At its best and at its worst, The FIFA World Cup is more thrilling than that bloodsport or cinema can conjure up, a live performance unequaled in its vigor and trickery, the thrilling geometry of its movement a mere foil to the violent earnestness of its combat
1930: A Goal That Set The Ball Rolling
In the nineteenth minute of the inaugural world cup opening game in Uruguay, Frenchman Lucien Laurent collected a high cross from the right wing and let it rip past the Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Bonfiglio, buckling the net. Lucien earned a special place, marking the first goal ever scored at the 1930 World Cup
1938:A black salute to the Manifesto
Italian team unpopularity was plainly evident by the protests that ensued when they arrived in France for the 1938 World Cup. Aware of the game’s cross-national appeal and powers of propaganda, dictator Mussolini was determined to make a show of his men’s skill. Coach Vittorio Pozzo’s training camps were more akin to the armed force, encapsulating fascism single minded, uncompromising approach. When Italy won the final, retaining the Cup . the men donned black shirts and gave the fascist salute. An urban myth is Mussolini’s telegram to the boys simply instructing them to Win or Die .
1950: The Miracle On Grass
The USA team was full of semi-pro players; some were dishwashers or letter carriers, and one even worked at a funeral home. They only had one training session before leaving for the tournament in Brazil .and they came up against England, a renowned team known the world than as the “ Kings of Football “ Joe Gaetjens dived headlong into a long-range shot and grazed it past the English for a win. Experts concur the match was the biggest sporting upset of all time.
1954: A Gale Of Goals
It was a 12-goal quarterfinal thriller in Lausanne, a record for total goals scored in a single World Cup Match. And how Austria and Switzerland shored up a 7-5 score in the 40 c scorcher of heat that day is daunting though Austrian goalkeeper Kurt Schmied suffered from hyperthermia early in the match, quickly allowing the first three Swiss goals, before being assisted by the Austrian masseur while in play.
1958: A Brace For Pele
When Pele stepped onto the ground in the World Cup final against Sweden, he was 17, an age when one could not legally drink alcohol. When he stepped off, he had scored two goals in the victorious final, crying as he lifted the trophy, cementing the moment into soccer lore. By the end of his career, Pele would win three FIFA World Cups with Brazil, the most wins of the world cup by any player.
1962: The Battle Of Santiago
The first time that hosts Chile and Italy played is universally agreed as the ugliest, most vicious, and disgraceful in soccer history with fanatical support, hosts Chile could not afford to lose. The Italians had to win this match to stay in the competition. From the start, Chileans poked and kicked and provoked and spat in the face of Italians. The Italians retaliated and the pitch quickly became a battlefield. The match featured numerous punches, a broken nose, two red cards, and riot police invading the pitch there times. It was less a World Cup and more a World War.
1966: Crossed the Line?
It’s the extra time at the 1966 final and the hosts England and Germany are tied at 2-2. Geoff Hurst furious right foot blazed past the german goalkeeper, hit the underside of the crossbar, hit the ground, and bounced out of the goal line. Did the ball cross the line? The referee, after consulting his linesman, Awarded the goal. Subsequent studies and simulations have shown that it may have not England won the World Cup. the only one to this day.
1970: A Miraculous Save :
For millions, it was great to watch the “ save of the century “ in color .in the first-ever World Cup to be televised in color across the globe. The legend Pele’s downward header was destined for England’s net. Until goalie Gordon Banks chose to dive backward, moving so far and so fast to his right, instead of forward to fingertip the ball up and over. Pele, who was sure he had scored, was left transfixed, It triggered a friendship between them for the years to come.
1974: The U-Turn:
One of football’s most famous pieces of skill had its premiere in this game between Netherlands and Sweden at the 1974 World Cup. Marked by a Swedish defender and with his back to the goal, Johan Cruyff seemed to have few options but famously swayed one way, knocked the ball backward, swiveling his entire body around, and took off, leaving behind the defender and creating soccer lore called the Cryuff Turn.
1978: Only Four –Tenths Of a second too late
Clive Thomas is now best remembered for “ Probably the most controversial decision that any referee has ever made “ with six seconds of stoppable time played, Thomas blew his whistle signaling the match ends at 1-1, moments before Brazil Zico scored their winner to beat Sweden, it was a fraction of a second too late-a decision which reverberated around the world.
1982: Brutality Unpunished
With the scores tied at 1-1 in the semi-final, French substitute Patrick Battiston was through for a likely goal when German keeper Herald Schumacher smashed into him. Battiston lost three teeth. Had a broken vertebra and needed oxygen on the pitch, Amazingly,Schumacher escaped unpunished.
1986: The Bigger Hand Of God
In the 1986 World cup quarterfinals between Argentina and England, the score stood at 0-0. A miscued clearance lead the ball near England’s goal and a jumping Maradona adroitly used his left fist, rather than his head, to punch the ball home. The referee was not wise to the grift and allowed the goal. Four minutes later, picking the ball up in his own half,Maradona dashed 60 yards in ten seconds, leaving four England players behind him, drew down the goalkeeper, and netted one of the greatest goals ever seen on the world stage.
1990: Hip Dance Sensation
Neither the players nor coaches –who found him prickly and demanding and impatient –wanted the 38-year-old veteran Roger Milla back on the World Cup squad. But Cameroon President thought otherwise and issue a decree summoning him back. In the second match against Romania, Milla outmuscles Romanian center-back loan, And one, almost falls over, before he springs and shoots the net. Then Milla does something that becomes almost as legendary as the goal itself. His joyful,hip-Swinging corner –flag shimmy remains arguably Africa’s finest and most vivid Celebration on the pitch.
1994: Rock the Cradle :
Two days before the quarter-finals against the Netherlands in the 1994 World Cup. The Brazillian forward Bebeto had heard of the birth of his son Mattheus in Rio. After Bebeto Scored to put Brazil up 2-0 in scorching Dallas, he raced to the sideline and rocked his hands back and forth, as if cradling a baby. Teammates Romario And Marino joined in. Birthing a new gesture of celebration made Bebeto a household name.