Finals
The finals
World Cup finals from Mexico 1970 onwards, one page each: the score, the venue, the passage of play that settled it, and what the record shows once the noise has gone.
- World Cup Finals · México 1986 · 15 June 2026Azteca 1986: the final Maradona dragged Argentina toArgentina 3-2 West Germany at the Azteca on 29 June 1986: how a two-goal lead nearly slipped, and how Maradona's one pass settled it for Burruchaga.
- World Cup Finals · Germany 2006 · 15 June 2026Berlin 2006: decided from twelve yardsItaly 1-1 France, Italy win on penalties, Berlin, 9 July 2006: Zidane's panenka, Materazzi's header, the headbutt, and the shootout that gave Italy a fourth star.
- World Cup Finals · Italia 1990 · 15 June 2026Italia 1990: the ugliest final, and the end of an eraWest Germany 1-0 Argentina at the Stadio Olimpico, 8 July 1990: Brehme's late penalty, the first red cards in a World Cup final, and the rematch that settled 1986.
- World Cup Finals · South Africa 2010 · 15 June 2026Johannesburg 2010: minute 116Spain 1-0 Netherlands at Soccer City, 11 July 2010: Iniesta's 116th-minute winner, De Jong's kung-fu foul, and tiki-taka's first world title.
- World Cup Finals · Qatar 2022 · 15 June 2026Lusail 2022: the greatest finalArgentina 3-3 France, Argentina win on penalties, Lusail, 18 December 2022: Messi's crowning, Mbappé's hat-trick, and a final many call the greatest ever played.
- World Cup Finals · Brazil 2014 · 15 June 2026Maracanã 2014: the substitute's volleyGermany 1-0 Argentina at the Maracanã, 13 July 2014: Götze's extra-time volley, the chances Argentina spurned, and the first European side to win a World Cup in the Americas.
- World Cup Finals · México 1970 · 15 June 2026México 1970: the final that perfected the gameBrazil 4-1 Italy at the Azteca on 21 June 1970: the goals, the tactics, and why Carlos Alberto's fourth is still called the greatest team goal ever scored.
- World Cup Finals · France 1998 · 15 June 2026Paris 1998: the night France turned blueFrance 3-0 Brazil at the Stade de France, 12 July 1998: Zidane's two headers, the mystery of Ronaldo, and a host nation crowned for the first time.
- World Cup Finals · Japan 2002 · 15 June 2026Yokohama 2002: Ronaldo's redemptionBrazil 2-0 Germany at Yokohama, 30 June 2002: Ronaldo's two goals, Kahn's one mistake, and the redemption that followed the nightmare of 1998.