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From 2002 to 2022, the FIFA World Cup finals produced some of football’s most legendary moments.
The FIFA World cup has given football fans countless iconic moments, and many of them have come on the sport’s biggest stage: the final. From legacy-defining performances and heartbreaking defeats to unforgettable goals and dramatic finishes, the World Cup final represents the ultimate dream for every footballer.
Since 2002, six World Cups have been played, and each final has produced moments that will forever be remembered. However, some stand above the rest. Here is our ranking of the FIFA World Cup finals of the 21st century.
6. France vs Croatia (2018)
This wasn’t a bad World Cup final by any means, but compared to the others on this list, it falls just short.
France entered the tournament with a squad loaded with talent in every position. It was the peak of players like Antoine Griezmann, N’Golo Kante, and Paul Pogba, while also serving as Kylian Mbappe’s official introduction to the world stage. To reach the final, Les Bleus defeated Belgium’s golden generation, featuring Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois.
On the other side stood Luka Modric and Croatia, a nation of fewer than four million people. Alongside Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic, and a talented supporting cast, Croatia shocked the football world on its way to the final. Modric, who would eventually win the Golden Ball, carried the nation through a remarkable tournament run, including a semifinal victory over England.
The final ended 4-2 in France’s favor. While Croatia put up a fight, France’s quality ultimately proved too much as they lifted their second World Cup trophy.
5. Germany vs Argentina (2014)
The German side was so dominant throughout the tournament that they thrashed the host nation Brazil in the infamous 7-1. It was just different with Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, and Manuel Neuer all at their peaks, along with Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, and Jérôme Boateng.
On the other side, Argentina was led by, of course, Leo Messi, alongside Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, with teammates who weren’t really at par with the previous and next Argentinian teams.
In front of 74,738 fans at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, it was a game full of near chances, but Mario Gotze ended it as he only needed one chance. Right after being subbed on, he received André Schurrle’s cross and volleyed it onto the net to secure a 1-0 victory and finish the job as Germany won the World Cup.
4. Brazil vs Germany (2002)
The 2002 World Cup is remembered for many things, but perhaps none more famous than Ronaldo’s iconic haircut.
After the heartbreak of the 1998 final, R9 entered the tournament determined to complete one of football’s greatest redemption stories. Alongside Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, he formed one of the most feared attacking trios in football history.
Waiting for Brazil in the final was Germany. It was a clash between two of football’s biggest nations, featuring world-class talent on both sides.
Brazil had been dominant throughout the tournament, and Ronaldo delivered when it mattered most. The Brazilian superstar scored both goals in a 2-0 victory, completing his redemption arc and securing Brazil’s fifth World Cup title. The combination of historical significance, superstar talent, and Ronaldo’s unforgettable comeback makes this one of the most memorable World Cup finals ever played.
3. Spain vs Netherlands (2010)
Spain’s golden generation finally delivered its first star. In South Africa in 2010, Spain matched up against the Netherlands. They had become a dominant nation recently, also winning Euro 2008. With a loaded midfield, it was difficult to take the ball away from them, as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, and Sergio Busquets controlled the game.
Their opponents, the Netherlands, with Wesley Sneijder, Robin Van Persie, and Arjen Robben, made it difficult in the final.
It was an intense back-and-forth with missed chances until the 90th minute, as it was still goalless. But just before the end of extra time, minutes before the final whistle, Iniesta gave Spain the lead and the title with a volley to secure a 1-0 win.
2. Italy vs France (2006)
This World Cup final will forever be remembered for one of the most shocking and remarkable moments in football history: Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
Yet the match was far more than that.
It featured some of the greatest players of their generation battling for football’s ultimate prize. France had Zidane, Thierry Henry, and Patrick Vieira. Italy countered with Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo, and Gianluigi Buffon. It was football royalty on both sides.
The game itself produced several unforgettable moments. Zidane opened the scoring with a daring Panenka penalty against Buffon before Materazzi equalized for Italy. The match remained tied at 1-1 after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout.
Then came the defining moment. After an exchange of words, Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest and was sent off in what became the final match of his legendary career.
In the shootout, David Trezeguet’s effort struck the crossbar and stayed out. It proved decisive as Italy converted their penalties to secure their fourth World Cup title in one of the sport’s most dramatic finals.
1. Argentina vs France (2022)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final was more than a football match — it was a movie.
Argentina arrived in the final with Lionel Messi chasing the one trophy missing from his resume. Alongside veterans like Angel Di Maria and emerging stars such as Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez, Argentina defeated Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia to reach the final.
France defeated Poland, England, and a tough Morocco squad to book themselves a back-to-back trip to the finals. This matchup had many stories: Argentina’s best chance to give Messi his World Cup, and Kylian Mbappe, no longer a teenager, aiming to lead France to back-to-back titles. The two stars were also teammates at Paris Saint-Germain at the time, adding more fuel to the matchup.
The first half was already eventful. A penalty Di Maria won was converted by Messi, and on the counterattack, Di Maria scored as Argentina went up 2-0.
The second half was a completely different story. With 10 minutes remaining in normal time, France were awarded a penalty, which Mbappe converted. Less than two minutes later, the French superstar scored a volley to tie things up.
Extra time was needed. Messi put Argentina ahead again, but France were awarded another penalty due to a handball. Mbappe converted to complete his hat trick. The game wasn’t over as France had another chance, but Randal Kolo Muani’s shot was saved by Emiliano Martinez at the death.
Martinez continued his heroics, saving Kingsley Coman’s penalty, while Tchouameni shot wide. Argentina capitalized, and Gonzalo Montiel scored to give Argentina its third star.
“Argentina, champions of the world, again, at last,” Peter Drury said as an absolute movie of a match or what may be the greatest World Cup final ever played. France was denied a repeat, and Messi’s legacy was immortalized as he shook hands with paradise.
Banner Images from Lionel Messi on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2022 Argentina vs France final is widely regarded as the greatest World Cup final ever played. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé both scored multiple goals in a match that ended 3-3 after extra time before Argentina won on penalties, completing Messi’s long-awaited World Cup victory.
Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final — converting two penalties and a volley to bring France back from 2-0 down and force extra time. His third goal also leveled the match at 3-3 before Argentina won on penalties, making it one of the most dramatic finals in football history.
The 2006 final between Italy and France is remembered primarily for Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi and receiving a red card in what proved to be the final match of his legendary career. Italy went on to win the penalty shootout 5-3 after David Trezeguet’s effort hit the crossbar and stayed out.
Mario Götze scored the only goal of the 2014 World Cup final, volleying home André Schürrle’s cross in extra time to give Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina. It was Götze’s first touch after coming on as a substitute, securing Germany’s fourth World Cup title at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronaldo’s two-goal performance in the 2002 final against Germany completed one of football’s most celebrated redemption stories. Having suffered a mysterious seizure before the 1998 final — where he played poorly in a 3-0 loss to France — Ronaldo returned four years later at his peak to score both goals in Brazil’s 2-0 victory, winning his first World Cup title.