The 10 Greatest Goals in FIFA World Cup History

The FIFA World Cup has been the stage for some of the most breathtaking goals in the history of football. From individual masterpieces to stunning long-range strikes, the tournament has a unique ability to produce moments of genius that live forever in the sport's collective memory. Here are the ten greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup.

1. Diego Maradona vs England (1986) — The Goal of the Century

Voted the Goal of the Century by FIFA in 2002, Maradona's second goal against England in the 1986 quarter-final is the standard against which every other World Cup goal is measured. Receiving the ball in his own half, he dribbled 60 metres past five England outfield players and the goalkeeper before slotting calmly into the net. It took 11 seconds. It has never been surpassed.

2. Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina (1998)

Frank de Boer's 60-metre diagonal pass. Bergkamp's first touch to kill it dead. His second touch to round the defender. His third touch to curl it into the far corner with the outside of his right foot. In the 90th minute. Against Argentina. In the World Cup quarter-final. Three touches. One of the most technically perfect goals ever scored in football history.

3. Carlos Alberto vs Italy (1970)

Brazil's fourth goal in the 1970 World Cup final against Italy — the culmination of a sweeping, 10-pass team move that involved almost every outfield player before Carlos Alberto thundered the ball into the bottom right corner. It is the goal that defines the greatest team ever to play the game, and the greatest final ever played.

4. Arjen Robben vs Spain (2014)

Running onto a through ball at full sprint, Robben held off Sergio Ramos for what seemed an impossible length of time before rolling the ball past Iker Casillas with his left foot. The finish required extraordinary balance, strength, and composure. Against the defending world champions. In the group stage. It announced that Spain's era was over — and did so in the most spectacular fashion imaginable.

5. Pelé vs Sweden (1958) — The Teenager Who Changed Football

Pelé was 17 years old when he scored in the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden. Chest control over a defender's head. Volley on the half-turn into the net before the ball hit the ground. In a World Cup final. At 17. The goal announced the arrival of the greatest player the sport had seen — and gave a glimpse of everything that was to come over the next 14 extraordinary years.