World Cup: 101 most memorable tournament moments
Over the span of 92 years and 21 tournaments, the World Cup has had so many memorable moments.
So every day until Qatar 2022, which will air exclusively on FOX networks starting Nov. 20, Jenny Taft and Doug McIntyre are counting down the 101 most memorable moments in World Cup history. Find out where your favorite moment ended up on our countdown.
Lionel Messi showed Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho that his right foot is just as lethal as his left, and reminded the world why he’s considered by many as the greatest of all time.
Lionel Messi’s miracle
Messi led Argentina back from a disappointing start to the 2018 World Cup.
100: Wynalda’s colossal curler
It would have been hard for Eric Wynalda to place his free kick more perfectly than he did; it helped that it came at the perfect time, too.
Eric Wynalda’s free kick
The USMNT’s deepest World Cup run was made by possible by Wyndala’s wonder strike.
Long before he coached the United States men’s national team at the 2014 World Cup, Jürgen Klinsmann scored a ton of goals for Germany, including this stunner against South Korea.
Jürgen spins and scores
Jürgen Klinsmann set himself up for a perfect goal.
South Korea’s defenders didn’t know what to do when Cuauhtémoc Blanco broke out the Cuauhtemiña at the 1998 World Cup.
The Cuauhtemiña
South Korea didn’t do their homework on Blanco.
A no-look scoop pass over the top of the defense with the outside of the boot? Michael Laudrup didn’t play fair.
Michael Laudrup’s assist
Ebbe Sand was on the receiving end of one of the greatest assists in World Cup history.
José Luis Chilavert didn’t convert his free kick against Bulgaria at the 1998 World Cup, but he came as close as any keeper has since.
Chilavert’s historic free kick
Make or miss, Chilavert made goalkeeper history.
Who do you think appreciated the support of Japan’s fans more in 2018: Japan’s men’s national team or the stadium staff in Russia?
Japanese fans take fandom to the next level
These Japanese fans did their part to keep the stadium clean.
94: Oh my, Oliseh
The power and precision of Sunday Oliseh’s shot stunned the Spanish giants of 1998. I mean, how do you stop that?
Oliseh’s screamer vs. Spain
Nigeria upset Spain 3-2 at the 1998 World Cup.
93: Matthäus’ individual brilliance
Yugoslavia paid the price of giving Lothar Matthäus ample space to operate in the midfield, and his German teammates watched him collect.
Matthäus’ run and rocket
Matthäus’ long-range effort was one of his two impressive goals in Germany’s 4-1 victory.
92: El Tri tops Die Mannschaft
Mexico’s fans were hoping for a draw against Germany; what they got was arguably El Tri’s most surprising result on the World Cup stage.
Mexico upsets Germany
Chucky Lozano was the hero in Mexico’s 1-0 win over Germany.
It’s safe to say this would have landed higher on our countdown had Pelé stuck the landing.
Pelé’s runaround
Even Pelé’s are highlight worthy.
West Germany were the favorites to repeat as world champions in 1994 … until Yordan Letchkov decided they weren’t.
Letchkov’s header stuns Germany
Yordan Letchkov’s goal completed Bulgaria’s unlikely win against Germany.
89: No era penal
This one’s pretty self-explanatory for Mexico fans: It wasn’t a penalty.
Mexico’s battle cry
Arjen Robben drew a controversial foul call in the box and then the Netherlands scored on a penalty kick.
In 1994, Brazil’s Bebeto gave his newborn son the best birthday present ever: a celebration at the World Cup.
Bebeto’s birthday gift
Brazil’s Bebeto scores against the Netherlands and celebrates by rocking the baby for the birth of this newborn child.
87. First goal wins
There have been two golden goals in World Cup history; Laurent Blanc’s sent his team to the quarterfinals, where they’d win en route to their first-ever World Cup trophy.
First golden goal
French defender Laurent Blanc scored the first golden goal to eliminate Paraguay in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Pelé’s Brazil teams are the most famous to win back-to-back World Cups, but they weren’t the first.
Italy becomes first back-to-back winner
Italy won the World Cup in 1934 and 1938.
85. Salenko’s five-goal frenzy
Oleg Salenko already had the golden boot secured when Russia were eliminated in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup.
Salenko bags five goals
Russia’s Salenko scores five goals against Cameroon in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Tim Howard did everything he could to save the United States from elimination at the 2014 World Cup, and his record-setting performance in the USMNT’s loss to Belgium earned him the nickname “Secretary of Defense.”
Tim Howard sets saves record
Tim Howard set the WC saves record for the USA against Belgium.
Hungary showed no mercy for El Salvador in their record-setting 10-1 win at the 1982 World Cup.
Hungary embarrass El Salvador
Hungary scored 10 goals against El Salvador, making it the most lopsided result in World Cup History.
This page will be updated every day through the start of the World Cup on Nov. 20.
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