We kick off our 25 most memorable moments with a goalkeeping error from perennially hotly-rated Russian stopper Igor Akinfeev. The custodian had looked uncomfortable for the majority of his side's opening group game against South Korea, with him flapping at a number of long range efforts from the Koreans. But then in the 68th minute the South Korean forward, Lee Keun-ho, tried his luck from 25 yards out with an effort that appeared to be heading straight into the hands of the experienced Russian. Disastrously, the fingers that seemed so confident turned to butter and the ball went into the net. Russia managed to salvage a point from the game, but there can be no doubt that Akinfeevs error cost them dearly. This must have been a horrible sense of Déjà vu for Russias manager Fabio Capello, who must be cursing his luck as another goalkeeping error has cost his team in a World Cup once again.
24. Pirlos Free-Kick
The British Media had showered Italian Andrea Pirlo with praise since the World Cup draw was made last December and even though ultimately he had a disappointing tournament there was no doubt that he was one of Italys star men in their victory against England. Pirlos genius was best summed up in the dying minutes of Italys opener: they had won free-kick 30 yards from goal and there was only one man who was going to take it. Pirlo duly lashed the free-kick and watched as the Brazuca ball swerved left then right, leaving Joe Hart stranded, as it luckily cannoned off the cross-bar. This moment was made even more memorable in the aftermath as Joe Hart ran to the ball boy shouting Give me the f***ing ball", as was caught rather wonderfully by TV cameras around the world.
