The World Cup<\/strong><\/a> final is the biggest match in world football bar none, coming around only once every four years, to crown the best nation on earth.<\/p>\n In 2022, Argentina<\/strong><\/a> had the honour of lifting the famous golden trophy aloft in Qatar, after beating France<\/strong><\/a> on penalties following a barnstorming 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium, which will go down as one of the greatest World Cup matches of all time.<\/p>\n While the Argentines were left to celebrate long into the night, neutrals quickly began to reflect on what was soon dubbed the greatest World Cup final of all, with some even going as far as to call it the greatest game ever played.<\/p>\n It certainly provided drama galore and a glorious end to the first ever winter edition of the World Cup, but where does it rank among the previous 21 World Cup finals played before it?<\/p>\n Three years on from the dramatic and astonishing 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, and one year out from the 2026 finals, Sports Mole<\/strong> counts down the top 10 finals in the history of the competition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Under the long shadow of Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, hosts Italy reached their first World Cup final in 1934. They faced Czechoslovakia at the since-closed Stadio Nazionale del PNF, and nearing the end of a close-fought contest the Czechs closed in on victory by taking a 71st minute lead. Italy’s Argentina-born winger Raimundo Orsi<\/strong><\/a> then hauled his adopted nation level with less than 10 minutes remaining, before Bologna legend Angelo Schiavio<\/strong><\/a> set off jubilant celebrations in Rome and beyond when his extra-time strike saw the World Cup’s first European winners crowned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sport and politics are two separate matters? Like in Italy 44 years beforehand, Argentine authoritarianism – in the shape of military leadership – shaped the 1978 World Cup finals, in which the tournament hosts again won the game’s greatest prize. Four years after their ‘Total Football’ revolution took them to the final, the Netherlands reached the competition’s showpiece again, but in an ill-tempered match which foreshadowed the extraordinary events of the two nations’ clash in Qatar this year, they were ultimately overwhelmed by Argentina. Having omitted a young Diego Maradona<\/strong><\/a> from their squad, the South American side made the most of partisan backing at Estadio Monumental, with Mario Kempes<\/strong><\/a> striking twice to effectively decide the outcome. After his 38th-minute opener was cancelled out by Dick Nanninga<\/strong><\/a>‘s second-half header, Kempes scrambled the ball home in extra time, before Daniel Bertoni<\/strong><\/a> secured the trophy; leaving the dazzling Dutch once more empty-handed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eight years on from their disastrous failure in the final on home soil – also known as ‘the Maracanazo’, which was essentially repeated in the semi-finals of 2014 – Brazil faced Sweden to decide the World Cup’s destiny. An early setback saw 35-year-old Milan star Nils Liedholm<\/strong><\/a> put the hosts in front at Solna’s Rasunda Stadium, but a similarly legendary figure, Vava<\/strong><\/a>, then scored twice before the break to steer the Selecao back on track. Following the interval, a certain 17-year-old prodigy named Pele took centre stage, and the Santos starlet scored twice to guide Brazil to the trophy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having thrilled the watching world with their intuitive artistry on the way to the final, the Netherlands seized the initiative by taking a second-minute lead in Munich, against hosts West Germany. Stylish playmaker Johan Cruyff<\/strong><\/a> earned a penalty, which was in fact the first ever awarded in a World Cup final, and Johan Neeskens<\/strong><\/a> raised hopes of an Oranje victory from the spot. However, when Paul Breitner<\/strong><\/a> later converted his own penalty to level the scores, the Dutch side caved to the seemingly inevitable: legendary marksman Gerd Muller<\/strong><\/a> pounced to put Germany in front. Led by inspirational captain Franz Beckenbauer<\/strong><\/a>, the Germans’ defence remained resolute, and they ultimately added global supremacy to their already-held European crown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Estadio Centenario in Montevideo was the scene of the first-ever World Cup final, in which hosts Uruguay tackled regional rivals Argentina. A rematch of the gold-medal decider at the 1928 Olympics, won by the Uruguayans, saw