Top 5 Most Famous Football Matches Of All Time
Football has seen numerous greats throughout its history, including players who have shaped and transformed the sport to the point that they are recognised as global icons and of a calibre we have never seen. Football has produced some of the greatest sporting moments in history in addition to sporting titans like Pele, Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The quality of entertainment and, most importantly, the football that the teams and players deliver is a commonality throughout both the international and club level events.
PSG vs Barcelona
In an astounding Champions League Round of 16 tie in 2016-17, Barcelona lost 4-0 to French champions PSG in the first leg, but came back 6-1 at the Camp Nou in the second leg to advance with an aggregate score of 6-5. Messi and Neymar drove the charge, with Neymar registering a stunning assist on the last minute winner in the 95th minute, and scoring two of his own as well. Incredibly, Barcelona scored three goals after the 87th minute after a remarkable comeback, and the comeback match was dubbed "La Remontada" of the original match against PSG.
Brazil vs Germany
Brazil was heavily favoured to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup as the host nation and with Neymar as their star forward, however, when Neymar was injured in the quarter-finals, it was a blow to their campaign. In the semi-finals, Brazil had one of the biggest shocks in the history of football as Germany destroyed them, 7-1. The loss was immense and the nation was left in tears as their World Cup dream collapsed.
Germany 3-4 Italy
The semi-final of the 1970 World Cup is known as the `Game of the Century' for a reason. Italy took an early lead, then Germany drew level in the dying seconds to take the match to extra time. In extra time there were several dramatic back-and-forth moments, climaxing in five goals scored in extra time alone. Italy ultimately won the match 4-3, but went on to be defeated in the final by Pele's Brazil.
France vs Argentina
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France was a historic thriller, ending 3-3 after extra time. Messi starred for Argentina, while Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick kept France alive. The match went to penalties, where Argentina triumphed 4-2 thanks to Martinez’s heroics. Messi finally fulfilled his dream by lifting the World Cup trophy.
El Clasico
In the 2008–09 El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, Pep Guardiola's Barcelona decimated Real Madrid in one of the biggest defeats in their history, winning 6-2. Messi and Henry both scored two goals, and Piqué even got in on the act with a late goal as well. Pep's tactical genius, playing Messi as a false 9, completely shredded Madrid's back-four. A defining fixture for both FC Barcelona and Pep Guardiola, it was a performance that demonstrated Barca's brilliance.
