Semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup tournaments usually do not go according to plan. Being close to the final stage is associated with the narrowest margins and increased pressure. The statistics show that
semi-finals are sometimes even more intense than the final match with late goals, extra time and penalties determining the results.
The recent editions provided football fans with such memorable events as the crushing of Brazil by Germany in 2014, Croatia's extra time victory over England in 2018 and Argentina's superiority over Croatia in 2022. However, there are several semi-finals, which stand out for their dramatic nature and high quality.
As can be seen, the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2026 are following this trend. France managed to reach the quarter-finals due to their defense tactics and efficient finishing. Spain won the right to play in the quarter-finals by their control and a goal scored in the end of the match against Belgium. Argentina survived some challenging periods but managed to rely on Lionel Messi's efficiency. England and Norway went into the quarter-final with strong attacking statistics.
Five Most Epic FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals Ever Played
1. Italy 4-3 West Germany (1970)
On June 17, 1970, the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City hosted what is famously dubbed the "Game of the Century." Italy took the lead with a goal from Roberto Boninsegna, but just when it seemed like they had it in the bag, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger equalized in stoppage time, pushing the match into extra time. What followed was a thrilling 30 minutes packed with five goals. Gerd Müller found the net twice for West Germany, but Italy was relentless, responding each time with goals from Tarcisio Burgnich, Luigi Riva, and finally, Gianni Rivera, whose stunning winner in the 111th minute sealed an unforgettable match.
2. West Germany 3-3 France, Germany won on penalties (1982)
The semi-final match in Seville on July 8, 1982, is remembered as one of the most dramatic comebacks in football history. After Michel Platini leveled the score with a penalty, following Pierre Littbarski's early goal, France took control and jumped ahead 3-1 in extra time thanks to Marius Trésor and Alain Giresse. But West Germany wasn't done yet; they fought back with goals from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and a stunning bicycle kick by Klaus Fischer, ultimately clinching victory in the first-ever World Cup penalty shootout, winning 5-4.
3. Germany 7-1 Brazil (2014)
Belo Horizonte was the stage for one of the most shocking moments in football history on July 8, 2014. In a stunning display, Germany found the back of the net five times in just 29 minutes, with goals from Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos, and Sami Khedira. Klose made history by becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer. After halftime, André Schürrle added two more goals, leaving Brazil to face their most crushing World Cup defeat right on their home turf.
4. France 2-1 Croatia (1998)
Croatia shocked the home team, France, when Davor Šuker found the net just seconds after the halftime break in Saint-Denis on July 8, 1998. But that lead didn’t last long, only a minute, in fact. Defender Lilian Thuram quickly leveled the score and then went on to score the winning goal in the 70th minute. It’s incredible to think that those were the only two international goals of Thuram's entire career, and they propelled France into their very first final.
5. Italy 2-0 Germany (2006)
For 119 thrilling minutes in Dortmund on July 4, 2006, it seemed like both teams were destined for a penalty shootout. Goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon and Jens Lehmann were in top form, keeping the scoreline deadlocked. But then, in a moment of brilliance, Andrea Pirlo set up Fabio Grosso, who delivered a stunning finish into the far corner just before the final whistle. Moments later, Alessandro Del Piero added another goal on the counterattack, shattering Germany's unbeaten streak in Dortmund in a truly dramatic fashion.
