2. Italy 4-3 West Germany 1970
It’s been dubbed the game of the century but, truth be told, you’re on safer ground calling it the finest extra-time ever seen. An incredible five goals were scored over those 30 minutes as regulation play left Italy and West Germany at one goal apiece in the 1970 semi-final. The Germans were fortunate to even get to extra-time, needing defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger to volley his side level with the only goal of his 47 appearances for his country. “Schnellinger, of all people,” the German commentator said without a trace of irony. Those extra 30 minutes found legendary German player Franz Beckenbauer with his arm heavily strapped but his team took the lead for the only time in the match thanks to prolific striker Gerd Muller, nicknamed “Der Bomber.” Back came Italy, through Tarcisio Burgnich and Luigi Riva, to lead once again. Muller equalized with his 10th goal of the tournament, but Italy charged back down to the other end to score the winner through Gianni Rivera.
3. Belgium 4-3 USSR 1986
Mexico wasn’t even supposed to host the 1986 World Cup. But an earthquake in Colombia meant that Mexico stepped in at late notice and delivered a feast of football. Though best remembered for Argentina’s triumph, the tournament offered much to admire throughout, including this classic from the second round. The Soviet Union had undergone something of a reboot, thanks to coach Valeri Lobanovsky, who modeled the national team on the club side he had made one of Europe’s most successful, Dinamo Kiev — seven of its players, including star man Igor Belanov, played in the 1982 Soviet World Cup team. But not even Belanov’s hat-trick on the day was enough to overcome a spirited Belgium outfit, who kept drawing level to take the game to extra time at 2-2. A fine time to take the lead then, which they duly did through Stephane De Mol. The classy Nico Claesen volleyed his team further ahead and, despite Belanov both winning and converting a penalty kick, the Belgians held on. Belanov had the dubious distinction of becoming only the third player in World Cup history, after Ernest Wilimowski of Poland in 1938 and Josef Huegi of Switzerland in 1954, to score a hat-trick and finish up on the losing side. Belgium would reach the semi-finals before being knocked out by Diego Maradona’s all-conquering Argentina.
The Beautiful Games
- 1. Italy 3-2 Brazil 1982
- 2. Italy 4-3 West Germany 1970
- 3. Belgium 4-3 USSR 1986
- 4. Brazil 3-2 Holland 1994
- 5. West Germany 3-2 Hungary 1954
- 6. Portugal 5-3 North Korea 1966
- 7. West Germany 3-3 France 1982 (West Germany wins on penalties 5-4)
- 8. France 1-1 Brazil 1986 (France wins on penalties 4-3)
- 9. England 4-2 West Germany 1966
- 10. Brazil 4-1 Italy 1970
