10 of the most talked about matches in the last ten FIFA World Cups (excluding the final)

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most talked about sporting events. From Rob Rensenbrink's missed opportunity in 1978 to the Argentine heartbreaks in 2014, the viewers will remember the final as if it happened yesterday.

However, the final isn't the only game which the people will talk about for ages to come. Some matches in the group and the knockout stages will be remembered by the fans for years too.

While some teams showed brilliant sportsmanship in their World Cup journey, others inscribed their names in the history books with their unscrupulous spirits.

Then, there was the Hand of God.

Experts till date debate whether Maradona should have celebrated the goal or condemned it. The goal augmented the rivalry between the English and the Argentines. The English felt it cheated them out of the World Cup while the Argentines had no regrets for Maradona's deeds.

But that's not all. Despite the match not taking place at the final of the tournament, they had made a significant impact and corroborated that their outcomes were imprinted on the memory cells of the audiences permanently.

Also Read: 10 FIFA World Cup records that will never be broken

#10 Match-fixing allegations in the 6-0 thumping

Match-fixing allegations in the 1978 FIFA World Cup — Mario Kemes celebrates after scoring the third goal against Peru

Controversy surrounded 1978 FIFA World Cup even before the tournament had begun. Two years before the tournament, Argentina had suffered a military coup which was known as the National Reorganization Process.

The world witnessed political manipulation of sports in the 1934 FIFA World Cup and 1936 Berlin Olympics. Fearing the same, many countries like the Netherlands publicly considered whether they should participate in the tournament or not.

Even with all the teams participating in it, controversies didn't take a backseat. In the final round of Group B, Argentina delayed the kick-off. As a result, they knew that they had to beat Peru by four goals or more to qualify for the finals, and they won the game 6-0.

As expected, many people questioned the Peruvian players' patriotism. Brazilian media pointed the fact that the Peruvian goalkeeper had been born in Argentina. The British media alleged that a large grain shipment had been delivered by Argentina and a Peruvian bank account held by the Argentine Central Bank had been unfrozen.

A Colombian drug lord proclaimed in his book that the Peruvian team had been bribed without any political implications. And on top of that, a Peruvian leftist-politician claimed that 13 Peruvian dissidents exiled in Argentina had been sent back to Peru. All of this in exchange for their loss.

At the end of the day, none of the match-fixing allegations could be proved. But the match tarnished the image of Argentines in front of the world. Even 44 years later, no one applauds the Argentines' brilliant footballing skill in that match. All they talk about is how Argentina, supposedly, cheated their way to the World Cup.

#9 The disgrace of Gijon

Austria, Algeria, West Germany, and Chile were put in the same group at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Algeria wasn't expected to win any of the matches in their group. However, they shocked the world with a 2-1 victory over the mighty West German side.

A 0-2 loss to Austria and a 3-2 win over Chile meant that the African side finished the group with four points in their bag. Meanwhile, West Germany had only 2 points and Austria 4 before their final encounter. As a result, a win by one or two goals for West Germany would result in them and Austria qualifying at the expense of Algeria to the next round.

And, that is what exactly happened. West Germany got the lead through Horst Hrubesch in the tenth minute, and both the teams refused to show any urgency.

Abhorring the incident, journalists and commentators expressed their disgust vehemently. A German commentator declined to cover the match any further. An Austrian commentator literally pleaded the viewers to turn off their television sets.

A New York Times journalist accused the teams to work in a concert. And El Comercio, the local newspaper, printed the match report in its crime section.

As a result, the final pair of group matches in international tournaments always started at the same time from the henceforth FIFA and UEFA tournaments. But, Algeria and the rest of the world will never forgive the two European sides.

#8 Maradona's Hand of God and the Goal of the Century

The hand of God — Diego Maradona scores the Hand of God

Argentina and England had a huge footballing rivalry in the second half of the 19th century and early 2000s. So, when they locked horns at the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, Mexico was bound to witness one of the best football matches for years to come.

Argentina attacked from the word go, and England relied on the counter-attack in the first half. Despite Maradona's brilliant efforts for a goal, he was unable to beat the English goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

But, two second-half goals from Maradona became the talking point for years to come. Hoping for a one-two pass with Jorge Valdano, he continued his run. However, the ball reached Steve Hodge who had come back to defend. Hodge's ill-timed clearance saw the ball flying into the penalty arena with both Peter Shilton and Maradona chasing to win the ball.

