The 10 Greatest World Cup Finals of All Time, Ranked

Paolo Rossi walked into Spain '82 under a two-year match-fixing ban and walked out with the Golden Boot and the trophy. Cabrini had already shanked the first penalty ever missed in a final, but the second half was all Italy — Rossi, then Tardelli's open-mouthed, tear-streaked scream after the second, the most replayed celebration in the sport. Dino Zoff lifted it at 40, still the oldest captain ever to do so.

A blizzard of ticker-tape, a host nation under a military junta, and a Dutch side reaching a second straight final without ever winning one. Rensenbrink struck the post in the last minute of normal time; in extra time Mario Kempes — the tournament's top scorer — bullied Argentina home and teed up Bertoni. Heavy on controversy, heavier on atmosphere.

Low on goals, sky-high on tension. Higuaín spurned a gilt-edged chance, Messi dragged a late free shot wide, and the night looked destined for penalties — until substitute Mario Götze chested down André Schürrle's cross and volleyed in the 113th-minute winner. Germany's fourth star, sealed by the only goal of the game.

The highest-scoring final in history and the night a 17-year-old announced himself to the planet. Pelé scored twice — including a lob-over-the-defender-and-volley that still looks invented — Vavá added a brace, and Brazil won their first title away from home in the host's own backyard. Seven goals, one teenager, the start of an era.

Not strictly a 'final' — 1950 was decided by a round-robin — but the Maracanazo is the most devastating result the tournament has ever produced. Brazil needed only a draw in front of a record crowd officially logged at 173,850 (and widely believed to be nearer 200,000). Friaça scored, the stadium roared, then Schiaffino and Ghiggia silenced it forever. Brazil mourned for decades.

The Miracle of Bern. Hungary's Mighty Magyars were unbeaten in over 30 matches, had thrashed these same Germans 8-3 in the group stage, and led 2-0 inside eight minutes. Then it unravelled in the Swiss rain: Morlock and Rahn levelled, and Rahn's 84th-minute winner pulled off the biggest upset a final has ever seen — and arguably birthed modern German football.

England's only star, and the first hat-trick ever scored in a World Cup final (only Mbappé has matched it since). Weber's last-gasp equaliser forced extra time, then came the ghost goal — Hurst's shot smashing down off the underside of the bar, the Soviet linesman's nod, and an argument that has run for six decades. Hurst's fourth, with fans spilling onto the pitch, gave English football its most famous line.