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In our newest feature we will be reliving some of the greatest Football games ever. We’ll get the ball rolling with a selection of some of the best International games ever played, we even added in a extra game as we were feeling generous. Enjoy!
France v Portugal ( 2 – 1 ) Euro 2000 Semi Final
A game filled with star power, the game was billed as a battle between Europes 2 best players at the time Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane. Figo was excellent throughout but excellent was nowhere near the level of Zizou who turned in one of the most majestic displays you will ever see to cement his place as a Footballing genius of the highest order. A highly entertaining affair finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, fittingly Zidane would win the game for the French with a extra time golden penalty.
England v Argentina ( 2 – 1 ) 1986 World Cup Quarter Final
This game had plenty of spice from the get go as it took place only four years after the Falklands War. The game would be won by the Worlds Greatest Player at the time, Diego Maradona. Quite simply 2 of footballs most famous/infamous goals ever scored were scored in 1 day, by 1 man, against 1 team.
The first goal being the legendary ”Hand of God” effort and the second being one of the greatest solo goals ever scored. That bloke that presents MOTD in his underpants pulled one back for England but the Argentinians held out for a 2-1 victory in a game that is still hotly debated to this day.
England v Hungary ( 3 – 6 ) 1953 International Friendly
A crowd of 120,000 packed into Wembley to see this much anticipated encounter between England, who had never lost a game at Wembley and the Olympic Champions Hungary who had not been beaten in 3 years.
England entered the game with a side containing greats like Sir Stanley Matthews and Billy Wright, with an air of complacency as the founders of Football. They would be blown away however by a team nicknamed the ”Mighty Magyars”, with the Hungarians racing into a 4-1 lead after 28 minutes. The Hungarians were inspired by the legendary Puskas, running out 6-3 winners at full time. By all accounts it could have been double figures such was their dominance. The game is seen as a watershed moment for English Football.
France v Brazil ( 3 – 3 ) Le Tournoi 1997
This game took place in a Pre France 1998 World Cup Friendly Tournament called Le Tournoi. A mickey mouse tournament, yes, a mickey mouse game, no. Italy were keen for revenge for their USA 1994 World Cup final defeat at the hands of the Brazilians and flew out the blocks, it quickly became apparent there was little love lost between these teams and Italy scorched into a 3-1 lead thanks to their attack of Del Piero, Vieri and Inzaghi. This was a Brazil side laced with quality however and they fought back to draw the match 3-3 with goals from Legendary duo Ronaldo and Romario.
Holland v Spain ( 5 – 1 ) World Cup Group Stage 2014
Spain entered the game as the dominate force in world football over the previous 6 years having won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2014. The game began in typical fashion with the Spaniards hogging possession and when Xavi Alonso smashed home a penalty to give the Spaniards a 1-0 lead it looked like it would be a long night for the Dutch.
What ensued was a tactical masterclass by Louis Van Gaal. Van Persie equalised with a iconic diving header and the Spaniards capitulated with the pace of Arjen Robben ripping them to shreds as they pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the game. Spain’s dominance of the World Game came to a unceremonious end as the Dutch ran out convincing 5-1 winners.
Italy v West Germany ( 4 – 3 ) World Cup Semi Final 1970
A World Cup Semi Final between 2 of World Football’s elite with a chance to meet Pele’s great Brazilian side in the final at stake. Italy went into a early lead and looked to be headed for a tight 1-0 victory after withstanding wave after wave of German attack, before Germany equalised in the last throes of injury time to take the game into extra time.
The Italians would again twice take the lead with ”The Bomber” Gerd Muller cancelling out their lead both times. After Muller’s 2nd equaliser to make it 3-3 the Italians went straight up the pitch to score a dramatic winner through Rivera. This game is still referred to as ”The Game of the Century” and quite rightly so.
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