Football is known as the king of sports for all the passion it raises across the planet. And one of the main reasons for its success is the quality of matches this sport has witnessed in its history.
The following list covers a grouping of games that reunite all the requisites in terms of technical quality, world stars, and dramatic outcomes. And an important matter to note is that the matches are ordered from the oldest to the most recent because ranking them in terms of importance would be an impossible feat.
Italy 4 – 3 Germany (1970)
FIFA World Cup tournaments host the best teams and athletes in sports history. That’s why it’s very common for audiences to witness some of the best games during this tournament every 4 years.
During the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Italy went ahead in the score from the 8th minute of the game, only to be tied to the score by Germany in the 92nd minute. In extra time, up to 5 goals were scored and Italy went through winning 4-3 in a game that hosted stars of the level of Gianni Rivera and Gerd Muller.
Argentina 2 – 1 England (1986)
Another legendary game in Mexico, this time for the 1986 World Cup that saw the best player in football history get crowned at the peak of its career: Diego Armando Maradona.
It wasn’t just a game for the Argentinean people as it was only years after the war exploded with Great Britain during the Falkland/Malvinas war.
To say that Maradona rose to the ranks of a national hero after this game is an understatement, as he scored a goal (later selected by FIFA as the Goal of the 20th Century) after dribbling thru 5 English players from the half-line.
Manchester United 2 – 1 Bayern München (1999)
Both clubs had just been crowned as league and cup champions in their respective countries before this Champions League Final.
Basler scored first for Bayern and the German team even sent the ball to the posts twice during the game. In the last corner kicks of the game, in the 91st and 93rd minutes of the game, United scored thanks to Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to fulfill one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
This is the game that kickstarted Manchester United’s fame all over the world with the team becoming the most popular English club in foreign markets such as Thailand, where online gambling sites offer bookmakers the best platforms for sports betting and Premier League ranks among the most popular competitions to bet, with many bonuses and promotions offered to clients looking to bet in their favorite teams.
Liverpool 3 – 3 AC Milan (2005)
This Champions League final is referred to as the Miracle of Istanbul by footballing experts.
The Italian team went ahead 3-0 during the first half and the match seemed decided. But at the return of the break, club legend, and captain Steven Gerrard opened the score for Liverpool a couple of minutes after returning to the pitch. The goal was followed by two more goals by Smicer and Xabi Alonso in the space of 6 minutes only. This demonstration of character and resilience drove the Scousers to a penalty shootout, the dreamed outcome of a match for the neutral fan.
Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek rose as the hero and Milan star and Ballon D’or, Andriy Schevchenko missed the decisive penalty. All the ingredients of a historic match.
Barcelona 5 – 0 Real Madrid (2010)
Imagine the best Barcelona in history, with Pep Guardiola as manager, against one of the most star-studded Real Madrid of all time, with Mourinho at the peak of his career as a manager. Add two of the best footballers of all time in Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and you can’t have a better possible matchup.
Unless Barcelona decides to completely obliterate its all-time rival with a waterfall of goals and Gerard Piqué lifting his hand in sign of humiliation, the famous ‘Manita’.
Brazil 1 – 7 Germany (2014)
The worst defeat ever in the history of the Brazilian National team. The country with the most World Cups ever, known around the world for its footballing quality and vast superiority against most teams they face.
But in the World Cup they hosted in 2014, Germany had no respect for their history as they thrashed Brazil at home. The first half ended 5-0 already. The only ones that understood what was happening in that stadium were the German players, fully focused and determined, as a killing machine. A historic landslide by Brazil. While the thrill of historic football matches captures the hearts of fans worldwide, these iconic games also play a significant role beyond the pitch. How Do Major Sports Events Impact Local Economies? delves into the economic aftermath of hosting such high-stakes games, exploring how these celebrated sports events catalyze financial growth, infrastructure development, and community revitalization in host cities.