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Pele at the Azteca? England in ’66? Ranking the best World Cup finals
BBC Sport journalist Alex Bysouth ranks his top 10 World Cup finals, weighing drama, star quality and lasting legacy rather than just the scoreline on the day, ahead of this summer's tournament, the 23rd men's World Cup. The countdown revisits some of football's most iconic moments, from redemption stories to controversial flashpoints, inviting readers to compile their own rankings too.
Among the entries covered are Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in 2002, driven by Ronaldo's comeback after injury and past trauma; Italy's dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in 2006, remembered for Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi in his final match; and West Germany's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in 1974, in which Johan Cruyff's Total Football side lost despite scoring inside the first minute.
In short
- BBC ranks the top 10 World Cup finals in football history
- List cites drama, stars and legacy, not just scorelines
- Includes 2002 Ronaldo redemption and 2006 Zidane headbutt final
Explained simply
The World Cup final is football's biggest match, held every four years between the two teams that have triumphed through months of qualification and tournament play. These matches shape careers, define nations and create memories that echo through sporting history. Yet what makes them memorable varies greatly from match to match.
Some finals live on because of individual brilliance or surprising upsets. Others are remembered for controversial moments, remarkable comeback performances or simply for outstanding football. A match can become legendary even if your favoured nation lost, because the drama or significance of the occasion itself transcends the final result.
Ranking the greatest World Cup finals is therefore complex. Observers disagree on what matters most—whether it is the quality of play, the personal stories at stake, the historical importance or the unexpected twists. This is why the same final might rank highly to one person yet lower to another, and why revisiting these occasions remains endlessly interesting to football fans.