50 Greatest World Cup Goals

We are proud to present Carlos Alberto with the award for the greatest World Cup Goal Ever

This goal was Carlos Alberto's one goal in his only world cup - and is undoubtedly and unarguably the best goal in the World Cup ever.

Dennis Bergkamp remembers his wonder goal against Argentina as THE moment of his footballing career.

Top in three categories this fantastic goal, with the last touch in the game, put Holland through to the semi-finals. Bergkamp's immaculate control of Frank de Boer's 50 yard pass is a supreme piece of skill and he followed this up by beating Ayala and volleying with his right into the far corner. Argentina had only conceded four goals in their previous 10 games. (Bergkamp also set a Dutch goalscoring record with the goal scoring his 36th for Holland).

Peter Shilton felt that although Maradona ran from the half-way line he only really went past two players.

The best individual goal ever in the World Cup. Maradona's 50 yard dribble beat Peter Reid, Terry Fenwick, and Terry Butcher before he shot past Peter Shilton.

Jairzinho said he has been celebrating this crucial goal ever since he scored it in 1970.

A great build-up against a massed English defence. Tostao showed persistence, and crossed to Pele whose brilliant pass to Jairzinho took two defenders out of the game. England had only conceded three goals in their previous 10 games. Carlos Alberto remembers England as Brazil's most feared opposition of the 1970 World Cup.

A great individual run and dribble by the "Maradona of Arabia." Best goal of the 1994 World Cup.

The best goal of the 1982 World Cup and the best celebration of a goal ever. Here was a man who realised the importance of the goal he had just scored the moment he scored it.

Burrachaga remembers Diego's fantastic goal against Belgium.

A very good individual goal by Maradona, taking on a Belgian defence which had leaked 17 goals in their previous 10 games. The goal of a genius.

John Barnes admits that after this goal West Germany became his favourite team.

A rocket shot from the bearded Marxist Paul Breitner after a nice build-up.

"Marvellous, marvellous, marvellous Pele", remembers Paulo Amaral.

If you're good enough then you're old enough. Good Pele instant control on his thigh, then a lob over the keeper and volley which completed his hat-trick.

"It was a real cracker," says Rivelino of Gerson's World Cup final goal.

An excellent long distance shot after a quick step away. A very brave goal.

Archie Gemmill - pleased that his goal is higher in the ranking than any Englishman's.

The "baldy-heeded goblin" Gemmill beats Jansen's lunge, Krol and then nutmegs Poortvliet before delicately lobbing the keeper. Holland had only conceded two goals in their previous 10 games.

"On the pitch I'm a donkey compared to him," says Ardilles of Maradona.

Great interpassing on the edge of the box and a great finish followed by a celebration which gave the game away. Maradona was drug-tested and banned after this game.

Just to shoot from that distance makes this goal one of the best ever, says Bryan Robson.

A very good long distance shot from 40 yards flying in off the post. Scored well on difficulty and finish. Italy had only conceded six goals in their previous 10 games. In Italy Dino Zoff was slated.

Nice dribble from Baggio after taking a return pass from Giannini. Great balance and a beautiful goal.

"Thank God Pele was there!" says Rivelino

Great header - this is the best headed goal in the ranking. Pele defies gravity scoring from Rivelino's cross. Practically unsaveable.

A very nice goal - Pele to Tostao to Jairzinho who beat Matosas before hitting in a low shot. Probably the most important goal of Jairzinho's magnificent career.

Isidoro laid the ball back, Falcao stepped over and Eder flipped up and volleyed. The USSR had only conceded three goals in their previous 10 games.

Graeme Le Saux remembers Owen's turn of speed, making it impossible for him to offer any support.

Best English goal. Argentina had only conceded two goals in their previous 10 games. Owen outpaced Chamot and swerved past Ayala before shooting across the keeper. A goal which Michael Owen says he would put in his top three.

Brilliant set up after Henriksen's header clear from a corner followed by a brilliant volley into near top corner. A rarity - a volleyed goal with a great assist. Most volleys look special if they go in but this one certainly was.

Very good control then a one-two before a stunning mid-air scissor kick.

Garrincha hits a brilliant volley into the top corner.

David Platt remembers his career-changing volley.

