When the soccer community talks about the FIFA World Cup, the conversation not only revolves around the best teams or players that left their mark on the prestigious competition. Many will also recall those goals they cannot forget, which are not that many.  It may sound hard to select the greatest goals in such a competition, which has had many editions and countless screamers. However, these are, without any doubt, the best goals ever scored at a FIFA World Cup.

There have been some extraordinary goals throughout the history of the World Cup, with many of the iconic efforts in football coming from the glorious competition.  National teams will now be looking ahead to the 2026 edition of the tournament, which has the potential to be one of the greatest of all time.  With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out our top 10 greatest World Cup goals, and there are some absolute crackers on the list.

Dubbed the “Goal of the Century,” the name itself explains why this goal is on the list. Diego Maradona received the ball in Argentina’s own half, left two English opponents on the way, before eluding three more rivals—including goalkeeper Peter Shilton—to score one of the most emblematic goals not only in World Cup history, but in soccer.  As a bonus track, one should mention Diego’s “Hand of God” goal, recorded only a few minutes earlier. Though Maradona appeared to score a header, the referees didn’t notice he actually used his hand to send the ball over Shilton. While many are still offended that he cheated, the “Hand of God” goal went down as an iconic moment in sports history.

Denis Cheryshev scored a then potentially historic goal for Russia at the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals. Only 31 minutes into the game, Cheryshev scored a long-range, left-footed effort that went over Danijel Subasic.

Russia took the lead in the FIFA World Cup 2018 quarterfinal match against Croatia with a stunning goal that came out of nowhere from Denis Cheryshev on Saturday. In the hope of a semifinal spot for the first time, the hosts were off to a positive start as Cheryshev scored the fourth goal of this World Cup tournament.

Though no one in Italy wants to remember that World Cup match, Fabio Quagliarella scored a terrific goal for his side in a group stage loss to Slovakia, sending a chip over the goalkeeper from outside the penalty area. It wasn’t very useful, since it came at stoppage time when his team was losing 3-1, but Quagliarella can tell his kids he scored an amazing World Cup goal.

A 22-yard right-footed shot from Fabio Quagliarella has Italy within one in the 92nd minute, now trailing Slovakia 3-2.  Play along the top of the penalty area found the attacker even with Jan Mucha’s left post. The right-footed shot went into the upper left-hand corner, an unstoppable shot to make it 3-2 in second-half stoppage time.  With one more goal, Italy goes through in second place in Group F. As results stand, Italy would finish fourth in Group F, with Slovakia going through as the second-place team.

World Cup 2022: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia: Salem Al-Dawsari scores winner as Lionel Messi penalty is cancelled out by famous second-half comeback Match report as goals from Saleh Al-Shehri (48) and Salem Al-Dawsari (53) complete famous World Cup turnaround win for Saudi Arabia against Argentina; Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot (10) but one of the pre-tournament favourites are beaten at Lusail Iconic Stadium

Salem Al-Dawsari will never forget the day he scored for Saudi Arabia against Argentina. Only five minutes after his team equalized, the No. 10 managed to keep the ball after a poor control in the box, eluding Rodrigo de Paul to score a perfectly-placed shot that Emiliano Martinez couldn’t get to save.

Argentina’s presence on the list of best World Cup goals didn’t end with Diego. Many years later, when the team was struggling against Mexico at the 2006 quarterfinals, Maximiliano Rodriguez fired a fantastic volley that sent the bench wild.

The 'all the angles' video of this goal brings a smile to your face.  Colombia was up against South American rivals Uruguay. James Rodriguez stunned the crowd with a sensational strike, taking the ball on his chest just outside the D, before pirouetting and smashing an unstoppable volley into the top corner.  Lineker: It was spectacular.  Shearer: The touch, the technique to flick it up and then volley it.

The Dortmund star admits he couldn't have imagined the impact he'd have in 2014 as his extra-time winner crowned Germany world champions  No matter what Mario Gotze does between now and the end of his footballing career, he will almost certainly be best remembered for scoring the winning goal for Germany against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.   Latching onto Andre Schurrle’s dinked cross inside the penalty area, Gotze remained composed as he chested the ball into his stride and lashed a left-footed shot past Sergio Romero in the 113th minute of the gruelling encounter at the Maracana.  It was a crucial, incredibly significant goal; one that Gotze will remember for the rest of his life.

In one of the hardest-fought World Cup finals in recent history, Mario Gotze scored the winner for Germany in extra time at the 2014 final against Argentina. With the result still scoreless after 112 minutes, Andre Schurrle advanced with the ball on the left flank until he found Gotze in a privileged position inside the penalty area. Gotze controlled the pass with his chest and hit with his left foot as the ball went down to break Argentina’s hearts.

 

Pelé started to cement his legacy at Sweden 1958, playing a pivotal role in Brazil’s first trophy. At only 17, Pelé scored a wonderful goal to put his team 3-1 up in the final against the host nation. After controlling a cross with his chest against a much bigger Swedish defender, Pelé chipped the ball over the next player that came his way and, though he received an ugly challenge, stayed on his feet to bag a great volley.

In the 1958 FIFA World Cup final against Sweden, Pelé scored two goals, including one in the 55th minute, which was his first goal in a World Cup final. This goal helped Brazil win its first World Cup title. Pelé also scored a second goal, a header, in stoppage time, sealing the 5-2 victory for Brazil.

A man who likes to score in finals, Di Maria got to add another crucial goal to his résumé at Qatar 2022. Argentina were already leading France 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Messi, but Di Maria made it two only 13 minutes later by capping off a fantastic counterattack. Alexis Mac Allister, Messi, and Julian Alvarez understood each other perfectly within a few seconds to set up a brilliant play that ended with Di Maria sending the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Ronaldo Nazario delivered one of the greatest World Cup performances at South Korea-Japan 2002, and he ended it perfectly. The prolific goalscorer hit twice in the final to give Brazil the title, and it was his second goal against Germany that remains fresh in the memory. Rivaldo fooled the opposition by letting the ball pass between his legs, allowing Ronaldo to send home a strong shot.