There is something about the World Cup that brings out the best in everyone; the participating nations, the fans and not least of all, the players. The opportunity of writing their name in gold is simply too good to pass up. That four-week period that comes around only once in four years is here again. The summer in which great players throw down the gauntlet, challenging each other in national team colours for the honour of the trophy. This tournament has witnessed some of the greatest displays of individual masterclass; Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Zidane… the list is inexhaustible. The stage is set again and as always, great goals are going to be scored. In fact, it is not a World Cup if great goals are not involved. It is that simple. That said, it would be impossible to narrow down all those great goals to 5 of the best. Among many others, here are 5 of the best goals ever scored in the FIFA World Cup.
5. Arie Haan, Argentina 78, Holland vs Italy:
Long before David Beckham was bending it in and Roberto Carlos was slamming them home, Dutch midfielder Arie Haan was firing all sorts of screamers to the astonishment and delight of football fans in the 70’s. He sent the Italians home with this absolute rocket of a shot from all of 40 yards, putting the Netherlands in the final.
4. Roberto Baggio, Italia 90, Italy vs Czechoslovakia:
This was before he missed that penalty that cost Italy the 1994 World Cup in the USA. ‘Il Divin Codino’ (The Divine Ponytail) absolutely destroyed the Czech defence as he slalomed his way through them before slotting home.
3.Michael Owen, France 98, England vs Argentina
Michael Owen will never be forgotten in England because of this goal. The Liverpool teenager was only 18 when he announced his arrival on the world stage by rounding one, two, then three Argentines before blasting the ball into Carlos Roa’s net. Although England eventually lost the match, Owen’s stunning strike will live on in World Cup lore.
2. Esteban Cambiasso, Germany 2006, Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro
He won’t be the first name that pops into your mind when you think about scorers of great goals and this was by no means an individual effort. 25 passes and 9 players were involved in the 58- second pass-them-to-death move that resulted in the close range goal from Cambiasso. What’s more, the final pass was a brilliant back heel from Argentina legend Hernan Crespo.
1. Diego Maradona, Mexico 86, Argentina vs England
Who could have guessed that Diego Maradona was perfectly capable of scoring a legal goal? Just four minutes after his infamous ‘Hand of God’ scenario, the Argentine started off on a run from deep in his own half, dropping his shoulder, bobbing and weaving on his way to Peter Shilton’s goal. He dribbled past the goalkeeper as well, making him the 5th in his wake (Terry Butcher twice) before slotting the ball into the net for the ‘Goal of the Century.’ You can only describe Maradona at his best with one word; Perfection.