Top 10 Greatest World Cup Goals Ever Scored

Archie Gemmill's goal for Scotland against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina is considered the finest individual goal in British football history. He received the ball 25 yards from goal, weaved past three Dutch defenders including Johan Neeskens and Jan Poortvliet, and chipped the goalkeeper with his right foot. Scotland lost 3–2 and were eliminated despite the goal, making it one of the great bittersweet sporting moments. The goal was so culturally significant it was recreated in the 1996 film Trainspotting.

The fourth goal in Brazil's 4–1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico City is regarded as the greatest team goal in World Cup history. Starting from a Pelé hold-up, the move involved seven Brazilian players before Clodoaldo dribbled through four Italians in midfield, Rivelino played a one-two with Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto — the right back — arrived late to hammer a diagonal finish past Enrico Albertosi. It encapsulated everything sublime about that Brazil team — the greatest international side ever assembled.

Dennis Bergkamp's winner for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup quarterfinal is one of the most technically demanding goals ever scored. Frank de Boer's 60-metre pass found Bergkamp in the penalty area with his back to goal with 89 seconds remaining. In one motion he controlled the ball, dragged it around Roberto Ayala with his right foot, and slotted past Carlos Roa with his left — all in less than a second. The ball control required at top speed against World Cup pressure remains incomprehensible even on repeat viewing.

Saeed Al-Owairan's solo goal for Saudi Arabia against Belgium at the 1994 World Cup is one of the most dramatic and underappreciated strikes in tournament history. Starting just inside the Saudi half, he dribbled past five Belgian outfield players at pace across 70 metres before finishing calmly past Michel Preud'homme. The goal was widely compared to Maradona's 1986 classic and earned the FIFA Best Goal of the Tournament award. Saudi Arabia won 1–0. Al-Owairan never played in Europe despite the goal — making it one of football's most poignant what-ifs.

Roberto Carlos's free-kick for Brazil against France in the 1997 Tournoi de France — a precursor to World Cup analysis — is included here as one of the most physically impossible strikes ever recorded. From 35 metres, the ball initially flew so far wide of the goal that the ball boy ducked. Physics dictates it should have continued wide. Instead it swerved violently back, struck the inside of the post and went in. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez stood rooted, unable to comprehend what had happened. Physicists have since confirmed it defied conventional aerodynamic expectations.

Michael Owen's goal for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup group stage announced a teenage superstar to the world. At 18 years and 190 days, Owen received the ball on the right side of Argentina's half, accelerated past Jose Chamot and Roberto Ayala with devastating pace, and struck a precise low finish past Carlos Roa. It briefly put England 2–1 up. England lost on penalties, but Owen's goal remains England's greatest World Cup moment since 1966. He became the youngest player to score in a World Cup knockout round at the time.

Eusébio's four-goal comeback for Portugal against North Korea at the 1966 World Cup in Goodison Park, Liverpool, remains the greatest individual performance in a World Cup knockout game. Portugal were 3–0 down after 24 minutes. Eusébio scored four and made a fifth in a 5–3 comeback win. His performance is all the more remarkable because North Korea's lead had been built on one of the tournament's biggest upsets — they had knocked out Italy in the group stage. Eusébio's physical power, two-footedness and finishing were unmatched in 1966.

Zinedine Zidane's free-kick for France against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal — won 1–0 — was an exercise in tournament authority from a 34-year-old playing his final World Cup. The goal itself, thumped from 25 yards over the wall with his weaker right foot, was vintage Zidane: minimal fuss, maximum execution. He ended the tournament as Player of the Tournament despite being sent off with a headbutt in the final, scoring a defining Panenka penalty. His 2006 run remains the most elegant farewell to a major tournament in football history.

James Rodríguez's volley for Colombia against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16 won the FIFA Puskás Award and is widely considered the goal of the tournament. He controlled a cross on his chest with his back to goal, let it drop, and struck a first-time left-foot volley from 20 yards that flew into the top corner past Fernando Muslera. Colombia won 2–0 and James finished as tournament top scorer with 6 goals in 5 games. He became the first Colombian to win the Golden Boot.

