5 epic dying-minute goals in World Cup history

Italian Football Federation Trophies And Memorabilia Are Displayed In Turin
The World Cup

The World Cup is the mecca of world football where players represent their country and put their best foot forward in terms of the performances and skill. They extract the best out of each other so that their country can earn the glory of winning the World Cup.

It is a place where fans get to see a galaxy of stars and the atmosphere is spirited and full of adrenaline. Goal scoring becomes the supreme vocation, and supporters cheer passionately for their home country.

There have been numerous occasions when the players have scored the goal at the dying minutes of the match. Here are five last-minute goals which created history at the World Cup.

#5. Dennis Bergkamp, Netherlands vs Argentina, 1998 World Cup quarterfinal

UEFA Euro '92 Semi-Final - Netherlands v Denmark
UEFA Euro '92 Semi-Final - Netherlands v Denmark

In the 1998 World Cup quarterfinal match, Argentina and Netherlands were tied at 1-1, until Dennis Bergkamp sprang up a surprise. In the 89th minute, Frank de Boer gave a 60-yard pass into the Argentine end. Bergkamp meticulously plucked the ball from the air, dribbled from inside of Argentine center back Roberto Ayala and put the ball into the goalpost. The Dutch side won the match 2-1.

This was Bergkamp’s 36th goal for his national side. He said,

"That’s my top goal, I think. Also because of everything around it. It’s a goal that gets you to the semi-final of the World Cup, a massive stadium, lots of people watching and cheering... My reaction afterwards was very emotional.”

#4. David Beckham, England vs Greece, 2002 World Cup qualifier

David Beckham of England
David Beckham of England

England were down 2-1 in the dying minutes of a 2002 World Cup qualifier match against Greece. They needed to draw or win this match to advance into the World Cup finals then fortuitously Greece committed a foul outside their own box, some 25 yards out. English fans were hopeful, but a bit dejected as the seconds ticked off.

David Beckham took the free-kick in the 93rd minute and etched his name in the annals of English football. England drew the match 2-2 with Greece and found themselves in the World Cup finals.

#3. Lionel Messi, Argentina vs Iran, 2014 World Cup group stage

FC Barcelona v Juventus - UEFA Champions League
FC Barcelona v Juventus - UEFA Champions League

This turned out to be a tough match for Argentina as Iran held them goalless until Lionel Messi scored a stunner. In the 91st minute, he hit the ball from 25 yards with his left-foot, breaking Iranian hearts. With this win, Argentina booked their place in the knockout stages and Messi won the prize for player of the tournament.

Messi said, “As soon as I got the ball at the end we were all in attack because we wanted to put Argentina through with a win.”

#2. Toni Kroos, Germany vs Sweden, 2018 World Cup group stage

Germany v Sweden: Group F - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Germany v Sweden: Group F - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

The first goal was scored by Sweden, but three minutes into the second half, Germany scored an equalizer. It was a neck-to-neck match until Toni Kroos came into action. In the 95th minute, he gave a free-kick short pass to Marco Reus before sweeping the return pass into the goalpost.

Germany won by 2-1 and moved on to the knockout stages. Coach Joachim Low said to FIFA, "His free-kick was world-class, and he really deserved it."

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal vs Spain, 2018 World Cup group stage

Real Madrid v APOEL Nikosia - UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid v APOEL Nikosia - UEFA Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to give Portugal the lead with first-half goals, but Diego Costa scored two goals in each half to equalize the score. Nacho Fernandez put Spain ahead with a goal from outside the area. They led with a score of 3-2, but in the 88th minute, Ronaldo hit a free-kick in the goalpost with his right foot to score a hat-trick.

Portugal drew the game 3-3 with Spain and the Spanish sports daily AS quite aptly had this on the front page: “Too little luck, too much Ronaldo.”

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Edited by Emeka Monyei