The best World Cup finals are remembered for unforgettable goals, dramatic comebacks, legendary performances and moments that changed football forever. While every FIFA World Cup final crowns a champion, not every final delivers the same level of excitement.
Some finals have been tactical battles decided by a single goal, while others have produced stunning drama that remains etched in football history decades later. From Diego Maradona’s heartbreak in 1990 to Lionel Messi’s masterpiece in 2022, every generation has witnessed defining moments on football’s biggest stage.
Here is our ranking of the best World Cup finals, from the least memorable to the greatest ever played.
14. Germany 1-0 Argentina (2014)
The 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro promised a classic but produced a cautious encounter instead.
Argentina had chances through Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, while Germany dominated possession without creating many clear openings.
Mario Gotze finally settled the contest in extra time with a superb chest control and volley in the 113th minute.
It was technically impressive, but for long periods the match lacked attacking urgency, making it one of the least entertaining finals despite its historic significance.
13. Italy 1-0 France (2006)
This final is remembered less for football and more for one shocking moment.
Zinedine Zidane gave France the lead with a cheeky Panenka penalty before Marco Materazzi equalised with a powerful header.
Extra time produced little attacking quality until Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Materazzi earned him a red card in the final match of his career.
Italy eventually triumphed on penalties, but the match itself never reached the heights expected from two outstanding teams.
12. Argentina 1-0 West Germany (1990)
Many supporters consider this the least entertaining FIFA World Cup final.
The game featured constant fouls, little creativity and only one goal, Andreas Brehme converting a late penalty after a controversial challenge on Rudi Voller.
Argentina finished with nine men as Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti were sent off.
It remains historically important but rarely appears among discussions of the best World Cup finals.
11. Spain 1-0 Netherlands (2010)
Spain finally became world champions, but the match itself was an attritional battle.
The Netherlands employed aggressive tactics, collecting numerous yellow cards while Nigel de Jong escaped with only a booking for his famous karate-style challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Arjen Robben missed the chance to become a national hero before Andres Iniesta scored the winner in extra time.
The goal was magical but the football before it was largely frustrating.
10. France 3-0 Brazil (1998)
France’s first World Cup triumph transformed football in the country.
Zinedine Zidane scored twice with headers before Emmanuel Petit completed the victory late on.
Brazil’s disappointing performance, surrounded by questions over Ronaldo’s mysterious illness before kick-off, prevented the contest from becoming an all-time classic.
Nevertheless, the occasion remains iconic in French sporting history.
9. Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954)
Known as the “Miracle of Bern,” this was one of football’s greatest surprises.
Hungary’s legendary Golden Team entered the final unbeaten in four years and quickly established a 2-0 lead.
West Germany refused to surrender, fighting back to win 3-2 through Helmut Rahn’s late strike.
The upset completely altered international football and remains one of the greatest surprises in World Cup history.
8. England 4-2 West Germany (1966)
England’s only World Cup triumph still sparks debate nearly six decades later.
Geoff Hurst became the only player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final, including the famous “Wembley Goal” that struck the underside of the crossbar.
Whether the ball crossed the line continues to divide football fans.
The drama, controversy and extra-time excitement ensure its place among the best World Cup finals.
7. Brazil 5-2 Sweden (1958)
This final introduced the world to a 17-year-old named Pele.
Brazil dazzled with attacking football, overturning an early Swedish lead before running away with the contest.
Pele scored twice, including one of the greatest goals ever seen in a World Cup final, while Vava and Zagallo also found the net.
Brazil’s first world title marked the beginning of a football dynasty.
6. Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)
Many regard Brazil’s 1970 team as the greatest ever assembled.
The final showcased beautiful attacking football featuring Pele, Jairzinho, Rivellino, Tostao and Carlos Alberto.
Carlos Alberto’s unforgettable team goal remains one of the finest goals in football history.
Although Italy struggled to keep pace, the quality of Brazil’s performance alone makes this one of the best World Cup finals.
5. Argentina 3-2 West Germany (1986)
Diego Maradona did not score, but he controlled the match with his extraordinary vision.
Argentina appeared comfortable after taking a 2-0 lead before West Germany staged an impressive comeback to level the contest.
Maradona then produced a perfectly weighted through ball for Jorge Burruchaga, who calmly scored the winner.
It was a fitting conclusion to one of the greatest individual tournaments ever played.
4. France 4-2 Croatia (2018)
The highest-scoring World Cup final since 1966 delivered constant entertainment.
Mario Mandzukic’s own goal opened proceedings before Croatia responded brilliantly through Ivan Perisic.
Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe then guided France to victory in an open and exciting contest.
Mbappe became only the second teenager after Pele to score in a World Cup final, announcing himself as football’s next global superstar.
3. Argentina 3-2 Netherlands (1978)
The atmosphere inside Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium was unforgettable.
Mario Kempes inspired Argentina with two goals in a dramatic final that went into extra time after Dick Nanninga’s late equaliser.
The Netherlands struck the post in the dying moments of normal time before Argentina dominated extra time.
While political controversy surrounded the tournament, the football spectacle remains unforgettable.
2. Italy 3-2 West Germany (1982)
The scoreline hardly tells the full story. After a tense opening hour that included Antonio Cabrini missing a penalty, the game exploded into life.
Paolo Rossi opened the scoring before Marco Tardelli produced one of football’s most iconic celebrations after making it 2-0.
Alessandro Altobelli added another before West Germany mounted a late fightback.
The quality, emotion and attacking football combine to make this one of the best World Cup finals ever played.
1. Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, 2022)
No other match compares. For almost 80 minutes, Argentina completely dominated as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria inspired a 2-0 lead.
Then came Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar scored twice in two breathtaking minutes before Messi restored Argentina’s advantage in extra time.
Mbappe responded again with a penalty to complete his hat-trick, forcing one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts in football history.
Messi finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him throughout his extraordinary career, while Emiliano Martinez’s late save from Randal Kolo Muani moments earlier produced one of the defining moments in FIFA World Cup history.
The quality, emotion, individual brilliance, momentum swings and historic significance combine to make Argentina versus France in 2022 not only one of the best World Cup finals, but arguably the greatest football match ever played.
Why these are the best World Cup finals
The greatest finals are remembered for more than the result. They create unforgettable moments that define generations.
Whether it was Geoff Hurst’s controversial hat-trick, Pele’s emergence as a global icon, Diego Maradona’s genius, Paolo Rossi’s redemption or Lionel Messi finally lifting football’s biggest prize, every era has produced its own masterpiece.
The best World Cup finals combine elite football, unforgettable drama and lasting historical significance. While opinions will always differ, the 2022 FIFA World Cup final raised the standard to extraordinary heights, delivering everything fans could hope for in football’s biggest game.
