Soundoff: What’s Your Favourite World Cup Moment?

Cahill’s two goals against Japan. 2006 World Cup. Nothing much can be said other than it changed my life, and the life of many others.

I am Colombian so you can probably know how I feel about that goal…the whole nation was in shock

The headbut of Zidan which highlithed the news for not for how a great player ended his career but for how he got easily provoked…

Berne, 1954:
HUNGARY : GERMANY 3 : 2.

Radio reporter: “Over! Over! Over ! The match is over !!! Germany are world champions !!!”

I was 12 then.

My favorite World Cup moment was during the group stages in France 98 when Mexico was down 2-1 in extra time against Holland and Luis Hernandez “El Matador” tied it during the last few seconds. The worst was Korea Japan 2002 when Mexico was eliminated by the US in the round of 16… most frustrating game ever!

That tie against Holland meant Mexico qualified to the next round!

Cameroon beating Argentina in the opening match in 1990. It was such a monumental shock at the time – African’s were truly considered as no-hopers at that time (wrongly of course, but that was certainly the feeling at the time) and Argentina were reigning champions and still had Maradona, although clearly past his best.

Cameroon were tough and more than a bit dirty it has to be said. They had two brothers playing in the side, and one of them was sent off midway through the second half. Minutes later his brother scores the goal.

After that it was the Claudio Caniggia show, as he raced at Cameroon as the defenders took turns to try and decapitate him. One memorable run ended after Caniggia had skipped past one reckless challenge, hurdled the next (yep, it was that high) and then hadn’t quite fully regained his balance before being spectacularly taken out at waist height – leading to Cameroon’s red card. Great entertainment!

Of course Cameroon went on to light up that tournament, although it was Argentina who somehow reached the Final.

Like all Scotland (and Trainspotting) fans, for me it will always be Archie Gemmill in 1978 against Holland. I could recreate that goal in legos, mashed potatoes or any other medium at will – it’s burned into my mind. I’ve been shown the video since birth, and only wish I was born a few years earlier so I could have been old enough to enjoy it myself.

Ah, the Rent Boy… “I haven’t felt that good since Archie Gemmill scored against Holland in 1978!”

Zidane headbutt because it grabbed national media atention in the USA

Lilian Thuram’s two miraculous goals in the France-Croatia semi-final at France 98. Just two minutes after Suker had put Croatia ahead, letting the air out of the stadium. What an amazing moment.

Shameless plug: I’ve been working on a website http://scoreshelf.com just a hobby not for profit!

As the sharpest among you will have noticed:
Of course it must read:

“Berne 1954:
HUNGARY : GERMANY: 2 : 3″

BTW, my second most thrilling moment a few minutes earlier (score Hungary – Germany 2 : 2 – after 2 : 0 half time):
“Rahn müsste schiessen … Rahn schießt … Tooor ! Tooor! Tooor! 3 zu 2 für Deutschland !!!!”
(”Rahn ought to shoot … Rahn’s shooting … Goal ! Goal ! Goal ! 3 : 2 for Germany !!!!”

Zidanes two goals vs Brazil in 98. Actually that entire 98 cup was very very memorable to me. France vs Croatia sticks out too. But Zizous brace was the moment that ensured I would be addicted to the beautiful game forever. I remember sprinting around the field/ projector I was watching on as it happened.

The atmosphere after the last-minute goal against poland was immense for a 2nd game of a team in a WC(scored by Neuville, 2mins. after a double crossbar by Ballack and Klose;Westfalenstadion,Dortmund).
I cant imagine that there was any louder moment in a stadium ever :)

Zidane’s goals in the 98 final. Had no idea who he was prior to that. Bought his jersey a week after and have never looked back.

Even though Zidane is God and France 1998! But for me the greatest World cup moment was the 1970 Brazil vs. Italy.
Bar none the best of the best team to this date that won the cup.
The first goal a beautiful header by Pele will always be in my memories.

Zidane’s brace against Brazil in 1998 was the best moment ever.

Obviously being English I should say 1966. But as someone far too young to remember all that, I’ll say Gazza’s tears in Italy. Something about that moment, that image sums up my lifetime supporting England. So close, and yet so agonisingly far away.

Well 2006 is the only one that I can remember adequately and that I actually paid close attention to, I’m still a young pup. Germany-Costa Rica was killer and got me more stoked on the upcoming month than I had ever been about anything. Cheering on Trinidad and Tobago to their 0-0 draw with Sweden was fun, so was the Australia-Japan game. Portugal-Netherlands was hilarious to watch coming from a neutral. And even though I was forced to watch the final with family members who were more concerned with the color of socks and receding hairlines on some players, it was palpitating. BRING ON RSA2010 SUCKA!

Italy – Germany WC2006 – The best match of the entire World Cup

The Mexico-Argentina WC2006 game was classic, just damn that maxi rodriguez goal was beautiful just wish it hadn’t been done to Mexico

Zidane’s headbutt and Grosso’s pk to seal the victory for the azzurri.

I was also at the final game in Berlin so that adds to why its my favorite moment.

Definately Bergkamp’s goal!

Roberto Baggio’s penalty kick against Chile in 98′ to tie it up at 2-2.

To come back from missing that crucial penalty in the final in the US then to score again from the same spot at footballs greatest stage was incredible.

Klaus Fischer’s equalizing goal for West Germany in the 1982 WC semi versus France. A beautiful goal to be sure, but given the timing (Germans down 3:2 near the end of extra time) and the venue (WC semi versus a huge rival) made it spectacular. West Germany went on to win on penalties. The greatest football match I have ever seen, without question.

Geoff Hurst 1966, hat trick. Nough said.

Mexico 1970, WC Quarter Finals:
Germany trailing England 2 : 0, then winning 3 : 2, and England gone. Uwe Seeler’s header with his back to the goal !

The first minute of the 1974 Final-Holland vs West Germany. Johan Cruyff, one of my favourite players of all time, got the ball and ran towards the German goal. Was brought down by Berti Vogts in the box. Johan Neeskens converted the penalty. Unfortunately, Holland lost 2-1. Another example that the best team did not win the World Cup.

1982 Final-Italy vs West Germany. Marco Tardelli’s goal for Italy. How he ran in ecstasy! How the Italians celebrate a goal! Bodies piled on top of one another. That’s the way to celebrate a goal!

Well 2006 is the only one that I can remember adequately and that I actually paid close attention to, I’m still a young pup. Germany-Costa Rica was killer and got me more stoked on the upcoming month than I had ever been about anything. Cheering on Trinidad and Tobago to their 0-0 draw with Sweden was fun, so was the Australia-Japan game. Portugal-Netherlands was hilarious to watch coming from a neutral. And even though I was forced to watch the final with family members who were more concerned with the color of socks and receding hairlines on some players, it was palpitating. BRING ON RSA2010 SUCKA!

Klaus Fischer’s equalizing goal for West Germany in the 1982 WC semi versus France. A beautiful goal to be sure, but given the timing (Germans down 3:2 near the end of extra time) and the venue (WC semi versus a huge rival) made it spectacular. West Germany went on to win on penalties. The greatest football match I have ever seen, without question.

Italy – Germany WC2006 – The best match of the entire World Cup

Maybe not the BEST moment, but definitely memorable: Italy- South Korea. It had everything: coaching mistakes, player's mistakes, referees mistakes(maybe should've mentioned in the first place)… well, mainly mistakes, but also a lot of emotion (mostly negative). So, an infamously thrilling game. Also, the best story of the Japanese-Korean World Cup was Senegal and their upsets against France and others. It was a great team.