World Cup final.

During injury time, as Zidane approached Materazzi, the two got into an argument. Zidane turned around and, without hesitation, headbutted Materazzi in the chest. The Italian defender rolled on the ground, and the referee immediately gave Zidane a red card. Zidane ended his final World Cup in the most forgettable way possible.

The match ended with a victory for Italy as they defeated France on penalties. To this day, the image of Zidane bowing his head as he walked past the World Cup trophy remains an unforgettable image in the history of the tournament.

Messi wins 'the greatest final of all time'.

In the eyes of many football fans, both young and old, the 2022 World Cup final remains the best match in World Cup history. The scenario on the field unfolded with unbelievable twists and turns, bringing indescribable emotions to fans worldwide.

'The Hand of God' (1986)

Many experts agree that the most iconic moment in World Cup history is the legendary handball goal by Diego Maradona in the 1986 quarter-final against England. In that match, Maradona scored two goals. While the second was considered the most beautiful solo effort of the century, his first was arguably the most controversial.

At the start of the second half, following a pass from a teammate, Maradona leaped for a header. But instead of using his head, he punched the ball straight into the net with his hand. At the moment of contact, the Argentinian legend cleverly positioned his left arm behind his head to deceive referee Ali Bin Nasser.

The goal was awarded, giving Argentina a 2-1 victory over England before going on to win the tournament. Maradona later described the goal as "a little bit of Maradona's head and a little bit of God's hand." That quote has become immortal, used to describe what is considered the "most memorable" moment in World Cup history.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhung-khoanh-khac-kinh-dien-nhat-lich-su-world-cup-post1848696.tpo