World Cup timeline
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Uruguay Defeats Argentina to Win First FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural edition of the world championship for international association football teams – the FIFA World Cup. It... Read more
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Italy Defeats Czechoslovakia to Win Second FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup, or the World's Cup as it was known then, was the second football World Cup staged, and hosted by Italy from 27 May to 10... Read more
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First Asian Country Indonesia (Dutch East Indies) at the 1938 FIFA World Cup
Indonesia, under the name Dutch East Indies, was the first Asian team to participate in the World Cup when they qualified to the 1938 tournament. A... Read more
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Italy Defeats Hungary to Win the 1938 FIFA World Cup
The World Cup in France was played in the play-off system. In the first round, after a fierce match and additional time Poland, a first-time player... Read more
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Uruguay Defeats Brazil to Win the 1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup, and the first staged in 12 years due to World War... Read more
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West Germany Defeats Hungary to Win 1954 FIFA World Cup in "The Miracle of Bern"
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. As the year saw the 50th anniversary... Read more
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Brazil Defeats Sweden to Win the 1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup Final took place in Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden on 29 June 1958. Brazil won the World Cup by defeating Sweden, and thus... Read more
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Brazil Defeats Czechoslovakia to Win Second Consecutive FIFA World Cup Championship
The 1962 FIFA World Cup Final was the deciding match of the 1962 FIFA World Cup. It was contested by Czechoslovakia and Brazil. Brazil won the game... Read more
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England Defeats West Germany to Win 1966 FIFA World Cup
The host of the World Cup 1966 was England (mainly because of a centennial of The Football Association falling in 1963). FIFA made a controversial... Read more
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Gordon Banks's 'Greatest Save of All Time' Off of Pelé Header
That Gordon Banks is better remembered for this one save during England's match with Brazil in 1970, rather than winning the World Cup, is a sign... Read more
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Brazil Beats Italy to Win Third FIFA World Cup Championship, Earning Permanent Retention of the Jules Rimet Trophy
In the 1970 FIFA World Cup Final, Brazil struck first, with Pelé heading in a cross by Rivelino at the 18th minute. Roberto Boninsegna equalized... Read more
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West Germany Beats the Netherlands to Win the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final
The 1974 FIFA World Cup Final was the final match of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the 10th FIFA World Cup, a competition to determine the best national... Read more
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Archie Gemmill Becomes Unlikely Hero through Key Goal Against the Netherlands in 1978 World Cup Finals
Scotland's greatest World Cup moment came against the Dutch at the 1978 Finals. To guarantee progress from their group, Ally MacLeod's side needed... Read more
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Argentina Beats the Netherlands to Win the 1978 FIFA World Cup Final
The Final of the 1978 FIFA World Cup was contested between host Argentina and The Netherlands. The match was won by the Argentines in extra time by... Read more
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Prince Fahid of Kuwait Storms Field Mid-Game to Contest French Goal
One of the most bizarre World Cup moments occurred in 1982 during Kuwait's match with France. The French were winning 3-1 when Alain Giresse... Read more
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Italy Defeats West Germany to Win Their Third FIFA World Cup Championship
Paolo Rossi was the hero in Spain, his six goals propelling Italy to a third world crown. The Azzurri ran out 3-1 Final winners against a German... Read more
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The "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century": Diego Maradona's Goals Beat England 2-1
AKA The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century. The Hand of God, one of the most controversial goals, was scored as the result of an illegal (but... Read more
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Maradona Scores Both Goals in Memorable 2-0 Victory Over Belgium in World Cup Semi-Finals
After overcoming England in controversial fashion in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, Argentina marched into the next round where they... Read more
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Argentina Beats West Germany to Win the 1986 FIFA World Cup Final
After his disappointing showing in Spain four years earlier, Maradona had the trophy and also the legacy he craved. As Burruchaga would later... Read more
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West Germany Defeats Argentina to Win the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final
This was, in truth, a poor World Cup. It's a saying among Dutch football fans that poor quality tournaments are always won by the Germans and,... Read more
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Maradona Sent Home from 1994 World Cup for Failing Drug Test
Former finalist Argentina were looking to extend their success from the previous two World Cups. Alas, their star Diego Maradona got suspended... Read more
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Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov Lead Bulgaria Past Germany in World Cup Quarter-Final Upset
The Germans looked a safe bet to progress from their quarter-final tie with Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup. But they hadn't banked on playing a... Read more
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Brazil Defeats Italy on Penalty Shootout to Win Fourth World Cup Final
The United States staged a hugely successful 15th FIFA World Cup that became the best attended in history and ended with Brazil celebrating their... Read more
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18-Year-Old Michael Owen Makes Stunning Debut Playing for England with Goal Against Argentina
The 1998 World Cup in France saw 18-year-old Liverpool wonder-kid Michael Owen break onto the international stage. After forcing his way into the... Read more
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David Beckham Ejected from Second-Round World Cup Game Against Argentina for Kicking Diego Simeone
Before the 1998 World Cup, Beckham was still the rising star. His relationship with Victoria was blossoming and his career at Manchester United was... Read more