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Since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has been host to dizzying highs and soul-crushing lows. After years of preparation, the best players from around the world come together where a lucky few end up walking away with the greatest footballing glory of them all.
Inevitably, tensions run high. Emotional stability takes a battering. And everything is on the line.
This volatile concoction means the World Cup has produced legendary moments of brilliances along with mind-boggling displays of lunacy. We look back on 12 iconic World Cup moments over the years.
Uruguay wins the first ever FIFA World Cup in 1930
Before FIFA were allowed to organise the biggest football tournament, the Olympics was seen as the biggest footballing prize. But this was the moment that started it all.
Uruguay played against Argentina in the final. Taking place in the Centenario Stadium in Uruguay, there were 93,000 lucky people who witnessed the inaugural World Cup final.
FIFA President Jules Rimet presents the first ever World Cup trophy to Dr Paul Jude, President of the Uruguayan Football Association
Rivaldo’s corner theatrics at the 2002 World Cup
Uruguay showed the world what glory feels like. Since then, teams and players have often bent the rules to gain an advantage.
This was Rivaldo’s controversial moment when he feigned injury after a ball was kicked towards him while he was waiting to take a corner.
Commotion breaks out as players rush to the corner after Rivaldo (L) falls to the ground
Senegal’s incredible run at the 2002 World Cup
While Rivaldo was rolling on the ground, Senegal shocked the world with an inspiring run that saw them beat reigning-champions France. They also clutched knockout victories in extra time twice.
This got the attention of Premier League clubs who signed many of the Senegal team once the games were over.
Senegal dance in celebration after their 2-1 victory over Sweden in their second-round knockout match
Italy became the first to win back-to-back World Cup titles
Brazil and Germany are often expected to do well at the World Cup but we should never forget Italy who are the third-most successful World Cup team with four titles.
Two of those came in 1934 and 1938 when they became the first team to achieve back-to-back World Cup Champions. Brazil are the only other team to have accomplished this feat in 1958 and 1962.
Luis Suarez bites Georgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup
Was it the pressure? Did tensions run high? Maybe Chiellini said something during the game?
Whatever it was, Suarez felt a little nibble was needed to let off some steam. This was the third time Suarez had bitten someone during a game.
Zinedine Zidane’s surprise headbutt against Marco Materazzi at the 2006 World Cup
The grand finals of a World Cup is an incredibly high-stakes arena. Even the normally composed Zidane isn’t immune from the pressure, especially when Materazzi was hot on his heels.
The pair had been tussling all game as Materazzi was marking Zidane. But when some words were exchanged, Zidane jogged ahead of the Italian defender only to turn around and headbutt Materazzi in the chest with quite some force. France eventually lost that game.
Zinedine Zidane walks past the World Cup trophy after seeing red
The flying dutchman scores a wondergoal at the 2014 World Cup
While Zidane was losing his head, Robin van Persie used his with such deft while launching himself mid-air to meet a pearler of a cross from Daley Blind.
The majestic flying header levelled the game against reigning-champions Spain and the Netherlands eventually won the game 5-1. It was easily ‘goal of the tournament’ contender.
Robin van Persie shows off his acrobatics with a stunning flying header to equalise against reigning-champions Spain
Nigel De Jong’s horribly high tackle on Xabi Alonso at the 2010 World Cup
From one beautifully timed flying technique to an awfully mistimed one, De Jong made one of the worst tackles in World Cup history.
It was a tense finals game between two footballing giants, Spain and Netherlands. With the game sitting at 0-0, Nigel De Jong challenged for a high ball only to plant his studs plum onto the sternum of Xabi Alonso. Amazingly, he didn’t get sent off which meant he had to experience their eventual loss.
A mistimed, high tackle by Nigel de Jong (R) goes unpunished
Ronaldinho’s surprising free kick against England at the 2002 World Cup
Yet again, the game was in the balance at 1-1. England were playing Brazil, the most successful World Cup nation of all time. Things were looking alright until Ronaldinho stepped up to take a free kick.
To this day, nobody is sure whether it was an intentional shot at goal or a poorly aimed cross into the box. Perhaps that’s the magic of it. If nobody knows, then how can the keeper! David Seaman looked a little flummoxed as he watched the ball float over his head.
Gazza walks off in tears at the 1990 World Cup
The mercurial Paul Gascoigne was the fulcrum of an aspiring England team. He was the centre of almost every play. But things didn’t always go as he planned.
He was booked for a mistimed tackle on Thomas Berthold in their semi-final match against Germany. Unfortunately, he’d already been booked in the previous game which meant he’d miss the finals if England won.
As Gazza realised, he broke into tears. It was heart-breaking for the nation and Gazza. The enduring image remains one of the most iconic moments of World Cup history.
England centre-back Terry Butcher comforts Paul Gascoigne
World Cup attendance record still stands with 200,000 at the Maracana Stadium in 1950
The World Cup format used to be quite different. In 1950, the final round was a round robin between four teams. The champions would be whoever finished first.
The last game was between the giants, Brazil and Uruguay, in what became the de facto final. The game was so anticipated that 200,000 fans filled the Maracana Stadium – many of whom without official tickets. The record still stands today and is unlikely to be broken any time soon as stadiums aren’t as big anymore.
Football matches don't have this many spectators anymore. Can you imagine the atmosphere?
The hand of God
England does always seem to be on the end of bad luck in big football tournaments. Whether it’s losing in tense penalty shoot-outs, bad behaviour from former teammates or goals that should have been. Perhaps this is when it all started.
It was the quarter finals between Argentina and England in 1986. Diego Maradona was a fearsome player to defend against. But with the game at 0-0, everything was to play for.
That was until Maradona reached for a loose ball and punched it over Peter Shilton’s head and into the goal. Argentina went on to win the game 2-1.
The infamous hand of God moment during the World Cup quarter-finals in 1986