The Greatest World Cup Finals of All Time
From the drama of Lusail in 2022 to the legends of 1970, we revisit the finals that defined generations of football.
Every four years the world stops for ninety minutes — sometimes one hundred and twenty, sometimes more. A World Cup final is the single most watched sporting event on the planet, and a handful of them have become part of football folklore.
2022: Argentina vs France
Many consider the final in Lusail the greatest ever played. Argentina led 2–0, France struck twice in under two minutes, and extra time ended 3–3 after a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé. Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout, completing the one chapter missing from his story.
“Some finals are won. That one was survived.”
1970: Brazil vs Italy
Brazil’s 4–1 win in Mexico City is remembered as the purest expression of attacking football. Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostão combined with a freedom the world had never seen, capped by Carlos Alberto’s iconic team goal.
1986: Argentina vs West Germany
Diego Maradona’s tournament reached its peak in a 3–2 final at the Azteca. West Germany fought back from two goals down before Jorge Burruchaga’s late winner, created by a trademark Maradona pass.
What makes a final unforgettable?
- A comeback that flips the emotional script
- A superstar delivering on the biggest stage
- A goal so beautiful it is replayed for decades
- Stakes that extend beyond the pitch
Which final do you hold closest to your heart? The beauty of football is that every fan has a different answer — and every answer is right.
