Most thrilling matches In FIFA World Cup history

FIFA World Cup is the most attractive and watched event in the world at the moment. No event can match the intensity and thrill of this highly popular tournament. Viewers keep counting on the number of days and waits for lengthy 4 years to catch their most loved event live. The alluded competition features the best soccer playing nations in the world and has produced a big number of thrilling matches throughout it’s history. In this content, we will bring you the list of most thrilled FIFA world cup matches in the history.

List of Most Thrilling Matches in FIFA WC History

West Germany vs Italy (Semifinal, 1970)

Many of the analysts and experts have labelled this world cup semifinal as the “Game of the Century”.  In a 7 goal thriller, the 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw where Italy were leading until the 89th but a Karl-Heinz Schnellinger strike brought back Germany in the game. The match went to the extra time and it was perhaps one of the best extra times in the world cup history. Spectators enjoyed as many as 5 goals during those 30 minutes! Legendary Gerd Muller scored a brace for the Germans, Burgnich and Riva also scored one each for the Italians. But it was Rivera who stole all the spotlight with his 11th minute decider which sent Azzurris to the final.

Argentina vs England (Quarterfinal, 1986)

Perhaps the most memorable and discussed match in the world cup history. The score line of the match read a 2-1 after the final whistle which is neither an uncommon nor a special card at all. But one can’t judge the specialty of this match by having a look at the score card. It was the man, the myth, the legend: Diego Maradona who has made this game such memorable. The opening strike of the game came during the 51st minute of the game and guess the source, it was nothing but Diego’s hand which went on to be named as the “Hand of the God”. And just 4 minutes later, the Argentine legend dribbled past Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, Terry Fenwick, (once again) Butcher and Peter Shilton and scored the “Goal of the Century” to give Argentina 2 goals lead. On the 81st minute, Lineker scored to minimize the difference but England couldn’t find enough answer for Diego’s brilliance and Albicelestes made it to the semifinal.

France vs West Germany (Semifinal, 1982)

2 European heavyweights Germany and France came face to face with each other in a very crucial semifinal game of the 1982 Spain WC. Both the side featured a number of superstars. The 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw where Littabarski’s opener was matched by Platini’s clean strike from the spot. But the spectators had another superb extra time thriller to watch. 1, 2, 3, 4; yes 4 goals were scored during those intense 30 minutes. France found themselves with a comfortable 3-1 position on the 99th minute but they somehow conceded 2 goals within 5 minutes and blew away the chance of reaching the final. West Germany goal stopper Harald Schumacher’s brutal tackle on France’s Patrick Battiston knocked the subbed French man unconscious. The defender eventually had to leave the pitch with two missing teeth and three cracked ribs! However, the Germans who made a comeback from 2 goals’ trailing had the final laugh as they got the better of Les Bleus in the shoot-outs with a 5-4 victory on penalties.

Ghana vs Uruguay (Quarterfinal, 2010)

One of the most exciting finishes in the recent world cup history. Ghanaian midfielder Muntari’s 45th minute opener was canceled out by Diego Forlan’s 55th minute equalizer. The game went onto the extra time. Things were heading towards a penalty shoot-out but the biggest drama in the game occurred. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez used his hand to save a clear attempt made by the African country and the ball couldn’t go past the goal line. Referee showed Luis a direct red but Gyan failed to convert on the very last moment of the game. The match eventually went to the shoot-out but the ghost once again haunted the Ghanaians and the Latin side reached to the semi.

Belgium vs Japan (Round of 16, 2018)

Belgium reached the round of 16 in Russia with 3 straight wins and were the clear favorites in this game. But the Japanese side had some other ideas. Despite playing superb football, Lukaku’s number missed chances saw the Red Devils trailing by 2 goals to nil on the 52nd minute. It seemed like that the Asian side has done enough to reach the quarterfinal stage for the first time in their history. They were able to hold back the European giants until the 68th minute. But on the 69th Jan Vertonghen scored from a header and 5 minutes later Fellaini put his side on level pegging thanks to his powerful head. It was the height issue which helped Roberto Martinez’s side against a comparatively shorter Asian opponent. But the biggest surprise of the game was reserved for it’s finishing part. Japan earned a corner during the latest phase of the game but Belgium got the ball back and went to make a counter attack. De Bruyne built up a superb chance, Lukaku played a dummy and Nacer Chadli stole all the limelight to score on the 94th minute to send Belgium to the quarterfinal for the 2nd consecutive time.