WORLD CUP FINAL SUNDAY: The World Cup final is upon us, and with it comes the expectation of history made in an instant, moments to be savoured for generations and the making and cementing of legends for years to come..
Qatar 2022 has already produced many memorable moments and reminded us why football is, without a doubt, the greatest sport on the planet. With incredible underdog stories, the first African nation to reach the semi-final of the tournament, and numerous iconic performances from rising stars, the World Cup 2022 has had everything and will undeniably leave football fans with an empty feeling after it comes to its dramatic conclusion.
To prepare us for what could be one of the most fiercely fought finals of the century, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina taking on the holding champions France, we have compiled some of the most impressive stats and records from the world-famous fixture since its first edition almost 100 years ago.
Kicking us off, we look at the side with the most World Cup final appearances without winning, Netherlands. Netherlands have lost the World Cup final on three occasions in the years 1974, 1978, and 2010, and despite their obvious footballing talent and winning ability, have never succeeded in leaping the final hurdle and lifting the coveted World Cup trophy.
Producing some of the best footballing talent of the 20th century, Netherlands have been long established as one of the footballing greats and, by most accounts, deserve to be recognised among the best in the world with their name printed on the bottom of the gold trophy.
Unfortunately for the European side, the dream has never quite materialised but looking at the teams they consistently produce, it won’t be long before we see them back again and with a chance of making it fourth time lucky.
Of all the teams that have made it to the final Netherlands are one of the most common, but there are two teams in particular that seem to show up a little more often than most. Argentina and Germany have both won the competition on more than one occasion, and on their paths to success, inevitability and, perhaps, fate have put them in the final together more times than any other pair in the history of the competition.
Meeting in the final in 1986, 1990 and 2014, no teams have clashed more times in the World Cup final than Argentina and Germany, creating one of the most entertaining rivalries in football history.
Speaking of appearances in the World Cup final, there are many teams that have featured in numerous finals, but there is only one player ever to have played in three finals. The Brazilian right-back Cafu played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals, winning the first and last of the three, making him one of the most revered players in the history of the game.
As World Cup finals are the matches that create champions, there are always going to be goals. Sir Geoff Hurst, one of England’s most celebrated players, scored the winning goals in the final in 1966 against West Germany, leading England to their first and only World Cup title. Scoring a hat-trick in the match, Hurst remains the only player in the history of the tournament to score three goals in the final and goes down as the legend that brought football home for the English.
If Hurst’s heroics weren’t enough, his 120th-minute goal in extra-time of the same final stands as the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup final – an iconic goal that produced one of football’s most memorable lines of commentary.
Wrapping up this compilation, it’s only right we show some recognition for the fans, the integral part of the chain that makes the tournament so universally cherished. Football would be nothing without the fans, and the same goes for the World Cup; with their contagious enthusiasm, unwavering affection and vibrant energy, the World Cup doesn’t truly begin until the fans flock in their masses.
However, as impressive as the travelling supporters are, the real magnitude of the World Cup is expressed by those watching at home. With the thousands in the fan zones, the crammed living room sofas, the school assemblies, and frenetic pubs, the World Cup final reaches every corner of the planet and envelopes the furthest reaches of society, even if it is for 90 minutes.
Breaking the record for the most watched final and second most watched sporting event in history, the final between Brazil and Germany in 2002 was watched by 1.5 billion people across the world, with some predictions stating upwards of 2 billion laid eyes on the iconic match. The game saw a 2-0 Brazil win thanks to goals from Ronaldo Nazario and captured the attention of almost a quarter of the world’s population.
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