Japan’s chaotic VAR goal that ousted Germany makes list of 100 best World Cup moments

What comes to mind when you think of the best moments from the FIFA Men’s World Cup? It could be Diego Maradona breaking through the England defense to score the goal of the century. Or a legend like Pelé or Lionel Messi lifting the trophy to the sky. It could be something more controversial, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s wink after Wayne Rooney’s sending off. When the World Cup comes to North America this summer, there are many more moments ahead. It remains to be seen whether they will be part of the pantheon of the best. In the meantime, we’re counting down the most iconic, controversial and defining moments in men’s World Cup history. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, here’s our countdown of the 100 best men’s moments in history. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. [WHEN AND WHERE: Full Schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup] No. 100: Pure Control, Pure Class, Pure Messi In 2018, the pressure on Lionel Messi was mounting. Argentina’s star captain was goalless in two matches, including a 3-0 defeat to Croatia. He had to do something against Nigeria. That’s when the Messi magic appeared. Argentina won the match and progressed. An incredible first touch from Lionel Messi which saved Argentina. And while the Albiceleste were knocked out by eventual champions France in the round of 16, Messi’s sublime goal was perhaps the best of the tournament. No. 99: Red card for… Partying?! Vincent Aboubakar made Cameroonian history by scoring a winner against Brazil in 2022, the first time an African country had beaten the five-time champions in a World Cup. The problem was that he was later sent off for excessive celebration. The Indomitable Lions were still eliminated despite the victory, with the Brazilians qualifying for the round of 16. Still, it was a punishment worth the moment of shirtless joy. It even seemed that the referee felt a little bad about having to hand out the red card. No. 98: Cuauhtémoc Blanco makes history Are you trying to get rid of two defenders? You should think about trying this trademark move created by one of the greatest Mexican players of all time. It was so nice that it was called the “Cuauhtemiña” all over the world. At the 1998 World Cup, Cuauhtémoc Blanco squeezed the ball between his feet and did his best kangaroo impression by jumping between two South Korean defenders. It may not have produced a goal, but the Bravo neighborhood player from Tepito made a move that immediately touched the hearts and minds of football fans. No. 97: Klinsmann’s Roundhouse Flick Long before coaching the United States men’s national team at the 2014 World Cup, Jürgen Klinsmann scored a ton of goals for Germany, including this stunning one against South Korea. Klinsmann, who four years earlier had helped his country win the World Cup for the third time, would turn what looked like a routine pass reception with his back to goal into one of the most memorable goals of USA 1994 with a hip pivot. No. 96: This free kick changed American soccer history The United States men’s national team hadn’t made a splash at the World Cup in decades – but that changed everything when the United States hosted the 1994 edition. It was thanks to a stunning goal against Switzerland from American star Eric Wynalda. Wynalda’s unstoppable free throw just before the teams headed to the locker room nearly blew the roof off the Silverdome in suburban Detroit. The match ended 1-1. That point, along with an unexpected victory over Colombia a few days later, was enough to send the United States to the second round, where they took eventual champion Brazil to overtime before losing 1-0. No. 95: One of the best opening goals in history In 2006, German legend Philipp Lahm scored one of the best opening goals at a World Cup of all time. From distance, Lahm (wearing a cast on his right arm following a recent injury) curled the ball perfectly into the top corner past Costa Rica goalkeeper José Francisco Porras. Of course, it was all the more pleasant because the Germans were organizing the tournament with high hopes of winning everything at home. The hosts fell in the semi-finals, but Lahm’s incredible technique and control of that goal in Munich will be one of the highlights of the tournament. No.94: A volley for the ages Tim Cahill is arguably the best Australian rules football player of all time and that’s down to his ability to score in big moments at the World Cup. This includes this spectacular volley during the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where he showed his technique and abilities against the Netherlands. A long looping pass from one side of the Porto Alegre pitch to the other, Cahill sent a shot into the net at the perfect angle as the ball kissed the underside of the bar. A stellar goal followed by his famous celebration fighting against the corner flag. No. 93: This rule proved too cruel A new rule was introduced during the round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup: the golden goal. Score in added time, and it’s over. Host France was deadlocked against Paraguay (0-0) before extra time in the round of 16 in Lens. The ball found Laurent Blanc at the edge of the penalty area and he buried it to end the match at 1-0. France is moving forward; Paraguay was eliminated instantly. France won everything, but it will be one of the last countries to benefit from this cruel rule, since it was completely abandoned six years later. No. 92: First back-to-back champions It didn’t take long for the World Cup to experience its first dynasty. After lifting the trophy on home soil in the second World Cup in history in 1934, Italy did it again at France 1938, marking their legacy forever. Italy may not be the most famous repeat world champion of all time, but they will go down in history as the first. No.91: A goal that deserved a happier ending Archie Gemmill’s marvelous goal for Scotland at the 1978 FIFA World Cup would have sent them to the round of 16 had they not failed on goal difference against the Netherlands. Gemmill made Scottish fans dream of a victory against one of the best teams in the world. In the 68th minute, the diminutive midfielder broke away from three Dutch defenders before throwing a left-footed shot at goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed. With a two-goal lead, Scotland looked set to advance. But it was to no avail as the Dutch scored minutes later, leaving the heartbroken Scots wondering what could have been. Instead, the Netherlands progressed on goal difference and made a second consecutive appearance in the World Cup final. No. 90: The Ultimate Team Goal 25 succeeds. Nine players. An emblematic goal for Argentina. In the 2006 World Cup (the first in which Lionel Messi appeared), Argentina faced a stern test against Serbia in the group stage. It was one of those games where the underdogs knew they would have to be precise on defense to keep a much more talented Argentina team at bay. Except it didn’t work out that way, and Argentina pounced from the start with an early goal from Maxi Rodriguez in the sixth minute. And that’s when the magic of Albiceleste takes over. In the 31st minute, a patient team effort involving a combination of on-target passes allowed Hernán Crespo to pass the ball to substitute Esteban Cambiasso early in the match. Goal, Argentina. Four more followed – including Messi’s first ever World Cup appearance. But that day, it was the Cambiasso strike that dominated. No. 89: Controversial goal affects three teams One of the toughest groups at the 2022 World Cup included Germany (four-time champions), Spain (2010 champions), the ever-talented Japan and feisty Costa Rica. So you knew this group was going to have fireworks. This happened on the last day. Germany takes on Costa Rica and Japan takes on Spain, with all four teams hoping to progress. At halftime in both matches, it looked like Spain and Germany would advance, while Japan and Costa Rica would head home. But then the script was torn up. In the 51st minute of the Japan-Spain match, Kaoru Mitoma chases the ball – he watches. But he centers it towards Ao Tanaka, who scores from an improbable angle. VAR says the ball remained in play by the narrowest of margins. The goal holds. Japan leads the group. Spain has also progressed. Germany was eliminated despite its victory over Costa Rica. Joy and sorrow all around. Until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, FOX Sports is counting down the 100 best moments in tournament history. Come back every day for a new moment.