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Top 20 : The Greatest Matches of All Time
&

The Telegraph & World Soccer Magazine have teamed up to find out the greatest football matches of all time. World Soccer have compiled a list of the Top 20 in their summer edition.

These matches are available on our site now in DVD format PAL

20.
West Germany 2 Holland 1
World Cup second round, Milan, June 24, 1990

The West Germany-Netherlands clash produced a repeat of the Euro 88 semifinal. The match turned ugly after 22 minutes when Rudi Völler and Frank Rijkaard, in an infamous moment, were dismissed after a bizarre spitting incident.

19.
Germany 0 Italy 2
World Cup semi-final, Dortmund, July 4, 2006

Only a couple of superbly-executed Italian goals could separate these two very evenly-matched teams on a night of high drama in Dortmund. German dreams of reaching the World Cup Final on home soil died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final.

18.
Barcelona 4 Fortuna Dusseldorf 3
Cup-winners Cup final, Basle, May 16, 1979

The 1979 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between FC Barcelona of Spain and Fortuna Düsseldorf of West Germany. Barcelona won the match 4–3 thanks to goals by José Vicente Sánchez, Juan Manuel Asensi, Hans Krankl and Carles Rexach.

17.
France 3 Portugal 2
European Championship semi-final, Marseille, June 23, 1984

The first semi-final between France and Portugal is often considered one of the best matches in the history of the European Championship. Domergue opened the scoring for France but Portugal equalized through Rui Jordão in the second half. The game went to extra time and the drama began.

16.
Liverpool 5 Alaves 4
Uefa Cup final, Dortmund, May 16, 2001

This was the final that had everything: eight goals in a period of normal time that was anything but normal, two dismissals for a gallant Alaves side and, to crown a truly extraordinary evening, a golden goal conceded by Delfi Geli to give Liverpool their first European trophy since 1984.

15.
Blackpool 4 Bolton 3
FA Cup final, Wembley, May 2, 1953

The 1953 FA Cup Final was known by many as 'The Matthews Final', thanks to the wonderful display by Stanley Matthews that led Blackpool to beat Bolton Wanderers by four goals to three in Wembley's highest scoring Final.

14.
Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1
Champions League final, Barcelona, May 26, 1999

Manchester United completed a unique treble, after a stunning victory in the European Cup thanks to injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solksjaer.

13.
Brazil 1 Uruguay 2
World Cup final, Rio de Janeiro, July 16, 1950

Uruguay won the Jules Rimet World Cup for Association football for the second time in the short history of the championship. They fought back after being a goal down, equalised, and then took the lead, leaving the world's record crowd of nearly 200,000 Brazilian fans completely dumbfounded and bewildered.

Not Available
12.
Italy 3 Brazil 2
World Cup second group stage, Barcelona, July 5, 1982

Brazil, World Cup favourites in many senses, are out of the tournament. But the widespread sadness that will be felt around the world about their demise must be combined with immense respect and admiration for the way Italy removed them at the Sarria Stadium in Barcelona.

11.
West Germany 3 Hungary 2
World Cup final, Berne, July 4, 1954

It did not take long to realise that the rain-soaked pitch was not going to spoil the quality of the football, nor was it going to rob the Hungarians of what has now become a habit for them - almost a necessary of life - the inspiring effect of an early goal.


TOP 10
10.
England 3 Hungary 6
Friendly, Wembley, November 25, 1953

The match that changed the game. Hungary arrived in England as Olympic champions and undefeated for three years, prompting the English press to call the friendly "the match of the century".

9.
Benfica 5 Real Madrid 3
European Cup final, Olympic stadium, Amsterdam, May 2, 1962

Benfica were the first club to challenge the hegemony of Real Madrid in the European Cup. They had won their first title a year earlier, in May 1961, against Barcelona in Berne. That summer, 19-year-old Eusebio was introduced to the first team. He played a starring role as Benfica reached the European Cup final again.


Portuguese commentary
8.
Brazil 4 Italy 1
World Cup final, Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 21, 1970

The first World Cup final between two previous winners produced one of the greatest displays of attacking football ever seen on the world stage. As the match report in the July 1970 edition of World Soccer declared: "Here was proof that football, played the way it was meant to be, with artistry and skill, can still succeed in the modern era."

7.
England 4 West Germany 2
World Cup final, Wembley, July 30, 1966

Wembley stadium provided the setting for the match that is for ever remembered for Geoff Hurst's extra-time heroics and the histrionics of Soviet Union linesman Tofik Bakhramov.