Despite being eight inches shorter than him, Maradona reached the ball first with the outside of his left hand. The ball crossed the goal-line, the referee didn't notice it, and the goal was allowed.

At the post-match press conference, he commented that the goal was a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God. Thereby, the infamous goal was named the Hand of God.

Just four minutes later, the Goal of the Century was scored. After receiving a pass inside his own half, Maradona began his 60-yard, 10-second dash towards the English goal. On his way, he dribbled across Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice) and Terry Fenwick.

One-on-one with the keeper, the Argentine deceived him and slotted the ball to the back of the net. There have been countless spectacular goals in the FIFA World Cup. But none of them matched Maradona's goal.

#7 Cameroon's shocker against the defending champions

The FIFA World Cup has witnessed innumerable upsets in the earlier stages of the tournament. However, none of them matches with the underdog story of Cameroon in the 1990 FIFA World Cup which began with a 1-0 victory over the mighty Argentines.

The defending champions Argentina's line-up comprised of some of the all-time greats like Sergio Batista, Jorge Burruchaga, and of course, Diego Maradona. Meanwhile, the opposition constituted of players from the lower French divisions. In no way, the spectators expected Argentina to get the short end of the stick.

But such is football. Moreover, Cameroon didn't win by a stroke of luck. The referee Michel Vautrot’s grit to stick to the FIFA’s guidelines in dealing with fouls forced him to send-off two Cameroon players. But the African nation was adamant and maintained their 1-0 lead after a goal by Francis Omam-Biyik in the 67th minute.

“No one thought we could do anything here against Maradona, but we knew what we could do,” the goalscorer, François Omam-Biyik, said after the game. “We hate it when European reporters ask us if we eat monkeys and have a witch doctor. We are real football players and we proved this tonight.”

This match paved the way for a revolution in African football and today, a lot of players from the continent ply their trade in the top divisions of Europe.

#6 The birth of the Saudi Maradona

Enter capti — The Saudi Maradona's 69m run

The 1994 FIFA World Cup was the first World Cup for Saudi Arabia. In a format which allowed three of the four group teams to qualify for the next round, the Saudis only needed a draw in their game against Belgium. However, a terrific goal from Said Al-Owairan had ensured that Saudi Arabia received all the three points.

Al-Owairan received the first pass in the midfield. He sprinted away and searched for his teammates to pass, but they were all behind him. With acres of space ahead, Al-Owairan accelerated through Belgium's half.

He had run 69 metres with the ball and already took out 4 defenders. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Al-Owairan fired it past Michel Preud'homme into the top corner. This goal resembled Maradona's 1986 World Cup goal in many aspects and earned him the nickname of 'Saudi Maradona.'

This wonder goal became the only goal to be scored by a forward in the tournament. The Saudis would manage to keep the lead and progress to the Round of 16 with the 1-0 victory.

In the Round of 16, they lost to Sweden 3-1 and ended their World Cup campaign. Saudi Arabia became the second Asian nation to qualify from the group stages, and it was all possible due to Al-Owairan's emulation of Maradona.

#5 The most politically charged game

Iran vs USA — Both the teams decided to pose for the photograph together

One of the best things about sports is that it brings peace. The sportsmen forget the political turmoil surrounding them and play the game in the best of the spirits. So, when Iran and the USA went head-to-head in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, they had set an example for the future generations how sports should be played.

There was a lot of off-field drama for the officials to deal with. Firstly, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei gave express orders that the Iranian team must not walk towards the Americans to shake their hands.

Secondly, 7000 tickets would be purchased by a terrorist organisation who had prepared to demonstrate a protest in the match. Thirdly, some intelligence sources claimed that a pitch invasion was going to occur.

While FIFA and the intelligent officials had dealt with all of them, the fears were not gone. But the sportsmanship spirit shown by the Iranian and American players was commendable. Before the kickoff, the two teams exchanged gifts like they were the best of the allies. They even posed for the photograph together!

But once the whistle blew, the teams showed no mercy. Iran took the lead five minutes before half-time thanks to Hamid Estili, and Mehdi Mahdavikia doubled the advantage at the 84th minute. Brian McBride did pull one back for the Americans, but it was too little, too late. The USA might have lost the game but football had won the battle.

After their match, this is what American defender Jeff Agoos had to say: "We did more in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years."

#4 The refereeing partiality for the hosts

Spain vs South Korea 2002 FIFA World Cup — A couple of refereeing howlers detained Spain from reaching the FIFA World Cup semi-final

After a rather three peaceful World Cups, controversy came back in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The South Korean fans might tell you that they reached the semi-final by merit but the Spanish fans will detest this thought process.

