Article: The Most Incredible Moments of Football
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By Jonathan Lewis | 4th SEP 2021
Ball games aren’t new. There are countless references from Ancient History, from Chinese to native American games. Few sports can brag about having such a large audience. In this article, we’ll remember some of the sport’s most extraordinary moments in history.
History Corner
Football started to take shape towards the end of the 19th century. It was popularized in the Americas at the beginning of the 20th century.
It’s one of the most common sports for betting. It has made it to the digital world with online sportsbooks across the globe and there are several esports inspired by the sport. From the Premier League to Euros and Eredivisie betting odds, bookmakers and fans are always eagerly awaiting the next event and when we’ll capture marvellous moments again.
Check below the Top 5 moments in international competitions that have got fans daydreaming until today.
#5 – North Korea beats Italy in a World Cup
The improbable victory occurred in 1966’s World Cup. Italy was already a well-established power within the four lines, and North Korea was, well… not a football superpower. The match happened in England, where the Asian team arrived with little expectations. The final score was 1-0 for the already hermit kingdom. The game wasn’t easy, but North Koreans excelled on that magical day.
#4 – Lilian Thuram Saving France
In the 98’s World Cup, in France, Lilian Thuram scored only two goals. Still, the moment those balls shook the net couldn’t have been better. France was playing the semi-final against Croatia and lost 1-0. Thuram saved the day and the entire competition with two goals, beating Croatia by 2-1. Thuram’s cold reaction to the second goal while the rest of the team was going crazy was legendary.
#3 – The Day Diana Ross Shoot a Penalty
In 1994, the World Cup was held in the United States. Despite not being a traditional country for the sport, the event was a success. Indeed, it’s still the World Cup with the highest attendance. Diana Ross sang at the opening of the competition and even got to shoot a penalty. The fantastic singer didn’t bring her talent to the field and missed the goal miserably.
#2 – The Day Zidane’s Got Over His Head
It’s been 15 years since the episode, but the scene is still fresh in our minds. The match was between France and Italy, during World Cup 2006, in Germany. The score was even after 90 minutes, so it went to extra time. The tension was skyrocketing when Zidane headbutted Materazzi, apparently out of the blue. The aggression rendered him a red card and buried the team.
#1 – The Day Maradona Played Volley
During the World Cup 1986, Maradona gave his team “a hand” in the Quarter Finals against England. The score was 1-1, and Maradona was playing brilliantly. After dribbling five English players, he was face to face with the English goalkeeper. The goalkeeper snapped the ball away when Maradona used his pinky to change the ball’s trajectory. The goal became history as the “Hand of God”.
Conclusion
All the sport’s memorable moments couldn’t possibly fit into this article. Still, the ones mentioned here account for the game’s greatness and, sometimes, absurdity. We never know when moments like those will happen again, and it makes football even more special.
Jonathan Lewis is an MFF sports writer
