Top 10 Most Memorable Matches from This Summer's World Cup

This summer's World Cup delivered an abundance of exciting games and edge-of-the-seat moments. Picking just one match as the tournament’s standout is a daunting task.

Here’s a ranking of the 10 best matches, leading up to the eagerly awaited final between Spain and Argentina:

10. Paraguay 1, Germany 1 (4-3 on penalties) | Round of 32, June 29

Paraguay stunned the football world by holding powerhouse Germany to a 1-1 draw and then winning in a tense penalty shootout. Their disciplined defense and smart counterattacks frustrated Germany despite the European side dominating possession. A late goal by Jonathan Tah was ruled out after VAR review, pushing the game to penalties where goalkeeper Orlando Gill became the hero, saving two attempts.

9. Morocco 1, Netherlands 1 (3-2 on penalties) | Round of 32, June 29

This clash felt more like a quarterfinal. Cody Gakpo’s emotional opener for the Netherlands was nearly the winner until Morocco’s Issa Diop headed in a last-minute equalizer. Extra time saw remarkable saves from Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen, but Morocco ultimately triumphed in a shootout marked by several misses.

8. Spain 2, France 0 | Semifinals, July 14

Spain dismantled the favored French team with a masterclass in possession and pressing. The French attack, led by Mbappe and Dembele, was effectively silenced, not managing a shot on goal until deep into the second half. This victory echoed Spain's recent dominance over France in major tournaments and ended France's hopes on the biggest stage.

7. Cape Verde 0, Spain 0 | Group Stage, June 15

Making their World Cup debut, Cape Verde shocked many by holding reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw. Despite Spain’s 27 shots, goalkeeper Vozinha’s inspired performance kept his team in the game. Spain introduced young talent Lamine Yamal to try breaking through, but Cape Verde held firm, earning their first-ever World Cup point.

6. Belgium 3, Senegal 2 | Round of 32, July 1

Belgium staged an unlikely comeback from two goals down late in regulation. Romelu Lukaku started the revival, followed by Youri Tielemans’ equalizer. After a long VAR check, Tielemans scored the winning penalty deep into extra time. Senegal’s late collapse mirrored struggles faced by other African teams, as most failed to progress beyond this round.

5. Argentina 2, England 1 | Semifinals, July 15

England coach Thomas Tuchel made a puzzling choice to prioritize defense late in the match rather than maintain attacking pressure. This shift drained England’s momentum, allowing Argentina to seize control. Enzo Fernandez’s long-range equalizer and Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time header, both assisted by Lionel Messi, sealed Argentina’s place in the final.

4. Portugal 2, Croatia 1 | Round of 32, July 2

Anticipation surrounded the possibility that veterans Luca Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing their final World Cup match. The closing moments were dramatic, with Croatia’s Joško Gvardiol appearing to score a last-gasp equalizer. However, modern technology showed an imperceptible offside touch, overturning the goal and ending Croatia’s run.

3. Argentina 3, Egypt 2 | Round of 16, July 7

Egypt held a 2-0 lead deep into the second half, close to reaching their first quarterfinal, before Argentina mounted a stunning comeback. Messi sparked the revival with a perfect assist and a goal, while Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time header completed the turnaround. Egypt's coach expressed frustration over refereeing decisions that seemed to favor Argentina.

2. England 3, Mexico 2 | Round of 16, July 5

England overcame Mexico at the intimidating Estadio Azteca, where Mexico had an exceptional home record. Jude Bellingham scored twice early, and although Mexico fought back, England held on despite a red card and intense pressure. Harry Kane’s penalty and strong defense secured the win, prompting English fans to hope for more success ahead.

1. Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2 | Round of 32, July 3

Cape Verde, a World Cup newcomer with a tiny population, went toe-to-toe with defending champions Argentina. Twice Argentina took the lead, only for Cape Verde to respond with spirited goals, including a stunning curling shot by Sidny Lopes Cabral. Although Argentina eventually won in extra time, Cape Verde earned global respect for their fearless performance.