1998 Nigeria: Spain


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It was a carnival atmosphere at Nantes’ intimate La Beaujoire Stadium. Throngs of Spanish fans braved the short, but arduous crossing of the Pyrenees waving flags, painted red and yellow, La Furia’s fanaticos were even up to challenging the thumping


1994 Brazil: Netherlands


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Famed the world over for their sultry skills, Brazil landed on the shores of the United States for one reason and one reason alone - to get their hands on the FIFA World Cup. The three-time champions had not won the world championship for two dozen


1990 Cameroon: England


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At a tournament that was criticised for being excessively defensive, this was one game at Italia 90 that certainly had people on the edge of their seats. England, one of the favourites to lift the trophy, were not expected to struggle against surprise-package


1986 France : Brazil


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The 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ quarter-final between France and Brazil was always going to be one to savour - the recently crowned kings of Europe against the undisputed champions of romantic football.


1986 USSR : Belgium


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The Soviet Union, known historically as an efficient if somewhat uninspired outfit, arrived at the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ as outside favourites to take the laurels. And with nine scintillating starters from Dynamo Kiev’s outstanding


1986 Argentina : England


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The expressions “hand of God” and “goal of the century” are part of football folklore, and for most fans conjure up memories of one epic encounter. The year was 1986 and Argentina were taking on England in the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final.


1982 Italy : Federal Republic of Germany


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Under a bright blue Spanish sky, the two best teams in the 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™ - Italy and West Germany - played out a highly anticipated final and few of the millions to see the match came away disappointed.


1982 France : Federal Republic of Germany


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The history of the FIFA World Cup™ is punctuated with extraordinary matches that linger in the memory decades later. The semi-final of the Spain 82 between West Germany and France is one such match - indeed it must go down as one of the most exciting games of football ever.


1982 Italy : Brazil


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It was the stuff of dreams for Paolo Rossi and the Italian fans. Enzo Bearzot's Italian side were up against Tele Santana's Brazil, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. For the Squadra Azzurra only a victory would do, while tournament favourites Brazil could make do with a draw.


1978 Argentina : Netherlands


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In footballing terms, the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™ Final may not have been the greatest game of all time, but it is still remembered for the passion and commitment shown by both sides, and above all the unbelievable atmosphere in the Estadio Monumental of Buenos Aires.


1974 Netherlands : Brazil


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It was a clash of two footballing titans in the second group stage of the 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™ when the Netherlands met Brazil. Two of the best and most entertaining sides in the world had all to play for as the winner would head into the final match…


1970 Brazil : Italy


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The fitting culmination to what was, in the eyes of most observers, the quintessential FIFA World Cup™ tournament. This match had all the ingredients of a great final - goals, end-to-end football and star players.


1970 Italy : Federal Republic of Germany


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Those old enough to remember the 1970 FIFA World Cup™ semi-final will not have forgotten one of the most dramatic matches of all time - the epic clash of styles between the opportunism of "Gigi" Riva's Squadra and the will to win of "Kaiser" Beckenbauer's Mannschaft.



1966 Portugal : Korea DPR


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In sharp contrast to familiar names like Benfica duo Eusebio and Jose Torres, the upstarts from North Korea were unknown part-timers all – with strange, anonymous monikers brimming with whimsical novelty to Western ears.


1966 England : Federal Republic of Germany


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Any Englishman, whether or not he was even born at the time, will swear to you that the ball did actually cross the line… Along with Geoff Hurst's hat-trick - the only to date in a FIFA World Cup™ final - and West Germany's equaliser with the last kick of normal time, it was truly a legendary moment for coach Alf Ramsey and his charges.