Archie Gemmill's goal for Scotland against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina is considered the finest individual goal in British football history. He received the ball 25 yards from goal, weaved past three Dutch defenders including Johan Neeskens and Jan Poortvliet, and chipped the goalkeeper with his right foot. Scotland lost 3–2 and were eliminated despite the goal, making it one of the great bittersweet sporting moments. The goal was so culturally significant it was recreated in the 1996 film Trainspotting.

The fourth goal in Brazil's 4–1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico City is regarded as the greatest team goal in World Cup history. Starting from a Pelé hold-up, the move involved seven Brazilian players before Clodoaldo dribbled through four Italians in midfield, Rivelino played a one-two with Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto — the right back — arrived late to hammer a diagonal finish past Enrico Albertosi. It encapsulated everything sublime about that Brazil team — the greatest international side ever assembled.

Dennis Bergkamp's winner for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup quarterfinal is one of the most technically demanding goals ever scored. Frank de Boer's 60-metre pass found Bergkamp in the penalty area with his back to goal with 89 seconds remaining. In one motion he controlled the ball, dragged it around Roberto Ayala with his right foot, and slotted past Carlos Roa with his left — all in less than a second. The ball control required at top speed against World Cup pressure remains incomprehensible even on repeat viewing.

Saeed Al-Owairan's solo goal for Saudi Arabia against Belgium at the 1994 World Cup is one of the most dramatic and underappreciated strikes in tournament history. Starting just inside the Saudi half, he dribbled past five Belgian outfield players at pace across 70 metres before finishing calmly past Michel Preud'homme. The goal was widely compared to Maradona's 1986 classic and earned the FIFA Best Goal of the Tournament award. Saudi Arabia won 1–0. Al-Owairan never played in Europe despite the goal — making it one of football's most poignant what-ifs.

Roberto Carlos's free-kick for Brazil against France in the 1997 Tournoi de France — a precursor to World Cup analysis — is included here as one of the most physically impossible strikes ever recorded. From 35 metres, the ball initially flew so far wide of the goal that the ball boy ducked. Physics dictates it should have continued wide. Instead it swerved violently back, struck the inside of the post and went in. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez stood rooted, unable to comprehend what had happened. Physicists have since confirmed it defied conventional aerodynamic expectations.

Michael Owen's goal for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup group stage announced a teenage superstar to the world. At 18 years and 190 days, Owen received the ball on the right side of Argentina's half, accelerated past Jose Chamot and Roberto Ayala with devastating pace, and struck a precise low finish past Carlos Roa. It briefly put England 2–1 up. England lost on penalties, but Owen's goal remains England's greatest World Cup moment since 1966. He became the youngest player to score in a World Cup knockout round at the time.

Eusébio's four-goal comeback for Portugal against North Korea at the 1966 World Cup in Goodison Park, Liverpool, remains the greatest individual performance in a World Cup knockout game. Portugal were 3–0 down after 24 minutes. Eusébio scored four and made a fifth in a 5–3 comeback win. His performance is all the more remarkable because North Korea's lead had been built on one of the tournament's biggest upsets — they had knocked out Italy in the group stage. Eusébio's physical power, two-footedness and finishing were unmatched in 1966.

Zinedine Zidane's free-kick for France against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal — won 1–0 — was an exercise in tournament authority from a 34-year-old playing his final World Cup. The goal itself, thumped from 25 yards over the wall with his weaker right foot, was vintage Zidane: minimal fuss, maximum execution. He ended the tournament as Player of the Tournament despite being sent off with a headbutt in the final, scoring a defining Panenka penalty. His 2006 run remains the most elegant farewell to a major tournament in football history.

James Rodríguez's volley for Colombia against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16 won the FIFA Puskás Award and is widely considered the goal of the tournament. He controlled a cross on his chest with his back to goal, let it drop, and struck a first-time left-foot volley from 20 yards that flew into the top corner past Fernando Muslera. Colombia won 2–0 and James finished as tournament top scorer with 6 goals in 5 games. He became the first Colombian to win the Golden Boot.