JOE SportsTube: Top World Cup goals

The World Cup has always been the place for the best of the best and that is no different when it comes to goals.

The goals in this year’s tournament will no doubt reflect the immense quality and talent on display in South Africa, but here on JOE’s World Cup SportsTube we are going to look back instead of forward and indulge in the greatest ever World Cup goals.

10. Jared Borgetti (Mexico v Italy, South Korea/Japan, 2002)

Mexico did their best Argentina impression keeping hold of the ball and testing Trap’s then Italian defence. As per usual a Trapattoni-marshalled rearguard stood firm. That was until, however, Borgetti got his head onto a relatively nothing ball and produced the best headed finish a World Cup has ever seen.

9. Fernando Torres (Spain v Ukraine, Germany, 2006)

This goal had it all. A bit of grit followed by guile, a header and then an exquisite and emphatic finish from Torres. This is the kind of move that has many people backing Spain to win the upcoming World Cup.

8. Gheorghe Hagi (Romania v Columbia, USA, 1994)

Hugging the touchline 30 yards out Hagi had no right even to try an attempt on goal, but try and subsequently succeed he did. Hagi literally floats the ball into the back of the net.

 

7. Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro, Germany, 2006)

One of the greatest team goals ever scored at a World Cup. Argentina basically played piggy in the middle with Serbia before Cambiasso applied a stunning finish to a stunning move which included 24 passes. So good was the goal that within seconds of the ball hitting the back of the net Argentina were made tournament favourites, but they ultimately flattered to deceive and bowed out in the quarter-finals.

6. Archie Gemmell (Scotland v Holland, Argentina, 1978)

Livewire Scot Archie Gemmell ensured football immortality when he out-Dutched the Dutch with a brilliant bit of wing wizardry. The giant killing nature of the goal has probably made it more famous but nothing should take away from its brilliance.

5. Pele (Brazil v Sweden, Sweden, 1958)

At the tender of age of just 17 Pele gave the world a glimpse of the greatness that was to come. He showed amazing control, sensational ingenuity and great finishing skills in the biggest football game of them all, the World Cup final.

 

4. Manuel Negrete (Mexico v Bulgaria, Mexico, 1986)

JOE has often tried to emulate this effort throughout our entire headers-and-volleys career. However so perfect was Manuel Negrete’s scissors kick no amount of practice could see it imitated. Negrete outshone his legendary volley specialist team mate Hugo Sanchez with this sensational effort.

3. Dennis Bergkamp (Holland v Argentina, France, 1998)

With almost the last touch of a tight and tense encounter Dennis Bergkamp took the water that was Frank de Boer’s direct pass and turned it into a goal of vintage wine. Such brilliant touch, control, vision and finishing is made even more amazing by the pressure under which it was executed.

2. Diego Maradona (Argentina v England, Mexico, 1986)

In his 200-year career Jimmy Magee has seen some goals but summed this one up perfectly. This goal was ‘different class’. Maradona glided past six players before rounding Peter Shilton to register a goal that should have ensured his feet were mentioned in the same breath as God rather than his hand.

 

1. Carlos Alberto (Brazil v Italy, Mexico, 1970)

You’re the best team in the world, already being hailed as possibly the greatest of all time. You’re 3-1 up against Italy in the final of the World Cup so the trophy is effectively in the bag. What do you do? Sit back and enjoy the moment? No, you make sure of your legacy by scoring the best ever World Cup goal. Clodoaldo’s jinking run past four Italian players was just the start of it. Jairzinho and Pele also played key roles before the captain arrived on cue from right back. Perfection in football form.

 

For a different view, and a commentary from the scorer, see here: