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The Boys from Brazil
With Brazil close to victory in the 1970 final against Italy, they scored the greatest World Cup goal. Eight players crafted the move that ended when Pele rolled the ball into the path of Carlos Alberto who blasted it into the back of the net. Simply brilliant.
Mexican Wave
What would football be without the Mexican—or as we call it, Kallang —Wave. It first graced the world stage at the 1986 World Cup, and ever since, it’s given us something to do when we’re bored with the action on the pitch.
Nights of the Underdog
Ah fairytales. Debutants Cameroon overcame defending champions Argentina 1-0 in 1990, and Senegal repeated the feat against France in 2002. The US shocked England in 1950 and North Korea silenced Italy in 1966.
Diego Maradona
Flawed genius. His two sides were encapsulated in his goals against England in 1986. One was magic, one was disgraceful; he punched the ball over the rushing English keeper to “score” the goal that became known as the Hand of God.
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Injustice
Hungary’s Magical Magyars of ‘54, the flamboyant Dutch who lost two consecutive finals in the 70s, the all-conquering Brazil of ‘82 and the electric Danes of ’86 are the best teams who never lifted the trophy.
Riding their Luck
No one who takes football seriously will forget South Korea’s farcical romp to the semis in 2002. Bad ref’s decisions plagued every opponent of the co-hosts as they eliminated Portugal, Italy and Spain before being shot down by the Germans.
Too Far
Colombia were favorites to win in 1994, but were eliminated after a game that saw defender Andres Escobar score an own goal. Ten days later, Escobar was gunned down in Colombia. It is rumored that his killer shouted “Goal!” after each shot he fired.
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