Out of millions of football matches played, one stands above the rest—Italy vs. Brazil in the 1982 World Cup.
But why, given that it ended in heartbreak for the legendary Brazilian side? Perhaps that’s exactly why. As Ernest Hemingway once said, all great love stories end in tragedy—and the world was in love with Brazil’s breathtaking football in the early 1980s.
1. Italy 3-2 Brazil (1982 World Cup Quarterfinals)
Football’s Version of Casablanca
If Casablanca were a football match, this would be it. Brazil, a team adored by neutrals worldwide, had dazzled throughout the tournament with their attacking brilliance. Led by Zico, Socrates, Falcão, Junior, and Éder, they played with poetic beauty. Italy, in contrast, had barely scraped through the group stage, and their star striker, Paolo Rossi, had done little—until this match.
Needing only a draw to advance, Brazil relentlessly attacked. But Rossi, returning from a two-year ban, punished them with a hat-trick, exploiting defensive errors and silencing the world. It was a footballing tragedy, an unforgettable game that left millions heartbroken. A week later, Italy lifted their third World Cup, but many believed Brazil had deserved it more.
📍 Barcelona, July 5, 1982 – Sarriá Stadium
⚽ Scorers: Rossi (8′, 25′, 74′) | Socrates (12′), Falcão (68′)
2. France 3-2 Portugal (1984 European Championship Semifinal)
Platini’s Defining Moment
A match that defined France’s golden generation. France led early through Jean-François Domergue, but Portugal’s Jordão struck twice, including a stunning volley, putting the underdogs ahead. With just minutes left, Domergue equalized, forcing extra time. Then, in the dying moments, Michel Platini smashed home a cross from Jean Tigana to send France to the final in dramatic fashion.
📍 Marseille, June 23, 1984 – Stade Vélodrome
⚽ Scorers: Domergue (24′, 114′), Platini (119′) | Jordão (74′, 98′)
3. Brazil 1-2 Uruguay (1950 World Cup Final)
The Maracanazo – Brazil’s Darkest Hour
In front of 200,000 fans at the Maracanã, Brazil needed just a draw to win their first World Cup. When they took the lead through Friaça, celebrations erupted. But Uruguay had other plans—Schiaffino’s equalizer shook Brazil’s confidence, and with nine minutes to go, Alcides Ghiggia stunned the world with the winning goal. The silence in the stadium was deafening.
📍 Rio de Janeiro, July 16, 1950 – Maracanã Stadium
⚽ Scorers: Friaça (47′) | Schiaffino (66′), Ghiggia (79′)
4. Italy 4-3 West Germany (1970 World Cup Semifinal)
The Game of the Century
Italy led 1-0 for most of the match thanks to Boninsegna’s early strike, but in the final minute, Schnellinger equalized. What followed was the most chaotic extra time in football history—five goals were scored, with both teams leading and trailing at different points. Finally, Gianni Rivera’s composed finish secured victory for Italy. Meanwhile, Franz Beckenbauer played with a dislocated shoulder, epitomizing German resilience.
📍 Mexico City, June 17, 1970 – Estadio Azteca
⚽ Scorers: Boninsegna (8′), Burgnich (98′), Riva (104′), Rivera (111′) | Schnellinger (90′), Müller (94′, 110′)
5. Hungary 4-2 Uruguay (1954 World Cup Semifinal)
A Clash of Champions
Hungary, the best team of the 1950s, faced the reigning World Cup champions, Uruguay. Goals from Czibor and Hidegkuti gave Hungary a comfortable lead, but Juan Hohberg struck twice to force extra time. Ultimately, Sándor Kocsis’ two headed goals sent Hungary to the final, but the match drained them physically and emotionally, contributing to their loss against West Germany.
📍 Lausanne, June 30, 1954 – Stade Olympique de la Pontaise
⚽ Scorers: Czibor (13′), Hidegkuti (47′), Kocsis (111′, 116′) | Hohberg (75′, 86′)
6. West Germany 3-3 (5-4 pens) France (1982 World Cup Semifinal)
Drama, Controversy, and a Penalty Shootout Classic
In normal circumstances, France’s dazzling football would have overpowered West Germany. But this was no ordinary match. At 1-1, Harald Schumacher brutally fouled Patrick Battiston, knocking him unconscious—yet the referee didn’t even award a foul. France took a 3-1 lead in extra time, but the Germans fought back, with Fischer’s stunning bicycle kick forcing penalties. Schumacher, now the villain-turned-hero, saved the decisive penalty to send Germany to the final.
📍 Seville, July 8, 1982 – Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
⚽ Scorers: Littbarski (17′), Rummenigge (102′), Fischer (108′) | Platini (26′ pen.), Tresor (92′), Giresse (98′)
7. Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970 World Cup Final)
The Greatest Team of All Time?
Brazil’s 1970 squad is often considered the best in football history. Led by Pelé, they played a free-flowing, beautiful game. Italy held their own in the first half, but after the break, Brazil exploded—Gérson, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto scored stunning goals to secure their third World Cup in style.
📍 Mexico City, June 21, 1970 – Estadio Azteca
⚽ Scorers: Pelé (18′), Gérson (66′), Jairzinho (71′), Carlos Alberto (86′) | Boninsegna (37′)
8. Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid (1962 European Cup Final)
The Passing of the Torch
Real Madrid, led by an aging Puskás, raced to a 3-2 halftime lead, with the Hungarian legend scoring a hat-trick. But a young Eusébio took over in the second half, scoring twice and guiding Benfica to victory. This match marked the shift of European dominance from Madrid to Lisbon.
📍 Amsterdam, May 2, 1962 – Olympisch Stadion
⚽ Scorers: Águas (25′), Cavém (34′), Eusébio (64′ pen., 68′) | Puskás (17′, 23′, 38′)