numerous Argentine supporters apparently cross into the neighbouring nation bellowing “Victoria o muerte!” (victory or death). Pablo Dorado<\/strong><\/a> scored the first World Cup final goal in the 12th minute, but the inaugural tournament’s top scorer Guillermo Stabile<\/strong><\/a> had subsequently put Argentina 2-1 ahead shortly before half time before Uruguay stormed back after the break. With just a minute left on the clock, Hector Castro<\/strong><\/a> netted the Celeste’s fourth and ensured FIFA president Jules Rimet<\/strong><\/a> would present a trophy later named after the Frenchman to the victorious home side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 Reuters<\/p>\n The 1970 final in Mexico was certainly not the most closely contested – though the scores actually remained level heading into its final half-hour – but featured perhaps the most iconic performance by any World Cup-winning team throughout the ages. At the Azteca, a teak-tough Italy side were ultimately swept aside by Brazil’s ‘Jogo Bonito’, though Pele – making what was to be his last World Cup appearance – saw his headed opener equalised by Roberto Boninsegna<\/strong><\/a> just before the break. It was deep into the second half, though, that the Selecao turned up the heat in sweltering Mexico City, and their final goal of a 4-1 win – a fluid passing move of great majesty and precision, finished with aplomb by captain Carlos Alberto<\/strong><\/a> – has since seared itself into the collective memory of fans around the globe. Pele became the only player in history to win three World Cups, while a supporting cast of Clodoaldo<\/strong><\/a>, Gerson<\/strong><\/a>, Jairzinho<\/strong><\/a> – who had scored in every game – Rivellino<\/strong><\/a> and Tostao<\/strong><\/a> also sealed their place in football history.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 Reuters<\/p>\n Eight years after missing out on a place in the Argentina squad that triumphed so controversially on home soil, Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ antics had helped the Albiceleste reach the 1986 World Cup final. In another grand occasion at Mexico’s imposing Azteca, the playmaking maestro took a back seat as Jose Luis Brown<\/strong><\/a> and Jorge Valdano<\/strong><\/a> put the Argentinians two goals up, and that is how it stayed until the 74th minute, when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge<\/strong><\/a> struck back. Soon after, Rudi Voller<\/strong><\/a> dramatically hauled West Germany level. It was, perhaps inevitably, a moment of magic from Maradona which then avoided potential triumph turning into disaster, and his assist for Jorge Burruchaga<\/strong><\/a>‘s winner five minutes from full time proved the difference between two well-matched sides. At the final whistle, Argentina celebrated a second World Cup triumph in three attempts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 Reuters<\/p>\n Though subsequently followed by several decades of hurt, England’s only global crown was won in the most thrilling style, as they overcame West Germany in a goalfest beneath the twin towers at Wembley Stadium. Played in front of a crowd of more than 90,000 enthralled fans, the 1966 final got off to a fast start, with Helmut Haller<\/strong><\/a> and Geoff Hurst<\/strong><\/a> scoring for either side in the opening 20 minutes. Martin Peters<\/strong><\/a> later seemed to have grabbed the winner, but Wolfgang Weber<\/strong><\/a>‘s late equaliser took an absorbing encounter to extra time. During the next 30 minutes, the Three Lions wrote football history as Hurst’s 101st-minute shot struck the crossbar, bounced down and then came out: the referee consulted his linesman, Azeri official Tofiq Bahramov<\/strong><\/a>, who indicated the ball had crossed the line and England were ahead again. As the crowd began to spill on to Wembley’s hallowed turf, Hurst belted home an iconic fourth, and England’s red-shirted heroes became legends.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 Reuters<\/p>\n After 78 minutes, any suggestion that the 2022 World Cup final would end up as the best of all time would have been met with scoffs and scepticism, such had been the one-sided nature of it up to that point. France, bidding to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, barely laid a glove on Argentina for the vast majority of normal time, only registering their first shot after more than 70 minutes. Argentina, by contrast, had swarmed all over their out-of-sorts opponents and were well worthy of their 2-0 lead, handed to them by another record-breaking Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/a> goal from the penalty spot and