11 Classic FIFA World Cup Matches
These are 11 of the greatest games played in the FIFA World Cup finals.
With the FIFA World Cup due to kick off in Russia next month, fans across the globe are rejoicing at the prospect of another festival of football in which the world's finest footie teams will slog it out for glory. Nothing unites people more than the beautiful game, and hopefully, we'll get an exciting tournament full of great games and great goals, and absolutely no patio chairs being hurled through shop windows or overzealous Russian policing.
That said, classic matches are no longer a guarantee at FIFA's summer jamboree. In the modern game, World Cups generally have lower goals per game averages, leading many to lament the lack of excitement found at earlier tournaments (though any who can recall Italia '90 will know there's an element of nostalgia talking here).
But what exactly makes a 'classic' World Cup encounter? Goals help. So does late drama. For the perfect template, look no further than these 11 enduring examples, matches still spoken about to this day.
11. Brazil Vs. Peru (1970, Quarter Final)
Many consider the 1970 FIFA World Cup the best tournament in the tournament's history. It had many thrilling games, and the quarterfinal between Brazil and Peru was among them, as the two South American nations' greatest teams played out an enthralling encounter at the Estadio Jalisco that included six goals.
Brazil started the game strongly, going one up after 11 minutes, when Tostao laid up Rivelino to score with sweet low shot from the edge of Peru's box. Things got even better for Brazil four minutes later when Tostao scored himself. Peru were on the ropes, but they got back in the match during the first half when Chumpitaz played a long ball to Gallardo who fired in a low drive from a very tight angle.
Brazil re-established a two goal lead shortly into the second half when Tostao put the ball in the net, only for Peru to pull another goal back courtesy of Cubillas' low drive. The Brazilians had to finish their opponents off, and they duly did when Jairzinho rushed past Peru's goalkeeper and fired into an open net to make the final score 4-2.