20 best games and goals

From the same people who did the best club/national teams -

Best matches

1 Italy 4-3 West Germany,
World Cup semi-final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 17, 1970

2 Liverpool 3-3 Milan (Liverpool 3-2 on pens),
Champions League Final,
Olympic stadium, Istanbul, May 25, 2005

3 Real Madrid 7-3 Eintracht Frankfurt,
European Cup Final,
Hampden Park, Glasgow, May 18, 1960

4 West Germany 3-3 France, (West Germany 5-4 on pens),
World Cup semi-final,
Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, Seville, July 8, 1982

5 Hungary 4-2 Uruguay,
World Cup semi-final,
La Pontaise stadium, Lausanne, June 30, 1954

6 France 1-1 Brazil, (France 4-3 on pens),
World Cup quarter-final,
Jalisco stadium, Guadalajara, June 21, 1986

7 England 4-2 West Germany,
World Cup Final,
Wembley, July 30, 1966

8 Brazil 4-1 Italy,
World Cup Final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 21, 1970

9 Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid,
European Cup Final,
Olympic stadium, Amsterdam, May 2, 1962

10 England 3-6 Hungary,
Friendly,
Wembley, November 25, 1953

11 West Germany 3 Hungary 2
World Cup Final,
Berne, July 4, 1954

12 Italy 3 Brazil 2
World Cup second group stage,
Barcelona, July 5, 1982

13 Brazil 1 Uruguay 2
World Cup Final,
Rio de Janeiro, July 16, 1950

14 Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1
Champions League Final,
Barcelona, May 26, 1999

15 Blackpool 4 Bolton 3
FA Cup Final,
Wembley, May 2, 1953

16 Liverpool 5 Alaves 4
UEFA Cup Final,
Dortmund, May 16, 2001

17 France 3 Portugal 2
European Championship semi-final,
Marseille, June 23, 1984

18 Barcelona 4 Fortuna Dusseldorf 3
Cup-winners Cup Final,
Basle, May 16, 1979

19 Germany 0 Italy 2
World Cup semi-final,
Dortmund, July 4, 2006

20 West Germany 2 Holland 1
World Cup second round,
Milan, June 24, 1990

Best goals

1 Diego Maradona
54mins, Argentina 2 England 1,
World Cup quarter-final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 22, 1986

2 Marco Van Basten
53mins, Holland 2 Soviet Union 0,
European Championship Final,
Olympic stadium, Munich, June 25, 1988

3 Zinedine Zidane
44mins, Real Madrid 2 Bayer Leverkusen 1,
Champions League Final,
Hampden Park, Glasgow, May 15, 2002

4 Saeed Owairan
5mins, Saudi Arabia 1 Belgium 0,
World Cup first round,
RFK stadium, Washington DC, June 29, 1994

5 Pele
55mins, Brazil 5 Sweden 2,
World Cup Final,
Rasunda stadium, Stockholm, June 29, 1958

6 Archie Gemmill
68mins, Scotland 3 Holland 2,
World Cup first round,
San Martin stadium,
Mendoza, June 11, 1978

7 Carlos Alberto
87mins, Brazil 4 Italy 1,
World Cup Final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 21, 1970

8 Ferenc Puskas
22mins, Hungary 6 England 3,
Friendly,
Wembley, November 25, 1953

9 Diego Maradona
63mins, Argentina 2 Belgium 0,
World Cup semi-final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 25, 1986