Platty is picked out in the penalty area with pinpoint precision. He hits a great volley which leaves the Belgian keeper with no chance, saving England from certain early elimination on penalties.

Very long distance shot by Arie Haan - to beat an unsighted Maier.

Rummenige runs the whole length of the pitch to score.

Burrachaga remembers this goal as the highlight of his career - "To have these memories is the dream of every footballer."

A brilliant pass from Maradona to Burrrachaga. This goal won the World Cup final on 85 minutes. West Germany had only conceded six goals in their previous 10 games.

Deflected cross into the box is met by a brilliant angled bicycle kick. (AKA half-overhead). An extremely difficult skill.

Excellent volley by Ivor Allchurch teed up by John Charles against an average Mexican defence. (13 conceded in last 10 games)

Socrates describes this as beautiful, beautiful.

Great shot by Narey into top corner. Brazil had only conceded five goals in their previous 10 games. This goal was a big mistake by Scotland as it made Brazil angry and they went on to win 4-1.

Peter Beardsley describes this goal as better than any he ever scored, which is saying something.

Everyone agrees this swerved shot from edge of box was intended.

Good build up and great finish. Scored in last minute as Germany ran out 6-0 winners in a ruthlessly efficient performance.

Good build up followed by a perfect through pass by Kopa to the brilliant Fontaine who rounds the keeper to score.

Bergkamp describes this goal as typical Cruijff.

Very nice build up and Cruijff did very well to go round keeper. Many modern players might have been tempted to dive looking for a penalty.

An overhead kick after a good move This equalising goal in extra time took the tie to penalties which Germany won. Not the most popular goal as it came in the same game as Schumacher's disgraceful challenge on Patrick Batiston. But this ranking is objective and unmoved by such considerations.

Scolari remembers posting the British tabloids to the changing room walls to motivate his players.

Great Ronaldinho run and dink, leaving Ashley Cole for dead, followed by unstoppable finish by Rivaldo.

Socrates describes this as a sexy gorgeous goal.

Delicate chip after build up from own penalty area. So good Scotland keeper Alan Rough couldn't tell you what happened.

Bobby Charlton remembers the Mexican players going everywhere apart from towards him.

A powerful shot into the top corner after a swerving run from midfield which saw the Mexicans backing off. Hoddle would put this in his top three. A goal Peter Beardsley and Nobby Stiles rate as one of the best ever.

Very good shot from outside box into top corner (helped by thin air). Officially supersonic as the keeper does all he can - which is nothing.

Robson rates this goal as mesmeric. Socrates points out that in Brazil a toe-poke isn't usually considered a good thing but this is an exception.

Ronaldo was surrounded by defenders but restores his reputation with this great piece of improvisation. Turkey had only conceded six goals in their previous 10 games.

Hamrin goes for a stroll on the touch-line and then on a dribble to the touchline - knocking it in at the near post. Gets in the ranking despite scoring at the near post due to outrageous imagination and uniqueness represented in its high level of difficulty.

The goal which took Bulgaria through to the semi-final and knocked the Germans out. Yankov cross to Lechkov who scored with a great diving header.

Paulo Amaral, Brazil's trainer, recalls the brilliance of Garricha.

Garrincha set up by Amarildo - his long distance shot is unsaveable. England had conceded eight goals in their previous 10 games.

A good cross and great near post header to far post. A piece of neck-cricking genius. Italy had only conceded six goals in their previous 10 games.

Lovely goal - excellent technique and great running from midfield.

Luque set this great volley up for himself.

Henri Camara's golden goal followed a nice backheel assist from Diao, putting Seegal through to the quarter-final

Good strong run and powerful finish against a weak Greek defence which had conceded 20 in their last 10 games. Last minute goal confirming a 2-0 victory. Followed by a typical African celebration, which the referee appeared to join in.

Tichy's shot went straight through the keeper.

Very good free kick into top corner - with the outside of his right foot. The debut on the banana kick.

After Hurst's goal Nobby Stiles was so happy he was basically skipping.

As the Germans pushed forward Geoff Hurst latched on to a long ball from Moore and smashed the ball in to the top corner, completing his hat-trick. Germany had only conceded four goals in their previous 10 games.

Did he mean it? Of course he did!(?) Brilliant goal. Colombia had only conceded four goals in their previous 10 games.