Ranking the seven greatest World Cup finals of all time  

The FIFA World Cup final is football stripped to its highest stakes. Four years of waiting, a month of tension and, finally, 90 minutes, sometimes considerably more, between immortality and heartbreak.

Not every final has delivered a classic. But when the occasion matches the football, the result becomes something more than a game, a story retold across generations. From the Miracle of Bern to Messi and Mbappé’s duel in Lusail, here are the seven greatest World Cup finals.

7. France 4-2 Croatia – 2018

Six goals, an own goal, a controversial penalty and a teenage Kylian Mbappé announcing himself on football’s grandest stage.

Croatia had enjoyed a remarkable journey to their first final and Ivan Perisic briefly restored parity after Mario Mandzukic’s own goal. But France’s quality eventually overwhelmed them. Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Mbappé struck as Didier Deschamps became only the third man to win the World Cup as both player and coach.

It lacked a nail-biting finish, but certainly not entertainment.

6. Brazil 4-1 Italy – 1970

Not every great final requires suspense. Sometimes greatness is simply perfection.

Brazil’s 1970 side produced arguably football’s finest exhibition in Mexico City. Pelé opened the scoring before Gérson and Jairzinho helped dismantle Italy, but Carlos Alberto’s fourth remains the defining image, a sweeping team move finished emphatically by the captain.

Brazil became the first three-time world champions, permanently earning the Jules Rimet Trophy.

5. Italy 1-1 France – 2006

One of football’s greatest careers ended with one of its most extraordinary images.

Zinedine Zidane audaciously chipped a Panenka penalty beyond Gianluigi Buffon before Marco Materazzi equalised. Then, deep into extra time, came the headbutt. Zidane walked past the World Cup trophy after being sent off in his final professional appearance.

Italy subsequently won 5-3 on penalties, Fabio Grosso converting the decisive kick. Drama rarely comes packaged more brutally.

4. West Germany 3-2 Hungary – 1954

Hungary appeared unbeatable. The Magical Magyars had gone more than four years without defeat and had thrashed West Germany 8-3 earlier in the tournament.

Eight minutes into the final, they were 2-0 ahead.

Then came the impossible.

West Germany equalised within 10 minutes before Helmut Rahn struck in the 84th minute. Hungary’s empire collapsed in the Bern rain and Germany had their first World Cup.

It remains football’s original great final upset, the “Miracle of Bern”.

3. England 4-2 West Germany – 1966

“Did it cross the line?” More than half a century later, football still asks.

Wolfgang Weber’s last-minute equaliser forced extra time at Wembley before Geoff Hurst’s shot crashed against the crossbar and bounced down. The goal was awarded.

Hurst then completed his hat-trick, the first in a World Cup final, as England secured the only world title in their history. Controversy, extra time, six goals and a home champion, 1966 had everything.

2. Argentina 3-2 West Germany – 1986

Argentina seemed comfortable when José Luis Brown and Jorge Valdano established a 2-0 lead. West Germany, naturally, refused to disappear.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler dragged them level, transforming Mexico City into a cauldron of nerves.

Then Diego Maradona found the pass.

Jorge Burruchaga raced through and scored with seven minutes remaining, sealing Argentina’s second world title and completing Maradona’s extraordinary tournament.

1. Argentina 3-3 France – 2022

There may never be another final like it.

Argentina led 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in 97 seconds. Lionel Messi restored Argentina’s advantage in extra time. Mbappé equalised again, completing only the second hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final.

Then, with penalties almost inevitable, Emiliano Martínez somehow denied Randal Kolo Muani.

Argentina eventually won the shootout 4-2. Messi finally held the trophy that had eluded him; Mbappé scored three times and still lost. It was sport at its cruellest and most exhilarating, 120 minutes in which the ending seemed to change every few moments.

Put your football knowledge to the test with iLOTBET and make every big-game moment count.