8 History-Making World Cup Moments Through the Ages
At Glue Store we are celebrating the world game with our favourite moments from the World Cup through the ages. From the making of legends to the pride of nations, all these moments were made with a soccer ball at the feet and the world in front.
As the knockout stage of the World Cup gets underway, we look back on the moments that have brought something of the human spirit to the forefront of the world's largest and greenest stage.
Diego Maradona vs England 1986 – The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century
At a time in history when the wound of the Falkland Islands War was still smarting, Argentina who were giants in football came up against England, an imperial world power.
The double whammy that would go down in history as the most notorious goal ever scored and the most glorious goal ever scored were made mere minutes apart.
English goalie, Peter Shilton, and Diego Maradona both jumped to head the ball. Maradona reached the ball first, punching it into the goal and scoring, the handball going uncontested by the referee. Moments later, Maradona dribbled the ball past a barrage of defenders, in the most dizzying moment of football history, and scored in an act of brilliance. Argentina went on to win the World Cup in 1986, defying physics, the law, and God all in one match.
Mexico Hosted the World Cup in the Wake of a Devastating Earthquake in 1986
In 1985, Mexico City was struck by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake which claimed the lives of at least 10,000 people. It devastated the city less than a year before Mexico was due to host the World Cup. The earthquake decimated not only homes and infrastructure, but telephone lines and electricity. Somehow, amazingly, the two stadiums in Mexico City remained intact. After pulling together in time for the World Cup, the competition went ahead, albeit with lumpy grounds which would cause the ball to ricochet unpredictably, favouring those players who grew up kicking a ball around on the uneven streets of developing countries.
Mexico staged a successful tournament, winning their opening game against Belgium and galvanising the country.
The Queen presents England with the World Cup in Wembley Stadium, 1966
There’s no better feeling than winning a World Cup on home soil. In 1966, England progressed through to a final showdown against West Germany.
With Queen Elizabeth II watching from the stands, West Germany scored in the final minutes, bringing the score to 2-2 and progressing the match to extra time. In extra time, Geoff Hurst scored twice more to seal victory. One of these goals hit the crossbar and ricocheted millimetres over the goal line, raising the ire of the Germans in the time before VAR, who argued that the ball didn’t cross the line. The cup was presented to the English team by the queen, in Wembley Stadium.
Johan Cruyff Invents the Cruyff Turn in 1974
From the country which invented “total football” (totaalvoetbal) and brought dynamic tactics to the field, came one of the greatest footballers of all time. Dutch footballer, Johan Cruyff made famous what became known as “The Cruyff Turn” which has gone on to be much recreated in modern football. He first debuted the feint followed by a 180 degree turn at the 1974 World Cup final against West Germany. Though West Germany went on to win, the Netherlands as helmed by Cruyff displayed the flair which made the match memorable.
The World Discovers James Rodriguez in 2014
During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Colombia became fan favourites thanks to the then 22-year-old James Rodriguez. Stepping up to provide attacking flair when captain Radamel Falcao was out with an injury, he scored 6 goals and had 2 assists winning the Golden Boot that year for scoring the most goals in the World Cup. Colombia made it to the quarter finals before losing to the host nation, Brazil. But not before James pulled this absolute one-for-the-books out against Uruguay, taking a lightning-fast glance back at the goalie before receiving a long ball and scoring yards out from the goal box.
Is Guillermo Ochoa the best goalkeeper … ever?
Mexico’s Ochoa is famous for being a magician in front of the goal posts. Known to be an expert in stopping penalty shots and a wizard when it comes to the mathematics of halting an oncoming missile from some of the most powerful strikers in the world, Ochoa does it all.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and again in Russia in 2018, this was no exception, earning his place as a fearsome goalie that most teams dread seeing between the goalposts.
Pelé leads Brazil to victory as a teenager in 1958
In 1958, at a time when it was traditional to bring older, more experienced players to compete at the World Cup, team Brazil was making headlines for having a 17-year-old boy on their side. That 17-year-old was none other than Pelé. Pelé demonstrated quick thinking and a characteristically South American playing style to outsmart the opposition in high pressure situations. He led Brazil to their first World Cup victory and then to two more in 1962 and 1970. The legendary first win left us with the lasting images of him being lifted onto the shoulders of his teammates in the golden jersey of his country.
Australia qualifies for the round of 16 for the first time in 2006
Against world class teams, making headway in the World Cup and matching in experience and skill has always been a struggle for the Australian national team. But for the first time in Germany 2006, Australia progressed from the group stage to the knock-out portion of the competition, after qualifying to compete at the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. After drawing with Croatia, they then came up against Italy and bowed out thereafter, but not without the excitement of having gone further than ever before.