6.
France 1 Brazil 1 (France 4-3 on pens)
World Cup quarter-final, Jalisco stadium, Guadalajara, June 21, 1986

Such an epic match did not deserve to be settled by penalties. But after a compelling 120 minutes, during which tournament favourites Brazil and France, the European champions,had traded attack upon attack, that was what had to happen.

5.
Hungary 4 Uruguay 2
World Cup semi-final, La Pontaise stadium, Lausanne, June 30, 1954

The 1954 World Cup final between Hungary and West Germany has been dubbed the Miracle of Berne and is a milestone in the history of post-war Germany. But the semi-final between Hungary, the best team in the world at that time, and defending champions Uruguay was the most exciting game of the tournament.


4.
West Germany 3 France 3 (West Germany 5-4 on pens)
World Cup semi-final, Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, Seville, July 8, 1982

When great matches of the World Cup are recounted, there will always be a place for this remarkable duel between French skill and West German stamina.

3.
Real Madrid 7 Eintracht Frankfurt 3
European Cup final, Hampden Park, Glasgow, May 18, 1960

Real Madrid's demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt is the most famous final in the history of the European Cup; the match that opened people's eyes to the wider European game. The victory in Glasgow secured a fifth successive trophy for Madrid – still a record – and ensured the club's place in football's hall of fame.

2.
Liverpool 3 Milan 3 (Liverpool 3-2 on pens)
Champions League final, Ataturk stadium, Istanbul, May 25, 2005

Though only two years ago, the "Wonder of Istanbul" has already entered football folklore. Liverpool's astonishing turnaround from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 and then triumph in the penalty shoot-out ranks as the greatest comeback in the history of the game.

1.
Italy 4 West Germany 3
World Cup semi-final, Azteca stadium, Mexico City, June 17, 1970

When World Soccer told Franz Beckenbauer that the 1970 World Cup semi-final between Italy and West Germany had been voted the greatest match, he was not surprised. "It was the same when we voted in Germany."

Runner-ups : The Greatest Football Matches of All Time
21.
Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2
English championship decider, Anfield, Liverpool, May 26, 1989

May 26th 1989, was in the words of the legendary commentator Brian Moore, "a night of chilling simplicty". Arsenal had to win at Anfield, the fortress home of the reigning champions Liverpool, and they had to win by 2 clear goals, something no one had done there for 3 years, all this and they would be champions for the first time since 1971. Anything else and the trophy would stay at Anfield.

22.
Romania 3 Argentina 2
World Cup 2nd round, Los Angeles, Rose Bowl, July 3, 1994

Maradona was close to the best form of his life, but they found "something" in his blood and kicked him out of the tournament. The rest of the team was good enough, but the Romanians played divinely. Hagi provided us with the highlight of the tournament, scoring with a lob from over 40 yards. It could have been the finals itself and it would have been a thousand times better than the real one, between Brazil and Italy, which also finished 3-2. After penalties, that is.



Top 20 : The Greatest Goals of All Time


The Soccerphile.com web site reports the Top 20 "Most Greatest Goals of the All Time". Phenomenal goals no doubt get scored at lower league games or even in schoolyards, but we have taken into account only goals achieved on the big stage. Many goals are repeated over and over on televisions but some goals are very rare and difficult to find. Enjoy the full matches and prove how great they are.

These matches are available on our site now in DVD format PAL
20.
Dejan Savicevic (Yugoslavia)
Milan - Barcelona 4-0 (Champions League 1994)

Milan was 2-0 ahead in the final in Athens, but capable of totally humiliating a fancied Barcelona. Savicevic, "the Genius", alone on the right edge of the penalty area, fires a preposterous lob which beats the towering, reliable Zubizarreta.
19.
Gianluca Vialli (Italy)
Juventus - Parma 1-1 (UEFA Cup 1995)

A high ball travelled from afar from the centre, slightly towards the left of the goal. Vialli followed its flight like a hawk, never losing it from sight, and struck it with a high volley, sending it where it is sweetest: under the bar. The Cup went to Parma, but the medal for skill was for Vialli.


Italian
commentary
18.
Rivaldo (Brazil)
Barcelona - Valencia 3-2 (Spanish League 2000)

Last day of the Spanish championship. Barcelona was out of the Champions' League, Valencia was in. In the last minute, Frank de Boer crosses a high, useless ball to the edge of the area. Useless? Rivaldo jumps, bends backwards and performs a sensational scissor kick which gave Barca the win and a place in the Champions' League. "I had to strike it hard since I was so far from the goal," said the scorer of one of the most beautiful goals in Barcelona's history.


