FIFA World cup tournament begin in the year 1930. It is played every four year since its inception. It wasn’t played in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second world war. The present champions are Germany who won the 2014 World cup in Brazil. FIFA World cup is nothing short of a festival that unites people from different nations. Fans from all across the globe travel places to support their country. This tournament has produced many spectacular surprising moments that will be engraved in minds of people for years to come.
Here’s a list of the top 10 world cup moments –
1) Diego Maradona
1986 Semi Final between Argentina and England saw a historic event that would never vanish from minds of football fans. The famous “hand of god” that opened scoring in the crucial knockout game.
2) Zinedine Zidane
The 2006 World Cup Final between France and Italy saw a controversial end to it. Zinedine Zidane was provoked by Marco Materazzi and he fell for it. A headbutt by the French International put Italy one step ahead in the dying moments of the competition.
3) David Beckham
England usually find themselves at the wrong side of any controversy. Another example was the 1998 FIFA World Cup quarter final. David Beckham was sent off on the 47th minute of an all important clash. Eventually they were knocked out in the penalty shootout.
4) Rene Higuita
The most exciting goalkeeper in the history of Football. He was known for the scorpion kicks and dribbling ability even after being a Goalkeeper. Though the latter hurt his side against Cameroon when he lost control and conceded in a knockout match.
5) Portugal vs Holland
A 2006 World cup match that saw 4 red cards and 16 yellow cards. Sounds more a like wrestling encounter between the teams.
6) Frank Lampard
England were denied a goal that would have squared the match against Germany in FIFA World cup 2010. It was a knockout round and this decision made was a big question mark on the use of technology to assist referees.
7) Ronaldo
Brazil team sheet was prepared 72 minutes before 1998 World Cup final which excluding the worlds best player back then, Ronaldo. It was a shock for everyone but was later on added in the side near to the kick off.
8) Luiz Suarez
The 2014 World Cup Quarter final between Uruguay and Ghana had a controversial end. Luiz Suarez hit the ball with his hand to restrict it from going into the net. He was sent off but the penalty was saved by Uruguay and eventually Ghana were knocked out from the competition.
9) Luiz Suarez
Another Luiz Suarez incident. He tends to leave his mark on every FIFA World cup that he plays. He bite Italy’s Giorgio Cheillini post which he was banned from International matches for a certain period of time.
10) Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voller
Frank Rijkaard tackled Rudi Voller and picked up a yellow card. He continued the act by spitting on Voller. On protesting for the same even Voller was yellow carded. The spat continued for some more time and both were sent off.