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Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 19:33 IST
FIFA Fever is officially here! A look back at some of the World Cup moments that became football folklore.
From Lucien Laurent’s historic first World Cup goal in 1930 to Lionel Messi finally lifting the trophy in 2022, football’s biggest stage has produced countless iconic moments. The tournament has showcased Pele’s teenage triumph, Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’, Johan Cruyff’s brilliance, Geoff Hurst’s unique hat-trick in a World Cup final, Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Brazil, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning heroics, all shaping the rich legacy of the World Cup across generations.
Here are 14 World Cup moments that football fans can't forget. (News18 Creative)
1930 - Lucien Laurent scores the first goal in World Cup history. (News18 Creative)
1950 - Uruguay stun hosts Brazil to silence Maracana. (News18 Creative)
1958 - 17-year-old Pele becomes the youngest player to win the World Cup. (News18 Creative)
1966 - Geoff Hurst scores the only hat-trick in the World Cup final as England win. (News18 Creative)
1974 - Johan Cruyff introduced football's most famous move. (News18 Creative)
1978 - Referee Clive Thomas blows for full time with the ball still in flight. (News18 Creative)
1986 - Diego Maradona punches the ball into the goal. (News18 Creative)
1990 - Pavarotti's rendition of Nessun Dorma redefines football and music. (News18 Creative)
1994 - Oleg Salenko scores five goals - the most in a World Cup match. (News18 Creative)
1998 - Dennis Bergkamp scores one of the World Cup's greatest goals. (News18 Creative)
2006 - Zinedine Zidane's career ends in controversy. (News18 Creative)
2014 - Germany humiliate hosts Brazil 7-1 as Miroslav Klose sets World Cup record.
2018 - Cristiano Ronaldo scores a stunning hat-trick. (News18 Creative)
2022 - Lionel Messi finally lifts the World Cup. (News18 Creative)
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