The World Cup has produced the greatest goals in football history. From Maradona’s solo run in 1986 to Carlos Alberto’s team move in 1970, these strikes live forever in football folklore. Here are the goals every fan should know.
Diego Maradona’s “Goal of the Century” against England in the 1986 quarter-final saw him beat five opponents from his own half before slotting home. Pure individual brilliance, voted FIFA’s greatest goal ever scored at a World Cup.
Brazil’s fourth goal in the 1970 final, finished by captain Carlos Alberto after a flowing nine-pass team move, is widely considered the perfect team goal. The moment encapsulated Brazil’s joga bonito at its peak.
Saudi Arabia’s Saeed Al-Owairan ran 60 metres past four Belgian defenders to score one of the great solo goals of all time, sending Saudi Arabia into the Round of 16.
The Colombian midfielder chested down and volleyed a stunning long-range strike that won FIFA’s Puskas Award for Goal of the Year. Technical perfection.
The Dutch striker’s diving header from 18 yards out, set up by Daley Blind’s long pass, helped the Netherlands trounce the defending champions 5-1 in their opener. One of the most memorable headed goals ever scored at a World Cup.
The 17-year-old Pele chipped a Swedish defender, took the ball on his thigh, and volleyed it in during the final. Football’s greatest player announcing himself to the world.
Messi’s extra-time goal against France in arguably the greatest final ever played helped Argentina lift the trophy. The crowning moment of his career.
Stage matters as much as skill. A spectacular goal in a Champions League quarter-final lives in highlights packages; the same goal at a World Cup defines history. Read our history of the World Cup and shop national team kits to honour the legends.
So many great goals deserve a mention. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2018 hat-trick against Spain. Roberto Baggio’s solo run in 1994. Dennis Bergkamp’s touch-and-finish against Argentina in 1998. Davor Suker’s 1998 chip against Denmark. James Rodriguez’s 2014 volley. Each of these goals would top many other tournaments’ lists, World Cup standards are simply higher.
The combination of context (huge audience), pressure (single-elimination knockout football), and meaning (carrying a nation’s hopes) makes World Cup goals different from anything else. A 30-yard screamer in a league game is forgotten by Tuesday. The same goal in a World Cup semi-final lives forever.
With 104 matches and 48 teams, 2026 will produce more goals than any World Cup in history. Among them, several will join this all-time list. Watch for moments from Lamine Yamal, Endrick, Bellingham, Mbappe, and the next generation of stars ready to write their own chapters.
The World Cup has also produced legendary set-piece moments. Roberto Carlos’s impossible curl against France in 1997 is technically a friendly but lives in football folklore. Ronald Koeman, David Beckham, and Lionel Messi have all scored memorable World Cup free-kicks. The dead-ball specialist is one of football’s purest entertainments.
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