Apr 20, 2021
Top 4 Greatest Performances in World Cup History
Over the entire World Cup History, a variety of players have made history, themselves. To retire with a World Cup is the dream of many players around the world and much at the influence of player such as these. In honor of the FIFA World Cup ready to begin, here is a list of my top four of the very greatest performances ever seen in the history of the tournament.
4. Gerd M�ller 1970, West Germany
It was 1970 when a rather young German by the name of Gerd Muller showed the World Cup and awe inspiring performance as he lead Germany to third-place.
He was able to score in two hat tricks consecutively in the Group Stage against Peru and Bulgaria and placed West Germany in the quarterfinals.
There, Muller scored the winning goal against England. This set up the semifinal match with Italy where he scored twice in extra time. Although Italy made a great comeback and pulled out a 4-3 win in what was referred to as the “Game of the Century”, West Germany went on to win third place and this was largely credited to Muller.
3. S�ndor Kocsis 1954, Hungary
The World Cup in 1954 began with an injury to Hungary’s forward Ferenc Puskas. This gave fellow forward Kocsis his legendary opportunity to amaze which he did with three and four goals achieved against both West Germany and South Korea.
He scored twice more in the quarterfinals against Brazil and two additional times in extra time playing Uruguay. This put Hungary in the finals. With a record total of 13 goals in the 1954 World Cup, Kocsis established a record that has yet to be beaten.
2. Pele 1958, Brazil
In the first internationally televised World Cup, Brazil was able to strut their stuff in front of the entire world as they won the World Cup, their most prominent player being that of 17 year old named Pele who slowly became noticeable throughout the Group Stage.
Pele scored the winning goal in the quarterfinal against Wales, which got Brazil into the semifinals. There, his hat trick against France got them into the World Cup playing Sweden where he continued to score two more times and Brazil won their very first World Cup.
1. Diego Maradona 1986, Argentina
Maradona began Argentina’s legendary World Cup with the tying goal in a Group A match with Italy who were the defending World Champions.
After the tie in the group stage, Maradona helped Argentina proceed onto the World Cup quarterfinal which would be against England. There, he became known for the two most famous goals of all time.
“The Hand of God” was the first goal which comprised of Maradona punching the ball over keeper Peter Shilton. The second of which was considered the “Goal of the Century” where he charged through the entire English defense from midfield to all the way to the goal. Maradona scored both of Argentina’s goals in a 2-1 win in the semifinal. Although he did not score in the final, he did pass the winning play and ended this World Cup with five goals and five assists.
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