With the FIFA World Cup fast approaching and the excitement building the Team at Vintage Football Shop have been reminiscing over the most iconic world cup moments of our lifetimes. Here are some of our favourites:

In 1966, England took on West Germany on home soil at Wembley Stadium in London. The final was a tense affair, with England winning 4-2 after extra time. The match was a close one, with both sides having their share of chances. However, it was England who took the lead in the first half, with Geoff Hurst scoring a controversial goal. The ball appeared to bounce off the crossbar, but the referee awarded the goal. West Germany equalised in the second half, but England regained the lead soon after. Hurst then scored his second of the match, with the ball again appearing to bounce off the crossbar. This time, there was no doubt about the goal, and England were 3-1 up. West Germany pulled another goal back, but England held on to win the match 3-2 and lift the World Cup for the first time ever. It was a momentous occasion, and one that will live long in the memory of English football fans.

In 1970, Brazil won the World Cup for the third time. This was a hugely significant moment, as Brazil cemented their status as the best team in the world. The final was a thrilling 3-2 win over Italy. It was an epic match. The game was played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, in front of a crowd of over 110,000 people. It was a hot day, and the altitude made it even more difficult for the players. Brazil took the lead in the first half, with a goal from Pelé. But Italy equalised in the second half, with a goal from Roberto Boninsegna. The game went to extra time, and then to a dramatic penalty shootout. Brazil won the shootout, and the World Cup, for the third time. A fitting end to a great tournament.

In 1982, Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal against England in the World Cup. This was a hugely controversial moment, as Maradona clearly used his hand to score the goal. However, it was a moment of genius from one of the greatest players of all time that he backed up by a second goal. A thing of beauty, Maradona picked up the ball in his own half and dribbled past several England players, before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a truly remarkable individual effort, and cemented Maradona’s place as one of the greatest players of all time.

In 1986, Argentina won the World Cup for the second time. This was a hugely emotional moment, as Argentina had been through a lot of turmoil in the previous years. The final was a tense 3-2 win over West Germany. The win also had a huge impact on the country’s economy as it boosted tourism and investment. It was a moment of great pride for the country, and one that will be remembered for many years to come.

In 1990, West Germany won the FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final. This was a significant victory for the West German team, as it was their first World Cup win since 1974. The 1990 World Cup was also the first time that West Germany had competed in the tournament as a unified country, after the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989. The victory was a boost to the morale of the German people, who were still recovering from the effects of the Second World War. It also cemented West Germany’s status as a leading football nation, and helped to establish the Bundesliga as one of the world’s top football leagues. The 1990 World Cup was a turning point for German football, and the success of the West German team was a key factor in the development of the modern game.

In 1994, Brazil won the World Cup for the fourth time. Held in the United States with record crowd numbers, Brazil was one of the favorites to win the tournament. The Brazilian team was stacked with talent, including the likes of Romario, Bebeto, and Dunga. They were a force to be reckoned with, and they did not disappoint. Brazil won all seven of their games in the tournament, including the final against Italy. It was a dominant performance, and one that cemented Brazils status as a footballing powerhouse. The win was a huge moment for the country, and it is one that is still celebrated to this day.

In 1998, France won the World Cup for the first time, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final. It was a momentous achievement for the French national team, and for the country as a whole. The victory was all the more sweeter given that it was France’s first ever World Cup win, and it came on home soil. The French team of 1998 was a truly world-class outfit, boasting some of the best players in the world in their ranks. Zinedine Zidane was the star of the team, and he was ably supported by the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Didier Deschamps. The team was coached by Aimé Jacquet, who had masterminded France’s successful campaign at the European Championship two years earlier. The 1998 World Cup was a truly memorable event, and France’s victory was the icing on the cake. It was a momentous achievement for the French national team, and one that will live long in the memory of all those who witnessed it.

In 2002, Brazil won the World Cup for the fifth time. This was an incredible achievement, as Brazil became the first team to win the World Cup five times. The Brazilian team was led by the legendary striker Ronaldo, who was in his prime at this time. Ronaldo scored eight goals in the tournament, including two in the final, to help Brazil to victory. He was ably supported by other stars such as Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, who both played key roles in the team’s success.

In 2006, Italy won the World Cup for the fourth time. This was a momentous achievement, as Italy became the second team to win the World Cup four times. They were up against a very strong French team. However, the Italians were able to prevail 5-4 on penalties, thanks to their defensive solidity lead by Buffon and their ability to take their chances when they arose. It was a deserved victory, and it was one that sent the Italian fans into raptures.

In 2010, Spain won the World Cup for the first time. This was a hugely significant moment, as Spain became the first team from Europe to win the World Cup in South America. The final was a thrilling 1-0 win over the Netherlands, a team that had beaten them in the group stage. This was an incredible achievement, and it was made even more impressive by the fact that they did it without their star player, Lionel Messi.

In 2014, Germany won the World Cup for the fourth time. Germany’s 2014 World Cup performance was nothing short of amazing. The team’s run to the title was dominant, as they won all seven of their games, including a 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the semi-finals. The final against Argentina was a tight affair, but Germany eventually came out on top, winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Mario Gotze. It was a deserved victory for a team that was the best in the tournament.