Spanish
commentary
17.
George Weah (Liberia)
Milan - Verona 4-1 (Italian League 1997)

The African player of the century in his best shape. Running 80 meters from Milan's to Verona's goal, he left seven players behind before nailing it home.

Not Available
16.
Nelinho (Brazil)
Brazil - Italy 2-1 (World Cup 1978)

Third place playoff. Italy lead by 1-0, but Brazil had a grandmaster in Nelinho. From the right flank, 25 meters wide, he launched a smart bomb. At first, it headed towards the opposite touch line, but in front of Dino Zoff's goal, it swerved and entered the far upper corner of the net. A touch of genius.

15.
Manuel Negrete (Mexico)
Mexico - Bulgaria 2-0 (World Cup 1986)

World Cup second round. A sharp cross from the right at chest level. Negrete pounces on the ball and with his body in a horizontal position hits a dream volley from about 14 meters.


14.
Carlos Alberto (Brazil)
Brazil - Italy 4-1 (World Cup 1970)

The final match of the first Mexican World Cup. Clodoaldo beat two Italians and started a play which will go on for 15 consecutive passes and culminates with Carlos Alberto's tremendous strike from the right side, past Milan's Albertosi. The best combination in World Cup history.

13.
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Red Star - Barcelona 2-4 (Cup Winners' Cup 1983)

Diego had only arrived in Catalonia, but his fans were already crazy about him. In the Cup Winners' Cup second round at Belgrade's Marakana, he advanced to the edge of the area, but Aleksandar Stojanovic had all paths to the net covered. All? No, the air was undefended. Maradona's solution? A lob, from the ground, without a run, that defied the laws of physics.

Not Available
12.
Ronaldo (Brazil)
Compostela - Barcelona 1-5 (Spanish League 1997)

Eight Compostela players tried to stop Ronaldo during his 55 meter-long run initiated in Barca's half by the touchline. But, Ronaldo was then at the peak of his physical strength and the rule of thumb was: bring him down, or he will score. And they could not bring him down.


Spanish
commentary
11.
Gheorghe Hagi (Romania)
Romania - Colombia 3-1 (World Cup 1994)

In the USA Romania played prettier football than Brazil themselves, and Hagi was their inspiration. From 40 meters out, he unleashed a lob that beat the keeper. How do we know he aimed? Well, because he is Hagi.



TOP 10
10.
Rafael van der Vaart (Holland)
Ajax - Feyenoord 2-0 (Dutch League 2004)

A deep pass towards Van der Vaart turned with his back to the goal. He lets the ball pass, moves away from its path, then recoils his left heel and with perfect coordination scores the best goal ever in the Dutch League.


Spanish
commentary
9.
Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
France - Brazil 0-1 (Tournoi de France 1997)

A free kick from 20 meters out, directly in front of Barthez's goal. Roberto Carlos takes a run and hits it with the outside of his left cannon, er, foot. Initially, it seems the ball flies towards the corner flag. Then it takes a shape turn towards Barthez's left post and goes in between the post and the astonished keeper. The greatest free-kick ever!

8.
Pele (Brazil)
Brazil - Sweden 5-2 (World Cup 1958)

Just inside the penalty box, Pele flicks the ball over one Swede, then over another and then calmly sends it to the opposite corner of the net. An amazing display of calm and skill for a 17 year-old, starting the greatest career of them all.

7.
Rabah Madjer (Algeria)
Porto - Bayern 2-1 (European Cup 1987)

In Vienna, before a partisan crowd, Bayern lead by 1-0 with 13 minutes to go. The Algerian virtuoso Madjer found himself with the ball right before him, only he was turned with his back to the goal. Without the time to turn, Madjer flicks it backwards with his heel, knowing by the reactions of his mates he had sent it home. Two minutes later, Madjer crosses for Juary and there was the first European Cup for Porto.

6.
Zinedine Zidane (France)
Real Madrid - Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 (Champions League 2002)

Champions League final at Hampden Park. At 1-1, a cross from the left wing falls at the edge of the penalty box before Zidane, level with his chin. The Franco-Algerian fires a geometrically perfect volley stretching the net under the bar and winning the ninth European title for Real Madrid.

5.
Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Parma - Lazio 1-3 (Italian League 1999)

Mancini decides a big match at Parma. A corner kick to the near edge of Parma's area, towards Mancini positioned at 14 meters with his right flank to the goal. Without looking at the goal, the number 10 strikes the ball semi-backwards with the outside of his right foot, sending it right under the crossbar.