10 Lionel Messi
28mins, Barcelona 5 Getafe 2,
Spanish Cup semi-final first leg,
Camp Nou, Barcelona, April 19, 2007

11 Ricky Villa
76mins, Tottenham 3 Manchester City 2,
FA Cup Final, May 14, 1981

12 Ryan Giggs
109mins, Manchester United 2 Arsenal 1,
FA Cup semi-final, April 14, 1999

13 Rivaldo
89mins, Barcelona 3 Valencia 2,
Spanish League, June 17, 2000

14 Dennis Bergkamp
90mins, Holland 2 Argentina 1,
World Cup quarter-final, July 4, 1998

15 Esteban Cambiasso
31mins, Argentina 6 Serbia & Montenegro 0,
World Cup first round, June 16, 2006

16 Michael Owen
16mins, Argentina 2 England 2,
World Cup second round, June 30, 1998

17 Roberto Baggio
78mins, Italy 2 Czechoslovakia 0,
World Cup first round, June 19, 1990

18 George Best
84mins, Manchester United 2 Sheffield United 0,
October 2, 1971

19 Gerd Muller
106mins, West Germany 3 England 2,
World Cup quarter-final, June 14, 1970

20 Helmut Rahn
83mins, West Germany 3 Hungary 2,
World Cup Final, July 4, 1954

L'Equipe said the best 'ever European Game' was Ajax v Bayern Munich , 1973

of course International wise ; Italy v Germany 1970 WC is no1.

The 'guys' who did the best 'teams' lost some respect from that list.

The top 3 goals are spot on I think. Though Carlos Alberto's and Giggsy would be higher imo.

I wouldn't have the Man Utd-Bayern Munich game in my list to be honest, and certainly not that high up. It was an incredible finish, but not a particularly good game. The Holland-Czech Republic game from Euro 2004 ought to be on there as well in my opinion.

Much better lists than the "best teams" one...

Italy 4-3 Germany is the best one.... it was sad that after a game like that, Italy just did not have legs for the final, else that would have been another epic game!!

Parks lives wrote:From the same people who did the best club/national teams -

Best matches

1 Italy 4-3 West Germany,
World Cup semi-final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 17, 1970

Best goals

1 Diego Maradona
54mins, Argentina 2 England 1,
World Cup quarter-final,
Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 22, 1986

Sheffield gunner wrote:I wouldn't have the Man Utd-Bayern Munich game in my list to be honest, and certainly not that high up. It was an incredible finish, but not a particularly good game. The Holland-Czech Republic game from Euro 2004 ought to be on there as well in my opinion.

On both counts.

If they are going to have a United game it should be the one's vs Juventus or Real Madrid.

Madjer backheal goal from the european cup 87 against Bayern should be there in the best goals.

Protheus wrote:Madjer backheal goal from the european cup 87 against Bayern should be there in the best goals.

Yep, same as Panenka's penalty : those are two of the most famous goals of all time.

If you say you scored a "Panenka" or a "Madjer" *everybody* knows what kind of goal you've scored....

Parks lives wrote:

Sheffield gunner wrote:I wouldn't have the Man Utd-Bayern Munich game in my list to be honest, and certainly not that high up. It was an incredible finish, but not a particularly good game. The Holland-Czech Republic game from Euro 2004 ought to be on there as well in my opinion.

:k: On both counts.

If they are going to have a United game it should be the one's vs Juventus or Real Madrid.

Yeah I wouldnt have had the Bayern game as it was pretty average until extra time, the game against Barcelona (both ties), Arsenal (fa cup semi final) and Juve (CL Sf) in the same season were both much better.

I dont think the Liverpool v Milan game should be number 2 either; Milan battered pool for a 100 minutes, but somehow didnt win it, in football terms it was not the second best game ever. Although it had an unbelievable amount of drama and intrigue.

Czech v Holland was a very good game, but for me it shouldnt be on the list. Holland were 2-0 up and cruising until, Robben got subbed off and then the game turned on its head.

What should be on the list is Inter v Lazio - the battle for the title (2000 I think) and the Yugoslavia (3) v Spain (4) in Euro 2000.

I havent seen the other games so I cant comment.

Axeslammer wrote:

Protheus wrote:Madjer backheal goal from the european cup 87 against Bayern should be there in the best goals.

Yep, same as Panenka's penalty : those are two of the most famous goals of all time.

If you say you scored a "Panenka" or a "Madjer" *everybody* knows what kind of goal you've scored....

Exactly

Well they do seem to have some of my favourite games of all time, so I am not complaining....