The first half was goalless but Spain had come close to scoring a couple of goals. In the 49th minute, Ruben Baraja headed home a swinging ball through a free kick but the referee disallowed the goal for shirt-pulling by Fernando Morientes.

Some terrific goalkeeping by Casillas and brilliant defending by the South Koreans ensured that the scoreline remained 0-0 in full time. In the second minute of extra time, Fernando Morientes headed home a cross in an empty net. However, the linesmen disallowed the goal claiming it to be off-side.

When the game went to the penalties, it was all even, until Joaquin missed for the Spaniards, and the Koreans scored the subsequent penalty. South Korea won 5-3 on penalties and became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in a controversial manner.

After the match, Spain's Ivan Helguera said this: "Everyone saw two perfectly good goals. If Spain didn't win, it's because they didn't let us win."

#3 The Battle of Nuremberg

The Battle of Nuremberg is so-called because the match saw four red cards and sixteen yellow cards, thereby setting the record for the most cards shown at the FIFA World Cup. All the rules of sportsmanship were broken as the referee failed to control this 2006 FIFA World Cup match.

There were numerous confrontations which made this contest a bloodbath. In the first of many instances, Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz was booked for injuring Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo left the pitch in tears, and went on to recount the tackle as "clearly an intentional foul to get me injured."

In another heated moment, Luis Figo headbutted Mark van Bommel and received a yellow card. Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari even appreciated the headbutt saying: "Jesus Christ may be able to turn the other cheek but Luís Figo isn't Jesus Christ." Portugal's Deco roughly fouled Dutch defender John Heitinga and was booked.

One of the unwritten rules of football tells that the Netherlands should have given the ball back. But they didn't. These were just some of the hot-blooded moments as the fourth official had to intervene when Boulahrouz was sent off.

Phillip Cocu wrestled Deco in order to retrieve the ball. And, Simao drew the ire of Edwin van der Saar in his attempt to score a goal.

Portugal won the match 1-0. But till date, no one talks about Maniche's goal. All they talk about is the unsportsmanlike conduct of the players and the coaches.

#2 The Luis Suárez handball

The rules of the beautiful game state that no player other than the goalkeeper is supposed to touch the ball inside the penalty box. But Luis Suárez didn't abide by the rule. He had saved a goal with his outstretched hand in the 120th minute and ensured that Uruguay's hopes in the World Cup remained intact.

In the subsequent penalty, Ghana's Asamoah Gyan shot the ball wide. As a result, the game went to the penalty shootouts where Ghana succumbed. Ghana's dreams of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup were shattered by Luis Suárez.

Suárez showed no signs of remorse as he stated: "I made the best save of the tournament." Suárez even claimed that 'The Hand of God' now belonged to him.

Moreover, Uruguay's coach Óscar Tabárez defended Suárez: "Saying we cheated Ghana is too harsh a word to use... We also abide by what the referee did. It could have been a mistake. Yes, he stuck his hand out, but it's not cheating. What else do you want? Is Suárez also to blame for Ghana missing the penalty? We try to be dignified, and if we lose a match, we look for the reasons for it. You shouldn't look to third parties."

This led to a lot of debate on sportsmanship. Should the players be reprimanded as a cheat, or be praised for their presence of mind?

#1 The repeat of the Maracanãzo

The horrors of Maracana returned when Germany beat Brazil 7-1 — The horrors of Maracana had returned when Germany beat Brazil 7-1

On 6 July 1950, the unthinkable happened. No one in the crowd had thought that Brazil would lose to Uruguay in the decisive game of the tournament. But football doesn't always fulfil the wishes of the fans as Uruguay came from behind to win 2-1, and go home with the Jules Rimet trophy.

The nightmare haunted Brazil back as Germany annihilated them 7-1 in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. There were seven players in the Canarian jersey when Toni Kroos sent over a corner kick, but none of them bothered to mark Thomas Müller. He punished them and Germany got the lead.

Spells of neat passing in the final third and a few defensive lapses allowed the Germans to hammer four more goals in the span of seven minutes.

In the second half, Brazil re-organized their defence and looked more composed. However, it wouldn't last long as substitute Andre Schürrle netted two more goals in the second half. Oscar did score one goal in the extra time, but it was way less than a consolation. The commentator described the goal as "the least celebrated goal in my entire life."

If it weren't for the missed chances and Júlio César's heroic saves, Germany could have reached the double figures.