Not Available
4.
Ryan Giggs (Wales)
Manchester Utd - Arsenal 2-1 (FA Cup 1999)

FA Cup semifinal. A weary Giggs with a groin injury receives the ball in his own half, then launches a run towards Seaman, dribbles past four members of the best English defence, approaches the goal from the left and unleashes a cannonball just under the bar. A goal that equals Maradona's against England in Mexico.

3.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Sweden - Italy 1-1 (Euro 2004)

Draw or elimination was Sweden's dilemma five minutes from the end of the game against Italy. The Azzurri kicked the ball away from the goal-line towards the center of the box, empty of Swedes. But, Zlatan rushes with his back to the goal towards the ball, jumps and flicks it backward with the outside of his right foot, sending a perfect lob over and beyond Buffon.

2.
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
Argentina - England 2-1 ( World Cup 1986)

The only way to apologize for the "Hand of God", an illegal handball which duped the referee, was with a fabulous goal. And Maradona delivered just that, at the end of a 60-meter slalom around six England defenders.

1.
Marco van Basten (Holland)
Holland - USSR 2-0 (Euro 1988)

Veteran Arnold Mühren launches a long cross from the left flank. The ball flies for 40 meters towards Marco van Basten at the opposite end of the area, almost at a dead angle to the goal. The Swan from Utrecht hits the ball with the top of his right foot and sends it with terrific force and accuracy to the only undefended spot above the world's best keeper, Rinat Dasayev. The goal of goals for the only Dutch international crown.

Runner-ups : The Greatest Goals of All Time
21.
Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina)
Argentina - Serbia & Montenegro 6-0 (World Cup 2006)

May 26th 1989, was in the words of the legendary commentator Brian Moore, "a night of chilling simplicty". Arsenal had to win at Anfield, the fortress home of the reigning champions Liverpool, and they had to win by 2 clear goals, something no one had done there for 3 years, all this and they would be champions for the first time since 1971. Anything else and the trophy would stay at Anfield.

22.
Dennis Bergkamp (Holland)
Holland - Argentina 2-1 (World Cup 1998)

"Den-sational!" screamed the headline in The People as Dennis Bergkamp's sublime last-gasp winner condemned Argentina to defeat in a quarter-final which saw both sides finish with 10 men.

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).




The Top 10 UEFA Champions League games
After Chelsea and Liverpool's titanic battle at Stamford Bridge in 2009, The Guardian, one of England's leading newspapers, ranked the most memorable Champions League encounters of all time as following:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery/2009/apr/15/championsleague-liverpool
10.
Deportivo La Coruna 4-3 Paris Saint-Germain
(2000/01 group stage)

Leroy, the last-minute replacement for the injured Nicolas Anelka, scored twice for PSG as, following Jay-Jay Okocha's fortunate opener, they established a 3-0 lead, Deportivo's normally raucous Riazor stadium stunned to silence. Birmingham fans will wonder how Walter Pandiani could hold sway over European classics, but the substitute’s hat-trick of headers, along with a Diego Tristán goal, lead the most unbelievable of comebacks in the final half-hour.

Not Available
9.
AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona
(1993/94 final)

The great Barcelona side of Ronald Koeman, Hristo Stoichkov and Romario was expected to swat aside Fabio Capello’s Milan shorn of their hugely influential but suspended captain, Franco Baresi. Daniele Massaro scored twice in the first half as Milan dominated against their highly fancied opponents. Having set up Massaro’s second, Dejan Savicevic deservedly capped a superb performance with the third, lobbing Andoni Zubizarreta. Marcel Desailly, in scoring the fourth, put his mark on a victory that made him the first player to win consecutive European Cups with different clubs.

8.
Manchester United 4-3 Real Madrid
(2002/03 quarter-final second leg)

The phenomenon that was Ronaldo at his peak was given a standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd after his hat-trick rendered United’s brave effort pointless. Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Steve McManaman all excelled in midfield for the Spanish side, prising open a United defence where the last line of defence was an unsure Fabien Barthez. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his 14th Champions League goal of the season against his future club before David Beckham did the same, twice – but it was all just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic after Ronaldo’s display of power, pace and lethal finishing.

7.
Dynamo Kiev 3-3 Bayern Munich
(1998/99 semi-final first leg)

Andriy Shevchenko and Kakha Kaladze put the Ukrainian side in the box seat with first-half goals only for Michael Tarnat to give the Germans a lifeline just before half-time with an extraordinary free-kick from 35 yards. Vitaliy Kosovksyi made it 3-1 on the restart before Steffan Effenberg fired home a trademark free-kick. The match was approaching its denouement when Carsten Jancker popped up inside the area to stun the majority of the 80,000 in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. Bayern were, of course, to be on the wrong end of such a comeback in the final against Manchester United.