1 Italy 4-3 West Germany, 1970 I think this is beyond doubt

4 West Germany 3-3 France, 1982 - this should be second best IMO, what a game this was!!!

6 France 1-1 Brazil, 1986 - its the game which converted me from a football enthusiast to a football maniac... I remember every moment of it.

12 Italy 3 Brazil 2, 1982 - surprised to see this so low, this was how the best team ever was beaten! I have very vivid memories, but have seen a lot of highlights!

19 Germany 0 Italy 2, 2006 - it was lenegdary alright, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a game more.

20 West Germany 2 Holland 1, 1990 - You cannot make a list without this one, tho the ranking is probably justified here...

One game they did miss was Newcastle vs Liverpool, the 4-3 game (first one).

That was the best game in the English league for the last 10 - 15 years & certainly one of the best I've ever seen.

Real Madrid 0:2 Ajax 1995

should be on the list

Its not everyday Real Madrid fans boo the opponents every time they touched the ball and gave them a standing ovation at the end.

in fact i hear Real Madrid and many other coaches make youngsters watch the game as they describe it as 'total football in the modern era' and how football should be played.

Parks lives wrote:One game they did miss was Newcastle vs Liverpool, the 4-3 game (first one).

That was the best game in the English league for the last 10 - 15 years & certainly one of the best I've ever seen.

Yeah. The panel seemed to be looking at the International and European Cup games though as they have the highest quality, bar one friendly International which made it on the list. But friendlies mean't more back then.

bluenine wrote:

19 Germany 0 Italy 2, 2006 - it was lenegdary alright, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a game more.

20 West Germany 2 Holland 1, 1990 - You cannot make a list without this one, tho the ranking is probably justified here...

Both of those games didn't offer that much to the neutral spectator IMO.

Germany - Holland is only famous because of the incidents of the game.

I'd take Czechs vs Holland 3:2 2004 over more than half the games mentioned and I'd definitely take Brazil vs Holland 3:2 1994 over Germany vs Holland 1990...

Its good to see the 50's Hungery team getting recognised.

Have watched the entire Hungary - England game at Wembley (you can now buy it on DVD) and the performance by Hungary is without doubt the best performance I've ever seen.

I genuinely beleive that Puskas was quite possibly a better footballer than Maradonna and Pele, when you watch what he could do with a ball he was equal to both at least - he just couldn't win Hungary the World Cup and in history that will always be a mark against him.

I also think the Liverpool-Milan game is hugely overrated - it wasn't real end to end football - it was a very one sided game of football. Personally I prefer games that ebb and flow - I enjoyed the Man Utd - Madrid game far more, or the Man Utd - Barcelona games...

rai quagmire wrote:Real Madrid 0:2 Ajax 1995

should be on the list

Its not everyday Real Madrid fans boo the opponents every time they touched the ball and gave them a standing ovation at the end.

in fact i hear Real Madrid and many other coaches make youngsters watch the game as they describe it as 'total football in the modern era' and how football should be played.

You've heard incorrectly. In fact, as far I know -- that match never occurred.

No German national team in the "best teams of all times" list, but plenty of games in the "best matches of all times list" with Germany involved. Oh the irony...

They were Cr@p, they just played outstanding matches.

blutgraetsche wrote:No German national team in the "best teams of all times" list, but plenty of games in the "best matches of all times list" with Germany involved. Oh the irony...

They were Cr@p, they just played outstanding matches.

Well the modern Liverpool team are in it twice and they are not prominently known for their great football.

First of all, "great football" is a very subjective label. Second, those matches were great, hence the teams involved entertained the viewers to a very high degree. Third, if you have the slightest clue about the history of German football, you would have known that the German team of the 1970s is actually known for the 'stylish' and brilliant play foremost, in addition to their success. On paper, the 80s were actually an even more successful era, for example, but the 70s team is widely known as the best.

