It’s not exactly been a vintage tournament but can it end with a classic final? We take a look back at some of the best World Cup deciders of the past.
Spain and Holland are two of football’s traditional purists, although the Dutch have slacked off in that regard during this tournament, with serial shinpad snapper Marc van Bommel having become arguably their most important player.
To whet the appetite we’ll take a look back at some of the best showpiece games in the tournament’s history.
West Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954)
Dubbed ‘The Miracle of Berne’, West Germany’s victory over Hungary in the 1954 final was a shock to rival any in World Cup history.
Hungary, who had the legendary Ferenc Puskás at their disposal, were the form team going into the final. They had beaten West Germany 8-3 in the group stages and when they took a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes another hammering looked on the cards.
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Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)
Not only was the 1970 final one of the best World Cup matches in history, it also showcased one of the most famous goals of all time scored by arguably the greatest team of all time.
This was the Brazil of Pelé, Tostão, Jairzinho and Rivelino, and their crowning glory was an unforgettable 4-1 win over Italy.
It was fluid attack against Italy’s tactical defensive ‘catenaccio’ approach, and beautiful adventurous football won out.
Fittingly the victory, which immortalised that crop of Brazilian players, was capped with Carlos Alberto’s now legendary goal.
Brazil 1-2 Uruguay (1950)
The biggest crowd in World Cup history saw one of the biggest final shocks ever. Brazil were favourites to secure their first World Cup triumph and, given the structure of the competition – never used before or since – required only a draw in their final group game against Uruguay to lift the trophy.
As expected Brazil took the lead but then came the response that no-one had anticipated. Juan Schiaffino netted after 66 minutes and Alcides Ghiggia completed the turnaround.
England 4-2 West Germany (1966)
We don’t just think its all over, we know its all over. In fact it finished over 40 years ago yet we are still force-fed stories and tales of England’s greatest yet ancient World Cup performance. Begrudgingly, however, JOE has to admit this decider was a classic.
The Three Lions may have turned into three kittens and English fans could be singing of 130 years of hurt before they win their next World Cup, but they can always lay claim to being part of one of the greatest ever finals. It’s a script Hollywood would drool over: two fierce rivals, controversy and an invasion (a pitch invasion).
Argentina 3-2 West Germany (1986)
The crowning glory of Diego Maradona’s World Cup. Maradona, as Des Lynam says, had dominated proceedings and proved his greatness on the biggest stage of all. He failed to add to his repertoire of spectacular (or controversial) goals in the final but the game was no less memorable for that, with the West Germans playing their part in an exceptional game.
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West Germany 2-1 Holland (1974)
Sometimes, football isn’t just football. The 1974 World Cup final was one of those occasions. Just three decades after the conclusion of World War II, the Dutch met their war-time aggressors in Munich. A goal up inside a minute, they famously wanted not just to defeat the Germans, but to humiliate them. Caught up in the emotion of it all, one of history’s most unforgettable football teams were unable to close the deal.
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