World Cup — Iconic matches.
Updated June 29, 2026 · DynastyDaily Editorial · ● Live Last updated: 2026-06-30T07:36:00Z
Direct answer
The matches outside the World Cup final that defined eras: the Maracanazo (1950), Hand of God (1986), Korea vs Italy 2002, Germany 7-1 Brazil 2014, Morocco 1-0 Portugal 2022. Nine deep-dive profiles.
The 9 most iconic non-final World Cup matches
From the Maracanazo (1950) to Saudi Arabia's shock of Argentina (2022) — the matches outside the trophy game that defined eras.
16 July 1950 · Final round, decisive match
Uruguay 2-1 Brazil
Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Match story →
20 June 1954 · Group stage
Hungary 8-3 West Germany
St Jakob Park, Basel
Match story →
22 June 1986 · Quarterfinal
Argentina 2-1 England
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Match story →
18 June 2002 · Round of 16
South Korea 2-1 Italy (Golden Goal)
Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon
Match story →
25 June 2002 · Semifinal
Germany 1-0 Turkey
International Stadium, Yokohama
Match story →
11 July 2010 · Final
Spain 1-0 Netherlands (a.e.t.)
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Match story →
8 July 2014 · Semifinal
Germany 7-1 Brazil
Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Match story →
22 November 2022 · Group stage
Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina
Lusail Stadium, Lusail
Match story →
10 December 2022 · Quarterfinal
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Match story →
What makes a match iconic?
The most memorable World Cup matches aren't always finals. They're moments that reshaped how the sport sees itself: an unfancied side toppling a giant, a single player carrying the weight of a continent, an upset so total it broke the host country (Brazil 7-1, 2014), or a goal so beautiful it transcends the result (Maradona's Goal of the Century, 1986).
For the trophy matches, see our full finals history (1930-2022). For per-edition knockout brackets including every R16/QF/SF result, see standings by year.
Tables and ranking points refresh as matches finish. Standings · Match schedule · World Cup 2026
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