Angel Di Maria<\/strong><\/a>‘s stunning second – both goals coming before half time. Lionel Scaloni<\/strong><\/a>‘s men had taken their foot off the pedal in the second half, but they still seemed in complete control until a remarkable quickfire turnaround from France stunned the world in the space of 97 electric seconds. A Nicolas Otamendi<\/strong><\/a> error led to him bringing Randal Kolo Muani<\/strong><\/a> down inside the area for a penalty which Kylian Mbappe<\/strong><\/a> duly converted, and the Frenchman then volleyed a magnificent second into the far corner less than two minutes later, restoring parity in the blink of an eye having largely been anonymous up to that stage. \u00a9 Reuters<\/p>\n Messi almost clinched the holy grail in storybook style in the 97th minute but the game ultimately went into an extra-time period which catapulted the match into the conversation for the best in football history. Dayot Upamecano<\/strong><\/a> made two world-class interventions to keep things level before Messi got his second of the game by scrambling the ball over the line in the 110th minute, goalline technology confirming that it had indeed crossed and VAR proving that Lautaro Martinez<\/strong><\/a> was onside in the buildup. There were yet more twists and turns to come, though, as Mbappe’s shot struck the arm of Gonzalo Montiel<\/strong><\/a> inside the area, and Mbappe himself stepped up to slot home his second penalty and third goal overall of the night, becoming only the second man to hit a hat-trick in a World Cup final and also moving out on his own for the most World Cup final goals in history at the age of just 23. There was still time for Kolo Muani to glance a header just wide, Emiliano Martinez<\/strong><\/a> to make one of the great World Cup saves and for his namesake Lautaro to squander a chance at the other end before the madcap match went to penalties. The two talismen – Messi and Mbappe – duly tucked their penalties away, but Emiliano Martinez proved to be the star for Argentina as he saved from Kingsley Coman<\/strong><\/a> and then produced mind games which contributed to Aurelien Tchouameni<\/strong><\/a> missing, leaving Montiel to tuck home the winning penalty. The instant classic not only contained momentum shifts, plot twists and incredible drama galore on the grandest stage, but it also ended in pleasing fashion for most as Lionel Messi – arguably the greatest player of all time – finally got his hands on the one trophy which had previously eluded him.<\/p>\n
\n10. 1934 – Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia<\/h2>\n
\n9. 1978 – Argentina 3-1 Netherlands<\/h2>\n
\n8. 1958 – Brazil 5-2 Sweden<\/h2>\n
\n7. 1974 – Netherlands 1-2 West Germany<\/h2>\n
\n6. 1930 – Uruguay 4-2 Argentina<\/h2>\n
\n5. 1970 – Brazil 4-1 Italy<\/h2>\n
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\n4. 1986 – Argentina 3-2 West Germany<\/h2>\n
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\n3. 1966 – England 4-2 West Germany<\/h2>\n
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\n2. 1954 – West Germany 3-2 Hungary<\/h2>\n
For all their reputation as arch-pragmatists, German teams have been involved in some memorable finals down the years – and none more so than in their incredible upset of an all-time great Hungary team in 1954’s ‘Miracle of Bern’. Unbeaten in four years before a World Cup held in Switzerland, early goals from Ferenc Puskas<\/strong><\/a> and Zoltan Czibor<\/strong><\/a> put ‘The Magical Magyars’ firmly in the driving seat. That was to be expected, as they had already defeated West Germany 8-3 en route to the final, in a game which saw superstar Puskas suffer a hairline ankle fracture following a crunching challenge from German defender Werner Liebrich<\/strong><\/a>. The Real Madrid forward therefore missed the quarter and semi-finals, and was still a shadow of his former self in Bern, where rank outsiders Germany recovered to pull themselves level by the 18th minute. They then survived Hungary hitting the woodwork several times; also clearing a number of shots off the line. If that were not enough, Helmut Rahn<\/strong><\/a> netted what proved to be the winning goal six minutes from time, before a hotly-disputed offside ruling denied Puskas an 87th-minute equaliser. So, it was the semi-professional Germans that pulled off one of their nation’s most significant sporting feats, while Hungary’s golden generation went unrewarded for both re-writing the record books and redefining tactical play, and they were never to come as close to global glory again.<\/p>\n
\n1. 2022 – Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)<\/h2>\n
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