Top 20 Greatest World Cup Goals of All Time

      One touch, one moment, one goal can live forever. These are the 20 greatest World Cup goals ever scored — ranked by pure brilliance, drama, and historical impact as of November 2025. From Maradona’s solo masterpiece to Messi’s extra-time winner, these strikes didn’t just win matches — they defined generations.

#20 – Robin van Persie vs Spain (2014)

The flying Dutchman. Van Persie’s diving header from Daley Blind’s 50-yard pass — the perfect revenge for 2010.

#19 – Esteban Cambiasso vs Serbia & Montenegro (2006)

24-pass team goal finished with a first-time rocket. Argentina’s tiki-taka before tiki-taka existed.

#18 – Maxi Rodríguez vs Mexico (2006)

Chest control from 35 yards, left-foot volley into the top corner. One of the cleanest strikes in World Cup history.

#17 – Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina (1998)

Three-touch masterpiece: long ball, touch, flick over Ayala, finish past Roa. Still the most beautiful goal ever scored.

#16 – James Rodríguez vs Uruguay (2014)

Chest control on the volley from 25 yards — pure perfection. Colombia’s golden generation announced itself.

#15 – Giovanni van Bronckhorst vs Uruguay (2010)

40-yard thunderbolt into the top corner from the left-back position. The loudest roar in Soccer City.

#14 – Saeed Al-Owairan vs Belgium (1994)

Solo run from inside his own half, past five defenders, finish past Preud’homme. The “Maradona of the Arabs.”

#13 – Roberto Carlos vs China (2002)

The free-kick that bent the laws of physics. Still impossible to explain.

#12 – Zlatan Ibrahimović vs England (2012 friendly, but World Cup-level brilliance)

Overhead kick from 35 yards. Not a World Cup game, but too iconic to leave out.

#11 – Ángel Di María vs France (2022 Final)

The goal that looked like it won Argentina the World Cup — until Mbappé’s madness.

#10 – Carlos Alberto vs Italy (1970 Final)

The greatest team goal ever. 9 passes, Pelé dummy, Alberto smashes it top corner. Brazil 4-1 Italy.

#9 – Michael Owen vs Argentina (1998)

18 years old, solo run past 5 defenders, finish past Roa. England’s wonderkid announces himself.

#8 – Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil (2006 Quarter-final)

Floating free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. The last great Zidane moment before the headbutt.

#7 – Diego Maradona vs Belgium (1986)

Slalom past five defenders, finish past Pfaff. The “other” Maradona solo goal from Mexico ’86.

#6 – Arjen Robben vs Spain (2014)

Robben’s revenge. Collects the ball on halfway, burns Ramos and Casillas, slots home. Spain’s empire falls.

#5 – Lionel Messi vs Mexico (2022)

The goal that saved Argentina. 25-yard curler into the top corner — the moment the World Cup turned.

#4 – Andrés Iniesta vs Netherlands (2010 Final)

116th minute, 0-0. Low drive past Stekelenburg. Spain’s first World Cup. The goal that changed football history.

#3 – Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil (2006 Quarter-final)

The volley from Roberto Carlos’s cross. Pure art. The last dance of a genius.

#2 – Pelé vs Sweden (1958 Final)

17 years old. Chest control, lob over defender, volley past Svensson. The birth of a legend.

#1 – Diego Maradona vs England (1986)

The Goal of the Century. From inside his own half, past five English players, round Shilton. Argentina 2-1 England. The most iconic solo goal in football history.

Conclusion

These 20 goals aren’t just the best — they’re football’s greatest works of art. Which one gives you goosebumps every time? Drop your #1 in the comments — I reply to every one!

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