Class and controversy - five World Cup goals we'll never forget

It’s not always the special strikes that go down in folklore.

Beauty, controversy, immortality – it’s fair to say the most talked about World Cup goals vary in their manner.

Some are eulogised, many remain the subject of intense scrutiny, argued about long after the bell rings in your local.

Picking out the five most memorable, not necessarily for their quality, is a nigh on impossible challenge.

But we all like a challenge, don’t we? So here goes.

Hurst hammers home, or does he?

Who wants VAR when you can enjoy a 52-year debate?

It was 2-2 in extra time in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley when Geoff Hurst, arguably only playing due to injury to Jimmy Greaves, turned and struck a right foot shot that beat German keeper
Hans Tilkowski, and bounced back out via the underside off the crossbar.

What followed was a famous few seconds of consultation between referee Gottfried Dienst and Tofiq Bahramov, with the Russian linesman duly advising a goal should be given.

Since then, we’ve had investigations, University projects, and ample analysis using advanced technology – but in truth, still no one really knows if the ball crossed the line.

Regardless, Hurst went on to score another memorable goal which not even cynics can argue about.

Brazil’s brilliant finale:

Whenever debate rages over the best international side of all time – the Brazil team that captured the 1970 World Cup in Mexico is never far away.

And fittingly, they rounded off that triumph with the sort of team goal you never get bored of watching.

Leading Italy 3-1 in the final, seven outfield players combined before Pele’s lay off to captain Carlos Alberto, who duly hammered the ball into the bottom corner.

Argentina arguably eclipsed this with their ‘25-pass’ goal in the 2006 tournament, but given the moment, and given the match, Alberto’s strike rightfully ranks higher in history.

Tardelli’s explosion of emotion:

Anyone who suggests winning the World Cup isn’t the pinnacle of a career, simply needs to watch a re-run of Marco Tardelli’s goal in the 1982 final.

Or more specifically, his celebration.

With Italy already leading West Germany 1-0 in Madrid, the midfielder’s left foot strike all be sealed the Jules Rimet trophy, prompting a frenzied sprint and outpouring of emotion to capture even the most hardened of hearts.

What he was screaming I doubt even professional lip readers can work out, but the footage provides a reminder of the ecstasy that accompanies winning on the biggest footballing stage of all.

The Azzuri would go on to win 3-1, and Tardelli’s reaction remains etched in folklore.

The hand of God:

If England did indeed get lucky in 1966, then boy did karma strike with a vengeance 20 years later.

Their quarter final with Argentina stood at 0-0 in the second half when Maradona indisputably punched the ball past Peter Shilton and into the net.

To say it was blatant cheating would be ludicrous understatement, and yet somehow, the goal stood. Mardona would later famously claim it was ‘the hand of God’ that did the deed.

Of course, he later followed this up with one of the great World Cup goals, skipping past England defenders at will before rounding Shilton to score – and Gary Lineker’s late goal proved a mere consolation.

Argentina would go on to win the 1986 World Cup, but despite his obvious genius, that quarter final moment means Maradona remains vilified in many quarters.

Bergkamp’s moment of beauty:

Just 12 years on from that controversy, and Argentina were at the wrong end of another famous quarter final goal, except this time it was more about the quality than controversy.

With their clash with Holland at 1-1 in the final minute of the 90, Frank De Boer’s long cross field ball found Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp in the area.

His first touch on the full was exquisite, his second to cut inside even better, and his third a clinical finish with the outside of his boot past Carlos Roa.

In those glorious few seconds, it was if the pressure and occasion was lost on Bergkamp. Here was a master at work, ice cool in the cauldron, so composed he may as well have been on a village park with jumpers for goalposts.

Class goal? That doesn’t do it justice.