Jaime wrote:

rai quagmire wrote:Real Madrid 0:2 Ajax 1995

should be on the list

Its not everyday Real Madrid fans boo the opponents every time they touched the ball and gave them a standing ovation at the end.

in fact i hear Real Madrid and many other coaches make youngsters watch the game as they describe it as 'total football in the modern era' and how football should be played.

You've heard incorrectly. In fact, as far I know -- that match never occurred.

I must have been in the 'Twilight Zone'

blutgraetsche wrote:First of all, "great football" is a very subjective label. Second, those matches were great, hence the teams involved entertained the viewers to a very high degree. Third, if you have the slightest clue about the history of German football, you would have known that the German team of the 1970s is actually known for the 'stylish' and brilliant play foremost, in addition to their success. On paper, the 80s were actually an even more successful era, for example, but the 70s team is widely known as the best.

Blut I was just winding you up!!!

I havent watched them play so I cant really comment, but at the same time when international pundits talk about the 70's they only ever mention Peles brazil, Cruyffs Holland and Kempes Argentina. They talk about Franz and Mullers goal scoring record, but they never eulogise over the German team of the 70s.

From an English point of view it is rather amusing that there arent any German teams in the list, if only Otto was here, it would have been even better.

Well, that they don't mention the team of Beckenbauer, Netzer and Müller is exactly proving my point, the strong bias. Some idiotic 'pundits' actually believe Beckenbauer to be a 'defender', just shows how clueless some of these people are.

But this is a rather new phenomenon. Back in those days, the foreign press, including the English press, was raving about the German team that played a completely new style of football (they called it "Fußball 2000"). Everyone agreed that it was the best European team since the Hungarian team of the 1950s. Just read the original Guardian article in the Mannschaft thread, for example.

The anti-German propaganda and bias came later, and unfortunately, it still prevails today.

blutgraetsche wrote:Well, that they don't mention the team of Beckenbauer, Netzer and Müller is exactly proving my point, the strong bias. Some idiotic 'pundits' actually believe Beckenbauer to be a 'defender', just shows how clueless some of these people are.

But this is a rather new phenomenon. Back in those days, the foreign press, including the English press, was raving about the German team that played a completely new style of football (they called it "Fußball 2000"). Everyone agreed that it was the best European team since the Hungarian team of the 1950s. Just read the original Guardian article in the Mannschaft thread, for example.

The anti-German propaganda and bias came later, and unfortunately, it still prevails today.

There's no smoke without fire.

There is no anti-German propaganda without some Dutchie involved rather.

blutgraetsche wrote:There is no anti-German propaganda without some Dutchie involved rather.

Did you know that Heinz Stuy grew up in Germany ?

No, I didn't know that. Going by his first name, I would have never guessed it either...

blutgraetsche wrote:No, I didn't know that. Going by his first name, I would have never guessed it either...

I never knew myself , he lived in Germany for 7 years , was born in Germany , never spoke a word of Dutch ..

Udo Lattek said he wasn't a good Goalie during the early 70's

blutgraetsche wrote:Well, that they don't mention the team of Beckenbauer, Netzer and Müller is exactly proving my point, the strong bias. Some idiotic 'pundits' actually believe Beckenbauer to be a 'defender', just shows how clueless some of these people are.

But this is a rather new phenomenon. Back in those days, the foreign press, including the English press, was raving about the German team that played a completely new style of football (they called it "Fußball 2000"). Everyone agreed that it was the best European team since the Hungarian team of the 1950s. Just read the original Guardian article in the Mannschaft thread, for example.

The anti-German propaganda and bias came later, and unfortunately, it still prevails today.

Blut I can see why you are annoyed, but there is only so far anti German propganda can get you. People watch football with their own eyes and if they were as good as you say they were, they would have a huge reputation outside Germany. Maradonna was a dirty little cheat yet in England he is still recognised as one of the greatest players of all time.

Beckenbauer, Netzer (ask the Dutchies), Müller, Breitner etc. do have a 'huge reputation' outside of Germany. Maybe not on the island, but everywhere else they have.