The 10 Greatest World Cup Finals of All Time

Throughout World Cup history, there have been many memorable matches. From Group Stage upsets to a side that some people cannot point out on a map making the quarterfinals, the World Cup is one incredible competition.

Every four years, the biggest game in all of sports comes upon us for one day before leaving us for 48 months. That match is the World Cup final, which can leave some nations feeling tons of joy for four more years while some countries have to go back home knowing that they could not win the World Cup trophy. With this in mind, here is my list of the Ten Greatest World Cup finals.

10. 1994 - Brazil vs Italy

A matchup between the two sides that have won the most World Cup's, Brazil and Italy met in the Rose Bowl to decide the 1994 World Cup. In order to get there, Brazil had to beat the likes of the host nation (the United States), the Netherlands, and Sweden, while Italy beat the likes of Spain and a surprise Bulgaria side to reach the final.

Even though this wasn't the greatest World Cup match ever played (it ended in a scoreless draw after 120 minutes), this was the first ever World Cup that would be decided in a penalty shootout.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, Brazil were able to win 3-2 after Italy's Roberto Baggio missed a potential goal that would have tied the shootout with Brazil needing to score to win the World Cup. With the title, Brazil won their fourth World Cup.

9. 2006 - Italy vs France

Going into the 2006 World Cup final, Italy and France were two sides that were able to play solid football and get great play from their stars (Zinedine Zidane for France and the entire Italian defense that only conceded one goal throughout the World Cup).

In their quest to the World Cup final, Italy had to beat the likes of Ukraine and Germany while France had a much harder matchup, beating the likes of Spain, Brazil, and Portugal to make their second World Cup final.

Early on in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, the French won a penalty that Zidane was able to convert while Andrea Pirlo's corner was converted into the goal by Marco Materazzi, tying the match at one.

After Materazzi's goal, there were no more goals in regular time, causing extra time in the World Cup final for only the second time ever.

In the 110th minute, Zidane got red carded for headbutting Materazzi after the two exchanged words, and penalties were required to decide who would be the World Cup champion.

During the ensuing shootout, France's David Trezeguet hit the crossbar, and Italy were able to win 5-3 to become the World Cup Champions for the fourth time in their history.

8. 1974 - West Germany vs Netherlands

The host nation for the 1974 World Cup, West Germany were in a group that consisted of East Germany, Australia, and Chile, the latter two of which they beat to advance onto the knockout group.

While in the knockout group, the West Germans defeated Poland, Sweden, and Yugoslavia as they reached the final against a Dutch side in the middle of a great run.

In the World Cup, the Netherlands beat the likes of Uruguay, Brazil, East Germany, and Argentina to reach the final.

In the final, the Dutch took a 1-0 lead off a penalty by Johan Neeskens before the West Germans even had an attempt to touch the football, but the West Germans did not give up.

With goals from Paul Breitner on a penalty and Gerd Müller in the 43rd minute, West Germany won their second World Cup, and were able to beat the Total Football concept by the Dutch to do so.

7. 1982 - Italy vs West Germany

In the 1982 World Cup, Italy (who had not won a World Cup since 1938), were able to beat the odds and make a deep run in the World Cup by defeating Brazil, Argentina, and Poland to reach the final, while West Germany beat England, Spain, and France out to make the final.

But in the final, the Azzurri were no match for the West Germans, as they were able to win 3-1 behind goals from Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, and Alessandro Altobelli in the second half to break the 44 year dry spell without the World Cup trophy for the Azzurri.

6. 1958 - Brazil vs Sweden

In the 1958 World Cup, Brazil were ready to overcome their prior demons of failing to the win the World Cup in 1950 and 1954 as they headed to Sweden.

While there, Brazil gave birth to one of the greatest footballers of all time, a 17-year-old Pele, as Brazil were able to get past their group of the Soviet Union, England, and Austria to the knockout stage, where they beat Wales and France to reach the final.

Meanwhile for host Sweden, they were able to defeat Hungary and Mexico to reach the knockout stage, where they beat Yugoslavia and defending champion West Germany.

In the final (where Brazil were wearing their blue shirts that they bought in Sweden right before the match), Brazil were able to get goals from Vavá (two), Mário Zagallo, and Pele (who also had two) as Brazil crushed Sweden by a 5-2 score to win their first World Cup for the nation that has won the most World Cups of all time.

5. 1986 - Argentina vs West Germany

In the 1986 World Cup final, Argentina and West Germany met each other in Mexico's famed Estadio Azteca marking the second time in history that the stadium would host the World Cup final.

