10) Denmark 6-1 Uruguay, 1986, group stage
It can certainly be argued that Denmark is the most exciting World Cup debutant the tournament has ever seen. While sporting the most iconic kit in the history of the tournament, Denmark became known as 'the Brazilians of Scandinavia' with their relentless attacking style.
They had already beaten Scotland and subsequently made light work of West Germany, but it was their performance in between, where they humiliated Uruguay 6-1, that upgraded them to potential winners of the tournament. Verona ace Preben Elkjaer scored a hat-trick, while his striking partner Michael Laudrup ploughed through the South American defence like a knife through butter.
9) Netherlands 1-1 Argentina, 1978, final (Argentina won 3-1 after extra-time)
The start of this final was plunged into controversy, as the Dutch, who allegedly were led on an intended detour on their way to the stadium, accused the Argentines of using stalling tactics to delay the match. The host team eventually emerged five minutes late as the raucous crowd covered the pitch in confetti.
Mario Kempes scored the first goal, slotting under Jan Jongbloed from 12 yards out before Dick Nanninga equalised with a powerful header eight minutes from time. With the score locked at 1-1, Kempes restored the lead for the host nation in extra time with a trademark solo run before Daniel Bertoni completed the victory 10 minutes later.
8) Argentina 3-0 Croatia, 2022, semi-final
It would be impossible to talk about World Cup history without mentioning Lionel Messi. In the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 tournament, the Argentinian magician marked his record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance in style as he led the South Americans to a 3-0 victory over Croatia.
The 35-year-old gave Argentina the lead and later produced arguably the best assist of the tournament to set up Julian Alvarez for Argentina's second goal when he made Croatia's Josko Gvardiol look like a schoolboy defender on a trademark run as he turned the current Manchester City defender inside out on the right flank before putting the ball on a plate for Alvarez.
7) Brazil 4-1 Italy, 1970, final
The destiny of the Jules Rimet Trophy would forever be decided by this match. Pele showed all his brilliance to head home a Jairzinho cross after 18 minutes before Brazil were punished for poor defending to allow Roberto Boninsegna to equalise before the break.
Gerson then restored the Brazilian lead with a sheer rocket finish in the 66th minute, before Jairzinho gave the Brazilians a two-goal advantage as Pele headed the ball into his path. Shortly before the end, full-back Carlos Alberto scored one of the greatest ever goals as a total of seven outfield players passed the ball until the captain hammered the ball into the corner.
6) Argentina 3-2 West Germany, 1986, final
With a huge attendance and a wonderful atmosphere, all eyes were on Diego Maradona before the final between two former champions, Argentina and West Germany, at the Azteca Stadium. Jose Brown put Argentina one up midway through the first half of the final, and the South Americans looked in solid control when Jorge Valdano scored a second 10 minutes into the second half.
However, West Germany then launched a spirited comeback when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge cut the deficit in the 74th minute, and six minutes later, Rudi Voller scored the equaliser. With seven minutes remaining, Maradona showed all his class to give Jorge Burruchaga the chance to score the winner for Argentina.
5) England 2-2 Argentina 1998, round of 16 (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties)
After Maradona's brilliance and the 'Hand of God' had denied England 12 years earlier, the Three Lions failed to get their revenge over Argentina in Nantes. The Argentines got off to a strong start with an early penalty for Gabriel Batistuta, before Michael Owen got England back in the game by first winning an equalising spot-kick and then finishing a sublime solo run to make it 2-1.
However, just before half-time, the South Americans executed a wonderful set-piece that allowed Javier Zanetti to level the match against Glenn Hoddle's men, who were forced to defend for more than an hour with 10 men after David Beckham was sent off. In the end, England lost on penalties as so often before.
4) England 4-2 West Germany, 1966, final
Sir Alf Ramsey's England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time to win the World Cup for the first time in history, and since then, England haven't been able to repeat that accomplishment. After Helmut Haller’s early opener, the Three Lions managed to turn the match on its head with goals from Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters before Germany took the game to extra time with a last-minute equaliser from Wolfgang Weber.
However, the hosts claimed the win in circumstances that are still debated to this day when Hurst’s fierce shot bounced down off the underside of the bar. It's still unclear whether the ball crossed the line, but the goal was awarded, much to the dismay of the protesting Germans.
3) France 1-1 Brazil, 1986, quarter-final (France won 4-3 on penalties)
It was fittingly compared to 'The Fight of the Century', as one of the most enthralling matches played in football history, with players like Joel Bats, Manuel Amoros, Jean Tigana, Michel Platini, Socrates, and Careca in the shape of their lives. Careca finished off a terrific sweeping move to break the deadlock before Platini equalised.
Zico came on in the second half to provide a trademark, outside-of-the-boot pass from which Branco earned the Selecao a penalty. However, the ingenious playmaker failed to beat Bats from the penalty spot, and also in the penalty shoot-out, France had the better nerves as Luis Fernandez finally snatched a semi-final place for Les Bleus.
2) West Germany 3-3 France, 1982, semi-final (West Germany won 5-4 on penalties)
Many people will probably remember the semi-final for goalkeeper Harald Schumacher's horrendous challenge on Patrick Battiston, where he ploughed his hip into the Frenchman's face at high speed, as the defender lost two teeth and broke three ribs. In the end, a composed, clinical, and organised German outfit pulled through against a gifted French side, led by Michel Platini, who played with all the flair in the world.
Les Bleus went 3-1 up in extra-time after the game ended 1-1, but a strike from substitute Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer's overhead forced the game into a penalty shoot-out where Schumacher's saves from Didier Six and Maxime Bossis proved decisive.
1) Italy 3-2 Brazil, 1982, second group stage
Known as 'the day football died', the 1982 Brazil outfit became known as "the greatest team never to win the World Cup" when they lost 3-2 against Italy in the intermediary round of the World Cup.
In preparation for the tournament, Brazil, who had Toninho Cerezo, Falcao, Socrates, and Zico (arguably the greatest midfield in football history), had warmed up for the World Cup by beating England in London, France in Paris, and West Germany in Stuttgart. But after scoring 13 times in four matches, Brazil paid the biggest price for naive defending as Paulo Rossi's hat-trick took Italy through to the next stage.