Heartbreaker! Scotland's 1978 World Cup Effort Makes High 100 Moments Checklist

[ad_1] What involves thoughts once you consider the highest males's FIFA World Cup moments?

It might be Diego Maradona carving via England's protection for the Purpose of the Century. Or, a legend like Pele or Lionel Messi elevating the trophy up excessive into the sky. It might be one thing extra controversial, like Cristiano Ronaldo's wink after getting Wayne Rooney despatched off.

When the World Cup involves North America this summer season, we'll be in retailer for a lot of extra moments. It stays to be seen if they're going to make the pantheon of one of the best. Till then, we're counting down essentially the most iconic, most controversial, most defining moments in males's World Cup historical past.

2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Unfold throughout three nations, the event will culminate with the ultimate on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 event matches will air stay throughout FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with each match streaming stay and on-demand inside each the FOX One and the FOX Sports activities apps. A document 40 matches, greater than one-third of the event, will air in prime time throughout FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

[WHEN AND WHERE: Full Schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup]

Main as much as the 2026 World Cup, this is our countdown of the 100 greatest males's moments in historical past:

No. 100: Pure Management, Pure Class, Pure Messi In 2018, the strain on Lionel Messi was constructing. Argentina's star captain had gone scoreless via two video games, together with a 3-0 loss to Croatia. He wanted to do one thing in opposition to Nigeria. That is when the Messi magic appeared.

This contact from Messi saved Argentina 🤯 No. 100 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments Argentina went on to win the sport and advance. An unbelievable first contact from Lionel Messi that saved Argentina. And whereas La Albiceleste have been eradicated by eventual champions France within the spherical of 16, Messi's chic objective was maybe one of the best of the event.

No. 99: Crimson Card for … Celebrating?! Vincent Aboubakar made historical past for Cameroon when he scored a game-winning objective in opposition to Brazil in 2022, the primary time an African nation had defeated the five-time champions in a World Cup setting. The issue was that he was then despatched off for extreme celebration.

A Crimson Card to Bear in mind 🟥 No. 99 in Greatest FIFA World Cup Moments The Indomitable Lions have been nonetheless eradicated regardless of the win, with the Brazilians advancing to the knockout rounds. Nonetheless, it was punishment definitely worth the second of shirtless pleasure. It even appeared just like the referee felt a bit dangerous for having at hand out that pink card.

No. 98: Cuauhtémoc Blanco Leaps Into Historical past Attempting to shake off round two defenders? You need to take into consideration making an attempt this trademark transfer created by one of many biggest Mexican gamers to ever stay. It was so good, it is recognized all through the world because the "Cuauhtemiña."

This transfer was so WILD, they named it after him 🤯 No. 98 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments On the 1998 World Cup, Cuauhtémoc Blanco clamped the ball between his ft did his greatest impression of a kangaroo by hopping between two South Korean defenders. It could not have produced a objective, however the participant from el barrio bravo de Tepito produced a transfer that has instantly leaped into the hearts and minds of soccer followers since.

No. 97: Klinsmann's Roundhouse Flick Lengthy earlier than he coached the US males's nationwide workforce on the 2014 World Cup, Jürgen Klinsmann scored a ton of objectives for Germany, together with this stunner in opposition to South Korea.

This volley was BEAUTIFUL 🇩🇪 No. 97 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments Klinsmann, who 4 years earlier had helped his nation win the World Cup for the third time, would flip what appeared like a routine move reception along with his again to the objective into one of the crucial memorable objectives of USA ‘94 with one swivel of his hips.

No. 96: This Free Kick Modified USA Soccer Historical past The U.S. males's nationwide workforce hadn't made a splash on the World Cup in a long time – however that each one modified it the USA hosted the 1994 version. It was because of a wonder-goal in opposition to Switzerland by the USA star Eric Wynalda.

This Free Kick CHANGED Historical past 🇺🇸 No. 96 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments Wynalda's unstoppable, curling free kick simply earlier than the groups headed to the dressing rooms practically blew the roof off the Silverdome in suburban Detroit. The match ended 1-1. That time, plus an upset win over Colombia a couple of days later, was sufficient to ship the USA to the second spherical, the place they took eventual champ Brazil to further time earlier than dropping 1-0.

No. 95: One Of the Greatest Opening Objectives Ever In 2006, Germany legend Philipp Lahm scored top-of-the-line opening objectives to a World Cup ever. From a distance, Lahm (carrying a solid on his proper arm following a latest damage) curled the ball completely into the highest nook previous Costa Rica keeper José Francisco Porras.

You Could not Script a Higher Opening Purpose 🇩🇪 No. 95 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments After all, it was even sweeter because the Germans have been internet hosting the event with excessive hopes of profitable all of it on dwelling soil. The hosts fell within the semifinals however Lahm's superb approach and management on this objective in Munich will likely be one of many event's highlights.

No. 94: A Volley For The Ages Tim Cahill is arguably Australia's greatest males's soccer participant ever and that is on account of his capacity to attain in large moments on the World Cup. That included this spectacular volley on the 2014 event in Brazil, the place he confirmed his approach and skill in opposition to the Netherlands.

A volley for the ages 🦘 Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments 🏆 No. 94 A looping lengthy move from one aspect to the Porto Alegre pitch to the opposite, Cahill one-timed the shot into the web on the good angle because the ball kissed the underside of the bar. A stellar objective adopted by his trademark fighting-the-corner-flag celebration.

No. 93: This Rule Proved Too Merciless This Rule Proved Too Merciless 🇫🇷 No. 93 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments 🏆 A brand new rule was launched within the 1998 World Cup spherical of 16: Golden Purpose. Rating in further time, and it’s over.

Hosts France have been deadlocked with Paraguay at 0-0 going into further time of their spherical of 16 matchup at Lens. The ball discovered Laurent Blanc on the fringe of the six-yard field, and he buried it to finish the match at 1-0. France superior; Paraguay was eradicated on the spot.

France went on to win all of it, however it could be one of many closing few nations to profit from the merciless rule, because it was scrapped altogether six years later.

No. 92: First Again-to-Again Champs The First Again-to-Again Champs 🇮🇹 No. 92 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments 🏆 It did not take lengthy for the World Cup to have its first dynasty.

After lifting the trophy on dwelling soil on the second-ever World Cup in 1934, Italy did it once more at France 1938, stamping its legacy perpetually.

Italy may not be essentially the most well-known repeat World Cup champions of all time, however it can go down in historical past as the primary.

No. 91: A Purpose That Deserved A Happier Ending Archie Gemmill’s surprise objective for Scotland within the 1978 FIFA World Cup would have despatched them to the knockout stage in the event that they hadn’t fallen quick on objective distinction in opposition to the Netherlands.

This Purpose Deserved a Happier Ending 🥲 No. 91 in Greatest FIFA World Cup™ Moments 🏆 Gemmill had Scottish followers dreaming of an upset in opposition to one of many world's greatest sides. Within the 68th minute, the diminutive midfielder danced away from three Dutch defenders earlier than lobbing a left-footed end over the keeper Jan Jongbloed. With a two-goal lead, it appeared Scotland would advance.

However it was to no avail because the Dutch scored minutes later, leaving the heartbroken Scots questioning what might have been. As an alternative, the Netherlands superior on goal-difference and would go on to make a second consecutive World Cup closing look.

Till the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FOX Sports activities is counting down the highest 100 moments in event historical past. Verify again each day for a brand new second.