In order to get their, Argentina beat the likes of England (with a Hand of God) and a surprise Belgium side, while West Germany beat host Mexico (in penalties) and France to reach the final.

In the final, only José Luis Brown was able to score in the first half before a second half for the ages.

In that second half, Argentina took a 2-0 lead via Jorge Valdano, but West Germany got goals in the 74th and 80th minute from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler to tie the match at two.

But in the 83rd minute, Jorge Burruchaga scored the match winner in the 3-2 contest, giving Argentina their second World Cup and Argentine legend Diego Maradona his only World Cup.

4. 1966 - England vs West Germany

Even though it is still the only World Cup that the English have ever been able to win, the 1966 World Cup was still one incredible World Cup that had a final for the ages.

In order for the two to face each other at Wembley, England had to beat the likes of France, Argentina, and Portugal to make the final while West Germany had to also beat the likes of Argentina, Uruguay, and the Soviet Union to go to Wembley.

In regular time, England were able to get goals from Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters while West Germany got goals from Helmut Haller and Wolfgang Weber in the final seconds with a goal that involved a hand in the box.

Little did anybody know that the next goal was going to be even more controversial. In the 101st minute, Hurst nailed a shot off the crossbar and an area near the goal that was inconclusive.

But after Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst consulted Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov and Bakhramov said the ball crossed the line, giving England the lead 3-2. Afterwards, Hurst scored as the fans came onto the field, giving England a 4-2 win as they won their first World Cup.

3. 1970 - Brazil vs Italy

One of the most entertaining football clubs in history, Brazil went into the 1970 World Cup looking for redemption after their disappointing run in the 1966 World Cup. And of course Brazil did not stop at all, as they were able to get to the final by beating the likes of Peru and Uruguay.

In the final, the Brazilians would have to face an Italian side that beat Mexico and West Germany (in the Game of the Century) to face Brazil. But Italy were no match for Brazil at all, as goals by Pele, Gérson, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto Torres allowed Brazil to win 4-1 in there then-record third World Cup championship.

To this day, the Brazilian side that played in the 1970 World Cup is considered to be the greatest World Cup side in history, and they were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet trophy as the first three-time winner of the World Cup was allowed to keep the trophy. Also, Pele won his record third World Cup, a feat that no other footballer has been able to achieve.

2. 1954 - West Germany vs Hungary

Going into the 1954 World Cup, Hungary were the heavy favorites after their incredible stretch of greatness going into the World Cup with wins at Wembley vs England, an Olympic Gold, and winning the Central European International Cup in 1953.

In the group stage, Hungary beat the West Germans by a 8-3 game, a match in which the Germans had their B squad out due to a playoff game against Switzerland right after the match.

Regardless of that, West Germany beat Brazil and Uruguay (the two finalists in the 1950 World Cup) while the West Germans went through Yugoslavia and overwhelmed Austria 6-1 to reach the final.

Early on, the Hungarians got goals by Ferenc Puskás and Zoltán Czibor to take a 2-0 lead. But the West Germans fought back, getting goals via Max Morlock and Helmut Rahn to tie the match at two.

As the match started to head towards its end, Rahn was able to fake out the Hungarians to score from 20 yards out, giving the West Germans a 3-2 lead that they would never relinquish nor changed.

With the win, the morale of West Germany was raised after they lost World War II, and it helped revive German history. This match is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets in football history.

1. 1950 - Uruguay vs Brazil

Probably one of (if not the single) biggest upsets in World Cup finals history, the Uruguay vs Brazil encounter was played at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. In order to win their first World Cup, Brazil only needed to have a draw against Uruguay and the Jules Rimit trophy would be theirs.

With approximately 200,000 people at the Maracanã for the final, almost everyone their expected Brazil to win, and early on, Brazil continued to attack the goal, but were not able to score. In the second half, Friaça was able to score, giving Brazil a 1-0 lead and causing the crowd at the Maracanã to erupt once more.

But Uruguay continued to play their game, and were rewarded with their play with a goal from Juan Alberto Schiaffino in the 66th minute before Alcides Ghiggia scored again for Uruguay to give them a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute, which Uruguay won the match by to win their second ever World Cup in only their second appearance.

Brazil and their fans were completely stunned by this result and Jules Rimit did not give his speech that he wrote for Brazil due to the Brazilians not winning. At the time, no one in Brazil was able to accept defeat in what is still the greatest World Cup of all time.