Magic World Cup Memories – particular version on sale now
Look back at some of the most memorable and controversial moments from past World Cups with our new special edition publication – on sale now
30th July 1966: Geoff Hurst scores England’s third goal against West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The goal, awarded upon the judgement of the Russian linesman has remained one of the most controversial goals in the history of the competition. England became World champions with a 4-2 victory after extra time. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
There is nothing quite like the World Cup to provide truly epic football moments that last the test of time.
We don’t know who will lift the World Cup in New York on July 19, but what we can say for certain is that one or two iconic moments will be produced over the course of five weeks in America, Canada and Mexico this summer.
There is nothing quite like the biggest football tournament on earth for producing special memories which go into folklore, never to be forgotten. And in our brilliant special edition – What in the World? – we take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from past World Cups.
The World Cup has always been a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. Truly brilliant moments of individual genius, surreal happenings, sometimes downright notorious. It certainly isn’t just about who bags the winner in the final. There is so much more to the tournament than that. Yes there have been fabulous goals and we feature many of them in detail. Diego Maradona dribbling the ball from halfway before beating Peter Shilton versus Bobby Robson’s England in 1986. Don’t worry, we also cover off the infamy of his handball too.
Michael Owen against Argentina at France ‘98. Gary Lineker’s hat-trick to down Poland in Mexico and why he regarded the first of those, a tap-in from five yards, as the best of the 300-plus goals bagged throughout a glittering career. Carlos Alberto’s cracker for Brazil versus Italy in the 1970 final, perhaps the artistic team move which, more than any other, coined the phrase ‘The Beautiful Game’, which has become such a popular saying in recent times. But just as easily recounted as the great goals are other World Cup memories, for which the more the years go by, the greater the legend grows.
Gazza’s tears, Cruyff’s turn, that tear-stained, fist-pumping, head-shaking Marco Tardelli screaming goal celebration for Italy in the 1982 final against West Germany. Forget the Peter Crouch robot or Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous leap into the air. Nothing matches Marco. Spontaneous, from the soul, utterly brilliant… and a striking image for the ages.
What about the Prince of Kuwait rushing onto the pitch to protest against the referee awarding an Alain Giresse goal for France in 1982? South Korea beating Italy in 2002, Algeria upsetting West Germany in 1982 anyone? We had holders Argentina (1990) and France (2002) stunned respectively by Cameroon and Senegal. Perhaps most famous of the lot was the night East Germany made the short hop across the heavily guarded border to beat the West Germans in Hamburg in 1974.
Let’s hear it for the record-breakers. Lionel Messi, finally winning the trophy in Qatar after five attempts and in doing so making sure he had more combined goals and assists than any other player in World Cup history. Oleg Solenko, who smashed five goals in Russia’s 6-1 trouncing of Cameroon in 1994. Germany beating Brazil 7-1 in their own Belo Horizonte backyard in 2014. As for controversies, well, there have been a few. To put it mildly.
Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 final, David Beckham’s red card in ‘98, Cristiano Ronaldo’s wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off. Maradona’s first goal in 1986. Geoff Hurst, was it over the line? The in, out, in saga surrounding Brazil’s Ronaldo which wrecked their chances in the 1998 final versus France.
So, so many fabulous stories we detail, which we know you’ll love reading about in this special edition.
Buy your copy today HERE or in participating supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents from Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Any online orders will be dispatched from Wednesday, March 4 and postage and packaging applies.
