Andrés Iniesta, 2010
With just four minutes of extra time remaining in a goalless World Cup final, Andrés Iniesta found himself in the Dutch penalty area. The game was a brutal, cagey affair, but when Cesc Fàbregas' pass deflected into his path, time seemed to slow. Iniesta took
one touch and volleyed the ball into the far corner, winning Spain its first-ever World Cup. His celebration, revealing a message for his late friend Dani Jarque, added a layer of profound emotion to a moment of pure sporting ecstasy.
Mario Götze, 2014
Much like Iniesta four years prior, Mario Götze came on as a substitute to become a national hero. The 2014 final between Germany and Argentina was another tense, goalless affair deep into extra time. In the 113th minute, André Schürrle made a driving run down the left flank and sent a cross into the box. Götze controlled the ball on his chest and, in one fluid motion, volleyed it past the keeper. It was a goal of sublime technique, worthy of winning any final, and it secured Germany's fourth World Cup title.
Alcides Ghiggia, 1950
Perhaps the most clutch goal in history for the sheer scale of the upset it caused. Host nation Brazil needed only a draw against Uruguay in the final match to win the cup before a home crowd of nearly 200,000 at the Maracanã. After Brazil went up 1-0, Uruguay equalized. Then, with 11 minutes to go, winger Alcides Ghiggia drove into the box and, anticipating the keeper would expect a cross, fired a low shot into the near post. The stadium fell into a stunned silence. Uruguay were champions, and the event, known as the 'Maracanazo', became a national tragedy for Brazil.
Helmut Rahn, 1954
Known as 'The Miracle of Bern', the 1954 final saw West Germany face Hungary's 'Magical Magyars', a team unbeaten in four years. Hungary quickly went up 2-0, but the Germans clawed their way back to 2-2. With just six minutes remaining, Helmut Rahn, known as 'The Boss', picked up a loose ball outside the box, cut past a defender, and fired a low, left-footed shot into the net to make it 3-2. The goal completed the incredible comeback and gave a post-war Germany its first major international triumph.
Zinedine Zidane, 1998
On home soil, France faced the mighty Brazil, the defending champions, in the final. The pressure was immense, but Zinedine Zidane, a player not known for his heading ability, rose to the occasion. He scored two near-identical headers from corners in the first half to give France a commanding 2-0 lead. These goals broke the back of the Brazilian challenge and set France on their way to a historic first World Cup title, turning Zidane into the face of a triumphant, diverse nation.
Gerd Müller, 1974
West Germany, the host nation, faced the Netherlands and their revolutionary 'Total Football' in the final. The Dutch scored in the second minute before a German player had even touched the ball. West Germany equalized with a penalty, and just before halftime, the legendary striker Gerd Müller struck. With his back to goal, he swivelled on a pass inside the box and snapped a low shot into the corner. It was a classic poacher's finish from 'Der Bomber' and proved to be the winning goal, securing Germany's second World Cup.
Fabio Grosso, 2006
In a tense semifinal against host nation Germany, the score was locked at 0-0 in the 119th minute, with a penalty shootout looming. Andrea Pirlo picked up the ball and slipped a perfect no-look pass to left-back Fabio Grosso on the edge of the area. Grosso curled a magnificent first-time shot into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations. Alessandro Del Piero added a second goal a minute later to seal the win, but it was Grosso's unbelievable strike that broke German hearts and sent Italy to the final, which they would go on to win.
Landon Donovan, 2010
Entering stoppage time in their final group stage match against Algeria, the USA were heading for elimination. A draw was not enough; they needed a goal. In the 91st minute, goalkeeper Tim Howard launched a quick counter-attack. The ball eventually fell to Clint Dempsey, whose shot was saved, but Landon Donovan, following the play all the way, slammed the rebound into the net. The goal sparked pandemonium and sent the USA through to the knockout stages as group winners for the first time since 1930.
Diego Maradona, 1986
In a politically charged quarter-final against England, just four minutes after the infamous 'Hand of God', Diego Maradona scored what is widely considered the 'Goal of the Century'. While the first goal was defined by controversy, the second was pure genius under pressure. Picking the ball up in his own half, he embarked on a mesmerising 60-yard run, slicing through five English players before rounding the keeper to score. It was a goal that single-handedly decided a high-stakes match and perfectly encapsulated Maradona's flawed but brilliant genius on his way to winning the tournament.
