Greatest: Argentina 3-3 France (2022)
Widely regarded as the greatest final ever, this was a clash of titans that had everything. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, stormed to a 2-0 lead and looked set to cruise to victory. But with just over 10 minutes to go, Kylian Mbappé exploded, scoring
two goals in 97 seconds to force extra time. The drama didn't stop there. Messi scored again in extra time, only for Mbappé to complete his hat-trick with another penalty, becoming only the second man to do so in a World Cup final. The match went to a penalty shootout, where Argentina triumphed, finally giving Messi the one trophy that had eluded him and cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
Greatest: West Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954)
Known as the “Miracle of Bern,” this final was the ultimate underdog story. Hungary's “Mighty Magyars” were the undisputed best team in the world, unbeaten in 31 matches and having already thrashed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage. When they went 2-0 up within eight minutes, the final looked like a formality. However, the Germans fought back, leveling the score at 2-2 by the 18th minute. Against all odds, Helmut Rahn scored the winner in the 84th minute to complete one of the most astonishing comebacks in football history. The victory was more than a sporting triumph; it was a symbol of West Germany's post-war resurgence.
Greatest: Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)
This final was not a close contest but a masterclass in attacking football, the coronation of the team many consider the greatest ever. Led by Pelé in his final World Cup match, Brazil put on a dazzling display of “samba-style” football against a strong Italian side. Pelé opened the scoring with a towering header before Italy equalized. But the second half was all Brazil, with Gérson, Jairzinho, and finally Carlos Alberto scoring. Alberto's iconic final goal, a sweeping team move involving almost the entire team, was the perfect ending to a tournament illuminated by Brazil's brilliance.
Greatest: Argentina 3-2 West Germany (1986)
This was the final where Diego Maradona, who had dominated the tournament, dragged his team to glory. Argentina took a 2-0 lead through José Luis Brown and Jorge Valdano and seemed to be in complete control. But the Germans, known for their resilience, mounted a stunning comeback, scoring twice in seven minutes through Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler to level the match. Just as extra time loomed, Maradona produced a moment of genius, threading a perfect pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who scored the dramatic winner in the 84th minute.
Greatest: England 4-2 West Germany (1966)
A final filled with high drama, controversy, and a last-minute equalizer, all on home soil at Wembley. After England took a 2-1 lead, West Germany scored in the final minute of normal time to force extra time. The defining moment came when Geoff Hurst's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down. The referee awarded the goal after consulting his linesman, a decision still debated to this day. Hurst went on to complete the first-ever World Cup final hat-trick in the dying moments, sealing England's first and only World Cup title.
Worst: Brazil 0-0 Italy (1994)
The first and only World Cup final to end 0-0 after extra time was a forgettable affair defined by heat, tension, and a lack of clear chances. Played in the searing heat of Pasadena, California, two giants of world football cancelled each other out for 120 minutes. The match was ultimately decided by the drama of a penalty shootout. It ended when Italy's star player, Roberto Baggio, who had carried his team to the final, famously missed the decisive penalty, sending his shot over the crossbar and handing Brazil their fourth title.
Worst: Spain 1-0 Netherlands (2010)
This final is remembered less for the football and more for its aggression and record-breaking number of cards. Referee Howard Webb showed a staggering 14 yellow cards and one red, as the Dutch team adopted a relentlessly physical approach to stop Spain's 'tiki-taka' style. The game was cagey and brutal, with Nigel de Jong's infamous kung-fu kick on Xabi Alonso being the most memorable moment of a cynical match. Andrés Iniesta finally broke the deadlock with a winner late in extra time to give Spain its first World Cup, but the final itself was a poor spectacle.
Worst: West Germany 1-0 Argentina (1990)
A dour and ill-tempered rematch of the thrilling 1986 final, this game is often cited as one of the ugliest finals in history. Argentina, missing several key players, adopted a defensive, negative strategy from the outset. The match was marred by fouls and became the first final to see a player sent off, with Argentina finishing the game with nine men. The decisive moment came in the 85th minute with a controversial penalty awarded to West Germany, which Andreas Brehme converted to secure the win. It was a fittingly drab end to a tournament criticised for its defensive football.
