World Cup 2018: Top 5 high-scoring World Cup Final matches

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final
Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager after Pele to score in a World Cup Final match

With 169 goals, FIFA World Cup 2018 has come third in terms of total goals scored, behind only 1998 and 2014 editions which are tied with 171 goals each. Several penalties awarded in regular time considerably helped this year's tally of goals.

The final match between France and Croatia was no exception and as many as 6 goals were scored in the 90-minute decider including one from the spot by Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann.

However, even after having as many goals as the last four final matches combined, this year's final is not the highest scoring final match ever. So let us take a look at the top 5 high-scoring final matches at the World Cups.


#5 France 4 - 2 Croatia (2018)

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH64-FRA-CRO
Paul Pogba scores the third French goal against Croatia.

France were somewhat shaky in the first half of the final, while Croatia seemed to be the aggressor. However, in a series of unfortunate events, Croatia conceded first and that too through an own goal by Mario Mandzukic, who was defending an indirect free-kick from Antoine Griezmann.

Ivan Perisic equalised as he brought the ball under control with a wonderful first touch and followed up with a blazing shot. He then went on to concede a controversial penalty that allowed France to go one up.

In the second half, France dominated with their attacking game and most of the times Vida was left in the trail of Mbappe's fast runs. Paul Pogba scored his team's third and Mbappe scored the fourth becoming the first teenager after Pele (Age: 17; 1958) to score in a World Cup Final match.

After this, Croatia were pretty much out of it even though Mandzukic got one back when he caught Hugo Lloris napping thus, hampering Lloris' golden glove chances.

No matter how organised the Croatian attacks were, the French finishing and an under-performing Rebic who kept losing the ball lost them the golden opportunity to win the World Cup.

#4 England 4 - 2 West Germany (1966)

World Cup Final, 1966. 30th July, 1966. Wembley Stadium, England. England 4 v West Germany 2. England's controversial third goal scored by Geoff Hurst in the first half of extra time. German goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski dives for the ball after it had hit th
Geoff Hurst scores England's third and his second goal in the 1966 final against West Germany

It was a game to remember for ages. Helmut Haller put the Germans in the lead in the 12th minute but Geoff Hurst equalised within six minutes.

The first half ended at 1-1. England went one up in the 78th minute through Martin Peters. However, that was not enough to decide the game as Wolfgang Weber put the two teams on level terms again with a minute to go before full time.

The match extended into extra-time. Eleven minutes into extra-time, came perhaps the most controversial goal that the finals have ever seen. Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and bounced outside the goal area (as proved later) which the linesman indicated to be a goal.

The Germans in desperation put all men forward to attack which allowed an unmarked Hurst to get his hat-trick goal at the other end. It still remains the only hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Thus, England got their only World Cup victory defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra-time.

#3 Italy 4 - 2 Hungary (1938)

World Cup 1938. Final. Paris, France. 19th June, 1938. Italy 4 v Hungary 2. Titkos score Hungary's first goal in the World Cup Final.
Pal Titkos scores Hungary's first goal against Italy in the 1938 World Cup Final

Pal Titkos opened the scoring within six minutes of the beginning of the match. Hungary led the match for two minutes as Gino Colaussi equalised for Italy in the eighth minute.

The Italians increased their lead with a Silvio Piola strike and Gino Colaussi scored his second to end the half with a 3-1 lead.

In the second half, Hungary scored at the 70-minute mark from a Gyorgy Sarosi strike but could not build upon it as Italy scored again to settle on a final scoreline of 4-2 in their favour.

It was the third world cup and still a scoreline of 4-2 in the final match did not topple any records as it was not the first time that it happened.

#2 Uruguay 4 - 2 Argentina (1930)

World Cup Final, 1930, Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay 4 v Argentina 2. Uruguay's Pablo Dorado (out of picture) beats Argentina's goalkeeper Juan Botasso to score the first goal of the match after 12 minutes.
Argentine goalkeeper Juan Botasso is beaten resulting in the first goal of the match after 12 minutes

The first world cup final held in Montevideo in 1930 saw six goals the same amount as the latest final. Pablo Dorado scored first after just 12 minutes of play putting Uruguay in the lead. Eight minutes later, Carlos Peucelle put Argentina on terms. In the 37th minute, Guillermo Stabile's goal made sure that Argentina led the match while going into halftime.

But it was not to be for Argentina, as 12 minutes into the second half, Pablo Cea scored the equaliser for Uruguay. Victoriano Iriarte put Uruguay ahead 11 minutes later and finally, Hector Castro scored with only one minute of full time remaining to settle the final scoreline at an impressive 4-2.

Thus, Uruguay became the first World Champions.

#1 Brazil 5 - 2 Sweden (1958)

1958 World Cup Final. Stockholm, Sweden. 29th June, 1958. Sweden 2 v Brazil 5. Brazil's Pele shoots as he is challenged by a Swedish defender.
Brazil's Pele shoots as he is challenged by a Swedish defender in the 1958 World Cup Final match

Sweden scored the first goal of the match after just four minutes. After that, the star-studded Brazilian attack took over and Vava equalised in the ninth minute and scored again in the 32nd to put Brazil in the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Pele became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final match at the age of 17.

13 minutes later Zagallo further extended the Brazilian lead to three goals. Agne Simonsson took one back for Sweden but all was not done. Pele scored another in the final minute to settle the final score at 5-2.

Thus, Brazil's first world cup winning final remains to this day the highest scoring World Cup final match ever.

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Edited by Alan John
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