6.
Valencia 5-2 Lazio
(1999/2000 quarter-final first leg)

A hat-trick from Gerard López was the difference between these two sides after a pulsating match that saw the conventional first leg strategy of keeping it tight dispensed with at the Mestalla. Gerard’s first in the fourth minute came two minutes after his team-mate Miguel Ángel Angulo had opened the scoring. Simone Inzaghi halved the deficit before Gerard scored twice, either side of half-time. Marcelo Salas gave hope to the Italians before Claudio Lopez’s injury-time strike demoted the return leg to dead rubber status

5.
Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool
(2008/09 quarter-final second leg)

Few expected thrills and spills when these two were pitted against each other for the fifth season in succession, which made the ludicrous 180 minutes that followed all the more joyous for the neutral, particularly the second instalment. Petr Cech forgot how to keep goal but Didier Drogba returned to his unplayable best. Each side’s Brazilian demonstrated nous from free-kicks in very different ways, Fernando Torres retreated, while Frank Lampard eventually excelled in a match that ebbed and flowed so much as to make even the armchair fan nauseous.


4.
Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona
(2004/05 last-16 second leg)

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard and Damien Duff proved within 20 minutes that Jose Mourinho could adopt a devil-may-care attitude when the mood struck, but by half-time Ronaldinho, still in his pomp and certainly in the mood, struck – once from the penalty spot and then with the most glorious of 20-yard belters, preceded by an arrogant shuffle and no discernable backlift. Petr Cech saved brilliantly from future team-mate Juliano Belletti, Andres Iniesta and Carlos Puyol before John Terry won the game with a trademark header.

3.
Deportivo 4-0 Milan
(2003/04 quarter-final second leg)

Never have Milan been made to look as feeble in defence as they were in the first 43 minutes of this match. Goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque brought Deportivo level after they had lost the first leg 4-1 at San Siro. There was an inevitability to Gonzalez Fran’s second-half clincher as the Rossaneri’s defence was swept away in a blue and white cyclone.

2.
Juventus 2-3 Manchester United
(1998/99 semi-final second leg)

This match brings two words to mind: “Roy Keane” – his performance and the residual effect it had on his team-mates was astounding, but what shouldn’t be forgotten is, having drawn level after Filippo Inzaghi’s early brace via their talismanic captain and Dwight Yorke, Alex Ferguson’s side were ahead on away goals, but they kept attacking and Andy Cole’s late tap-in was a deserved winner.

1.
Liverpool 3-3 Milan - Liverpool win 3-2 on pens
(2004/05 final)

Behind 3-0 at half-time to goals from Paolo Maldini and a brace from Hernan Crespo, a breathless six-minute spell and goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso brought Liverpool level. Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek excelled, not only in the shootout, but also with a stunning double save from Andriy Shevchenko at the end of normal time.

Runner-ups : The Greatest UEFA Champions League games
11.

Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid
(2003/04 Quarter-final)

Real Madrid won 4-2 in the first leg with a breathtaking four-goal in the second-half. Real Madrid CF was on course of the semi-finals; however, AS Monaco produced one of the biggest upsets of the season by recovering from a 4-2 first-leg deficit to defeat Real Madrid 3-1 and earn a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on the away goals rule. What a games! What a drama! Anything more to say?

12.
Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea
(1999/2000 Quarter-final)

Chelsea created a sensational upset by winning the first leg 3-1 at their home stadium Stamford Bridge. However, in the second leg at the Camp Nou, the game had finished 3-1 to Barcelona in normal time. This made it 4-4 on aggregate with no away goals rule advantage to either team and meant that an additional 30 minutes of extra time was necessary.

Rivaldo scored the penalty to make the score 4-1 and Patrick Kluivert scored a fifth goal in the second period of extra time, making the final score 5-1 on the night and 6-4 over the two legs to Barcelona.

13.
Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 2 Liverpool
(2001/02 Quarter-final)

On an evening of extraordinary drama of 90 topsy-turvy minutes, Liverpool conceded more goals than in all their previous Champions League away games of 2001-02 combined. The dream of a place in the last four is over for Gérard Houllier's players. At the end Steven Gerrard stood disbelievingly, head in hands. Yards away Bayer Leverkusen's coach Klaus Toppmöller hugged his unquenchable team with such feeling that he hauled them off the ground.

The final blow had been delivered by the Brazil defender Lucio, not long after Jari Litmanen seemed to have earned Liverpool a place in the last four with a fine individual strike that would have put them through on away goals.





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