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Football fans often rue the international break but international football has thrown plenty of drama and suspense in recent years. From the World Cup to the Euros and Asian Cup to qualifiers for international tournaments, we've seen plenty of goals that illustrate that 'anything can happen in football.' Controversial penalties, handballs, red cards and injuries are just some of the facets of the game that make international football so interesting. The passion of representing your country in international football cannot be matched which makes these match-winning goals even more special.
Here are the ten best last-minute goals in international football
#10 Kiko Narvaez, 1992 Olympics Final
The Olympics always have an interesting football tournament and this final between Poland and Spain was perhaps the best final in the Olympics ever.
With the game tied at 2-2, Kiko Narvaez latched onto a pass and slotted past the keeper in the 90th minute to clinch the gold medal for Spain. The Spain squad was hugely talented with the likes of Luis Enrique taking part in the Olympics. Spain until the 21st century were never really a force on the international scene but this gold medal triumph was an iconic moment for the Spanish national side.
#9 David Beckham, World Cup Qualifying 2002
Another iconic player on the list, David Beckham's freekick from distance against Greece is a goal that summarizes the impact Beckham had on the Three Lions team both as a player and as its captain.
England were down 2-1 at Old Trafford and despite needing only a draw to qualify for the World Cup Finals, seemed unlikely to score against a solid Greek defence. A foul in stoppage time about 30 yards from goal seemed like an unlikely route for England to equalize. Up steps Beckham as the footballing iconic struck a fierce, dipping strike past the keeper to send England to the World Cup.
#8 Dennis Bergkamp, 1998 World Cup
The Netherlands have underachieved internationally despite the sheer talent that they've possessed over the years. Bergkamp's 90th-minute winner against Argentina is a goal that Oranje fans will never ever forget.
The mercurial Dutchman controlled a diagonal pass from Frank De Boer and took three sublime touches before scoring past Roberto Ayala and sending the Dutch into the semis for the first time in 20 years. The goal was called 'perfect' by Ruud Gullit and Bergkamp himself accepted it as a 'perfect moment. 'The Netherlands team was perhaps one of their best ever boasting players like Gullit, Bergkamp, Edgar Davids and Rijkaard. The goal was the result of the sheer class of the Dutch players. A pinpoint 60 yard diagonal from Frank De Boer and Bergkamp's feather touch to bring the ball under control, take the opposition defender out of play and calmly slot past the keeper.
The Dutch commentary illustrates the magnitude of the goal as well.
#7 William Gallas, 2010 World Cup Qualifying
Thierry Henry's infamous handball led to William Gallas scoring a late winner against the Republic of Ireland in the qualifying phase for the 2010 World Cup. Les Bleus had a poor qualifying campaign and found themselves in the playoff against Ireland. The Irish were well organized and strong defensively and arguably deserved to go through.
France won the first leg at home 1-0 but were losing 1-0 in Ireland thanks to Robbie Keane's goal. The game went to extra time and following a free-kick which was played in from outside the penalty box, Thierry Henry appeared to use his hand to keep it from going out of play. The ball fell to William Gallas who was on hand to score and take France to the World Cup. The incident prompted huge criticism of both Henry and the officials.
#6 Francesco Totti, 2006 World Cup
Francesco Totti dispatched a late penalty in the 2006 World Cup Round of 16 as Italy scraped past a defensively solid Australian side. Fabio Grosso was controversially impeded in the penalty box in the 90th minute before Totti calmly scored the penalty and sent Italy to the next round. Italy went on to win the World Cup. Italy under Marcello Lippi were an infamously defensive side. Their World Cup triumph itself was smitten by luck but this takes nothing away from the team spirit of the Azzurri. Fabio Grosso made an attacking run down the left flank and skipped past his opponent, finding himself in the penalty spot. As he continued his run, an Australian defender dived in and appeared to miss Grosso entirely.
Despite the lack of contact, Grosso went down and Italy were awarded a penalty. The Socceroos were justified in being incensed with the decision but then again which side hasn't enjoyed success without a little bit of luck.
#5 David Platt, 1990 World Cup
England midfielder David Platt scored in the 119th minute against Belgium to hand England victory in the Round of 16 tie. Platt's goal remained the latest ever goal scored in the World Cup until the record was broken in 2006. The goal was also Platt's first ever goal for the Three Lions. Paul Gascoigne set himself up for a free kick in a central area of the pitch about 30 yards from the Belgian goal. A floated ball towards the danger area was played in for Platt to swivel exquisitely and volley past the Belgian goalkeeper in thunderous fashion.
The technique involved in the placement of the free-kick as well as Platt's sweet connection with the volley make it go down as one of the great World Cup goals.
#4 Sylvain Wiltord, Euro 2000
France striker Sylvain Wiltord scored in the final minute of injury time to take the game to extra time. Italy scored in the 55th and held on before Wiltord slotted past Toldo in injury time to equalize. France went on to win the game in extra time.
Desperate to find an equalizer in the dying stages of the game, a long ball found Patrick Vieira who nodded the ball onto Wiltord. Wiltord managed to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper and hand France, the world champions, a much-needed lifeline. David Trezeguet scored in extra time to crown Les Bleus as European Champions as well.
#3 Fabio Grosso, 2006 World Cup
Italy had plenty of luck in the 2006 World Cup and after their controversial penalty against Australia, the Azzurri left it late in the semi-final against Germany as well. The game was at 0-0 and looked to be heading to penalties before defender Fabio Grosso scored. Germany pushed for the equalizer but were caught on the counter as Del Piero scored and made it 2-0 sending Italy to the finals.
Grosso was in the spotlight following his antics against Australia when he seemed to dive to win a penalty. On this occasion, the Italian defender's ability made the difference. An Italian corner was cleared by the Germans to Andrea Pirlo at the edge of the penalty area. Pirlo beat his man and found Grosso in space. Taking it the first time, Grosso curled a majestic strike past Jens Lehmann in goal and ran towards Marcello Lippi in celebration.
#2 Andres Iniesta, 2010 World Cup
This fiery final in the 2010 World Cup can be remembered for a variety of reasons. From Nigel De Jong's kung fu kick on Xabi Alonso to Heitinga's red card. Spain triumphed 1-0 to win their first World Cup title thanks to Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute.
The Dutch were defending with 10 men and the game seemed to be heading for penalties before Spain managed to bypass a tired Dutch defence. In the buildup to the goal, Holland should have had a corner which was incorrectly awarded as a goal kick to Spain. Casillas' kick found its way to Torres out wide who floated in a cross for Iniesta in the box. The Netherlands could clear the ball only as far as Fabregas who threaded a pass for Iniesta to half-volley past Maarten Stekelenburg in the Netherland's goal. Delirious celebrations followed.
#1 Mario Gotze, 2014 World Cup
World Cup finals seem to keep having last-minute winners. In the 2014 final, Mario Gotze's goal for Germany against Argentina in the 113th minute made Germany world champions after they held off Argentina. Argentina scored an offside goal through Gonzalo Higuain and Germany hit the post as well through a Howedes header but neither side could score as the game went to extra time.
Germany, as expected, dominated possession but Argentina were always a threat on the counter. Argentina managed to keep the well-oiled German attack quiet and could have easily scored if they were more clinical in front of goal. Subbed on in the 88th minute, then Bayern Munich player Mario Gotze beautifully controlled an aerial pass from Andre Schurrle and volleyed past Sergio Romero to score the winner in the 113th minute and cap off a fantastic tournament for Die Mannschaft. Truly one of the most iconic World Cup goals.
