Pele magic and Hurst heroics: Five of the best World Cup Finals

Hurst regained the lead with his controversial second goal – which sparked years of ‘was it over the line?’ debates. But it stood. He then completed his second, to send the nation into raptures.

1974: Germany 2-1 Netherlands

The Netherlands – led by Johan Cruyff – were favourites to win the 1974 final, despite it taking place at Munich’s Olympic Stadium.

Rinus Michels’ side were the creators of Total Football, and had swept aside all challengers en route to the ’74 showpiece. That included a 4-0 demolition of Argentina and 2-0 defeat of holders Brazil.

Things seemed to be following the script when Johan Neeskens fired home a penalty within two minutes to put the Dutch ahead. However, complacency kicked in and Germany pounced with typical ruthlessness.

Paul Breitner levelled the scores with another spot-kick (on 25 minutes), before a clinical Gerd Muller finish made it 2-1 before the break. And despite a wave of second-half Netherlands pressure, Germany held firm for glory.

1986: Argentina 3-2 West Germany

For better or worse, this World Cup will always be remembered for Diego Maradona. The dazzling and divisive midfielder wowed with five goals but courted infamy with his ‘Hand of God’ punch.

However, it was three of Argentina’s less-remembered stars who secured a final victory in Mexico’s Azteca Stadium, in front of a crowd of 114,000.

La Albiceleste took the lead on 22 minutes when a goalkeeping error allowed Jose Luis Brown to nod home his first – and only – international goal. And it seemed done and dusted when Jorge Valdano doubled their lead after the break.

However, Germany roared back with goals from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voller. With nine minutes left, it was 2-2 and Die Mannschaft had the momentum. Step forward Argentine midfielder Jorge Luis Burruchaga, to net a composed winner three minutes later.

2006: Italy (p) 1-1 France

World Cup Finals are almost always remembered for their goals. But not 2006. The enduring image from the showpiece in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium is Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi.

The two men in question netted the game’s only goals, and both came early. A seventh-minute pen from ‘Zizou’ was followed by a Materazzi header 12 minutes later.

A tense and feisty affair, Zidane’s red card on 110 minutes summed up the fractious, gripping nature of the final. In the end, the Italians triumphed on penalties – with dependable left-back Fabio Grosso slotting home the decisive spot-kick.

Click here for the latest World Cup Final odds from Coral.

Big match previews, betting tips and transfer news – we’ve got it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing