Ranking all 83 goals scored in World Cup finals
From Geoff Hurst's clincher to Pele's masterpiece and Gotze's volley, Adam Hurrey assesses every goal ever scored in football's biggest game.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Author: Indalécio Wanderley for O Cruzeiro/EM/D.A Press
A total of 83 goals have been scored in World Cup finals. Adam Hurrey has undertaken the definitive task of ranking every single one, cataloging them from the most forgettable errors to the most legendary moments in the sport's history.
The statistics behind these moments are revealing: 64 different players have scored, with 47 goals coming from the right foot, 23 from the left, 12 headers, eight penalties, and one solitary own goal.
Top of the list is Pele's stunning 1958 goal against Sweden. The 17-year-old's ability to chest the ball, flick it over a defender, and volley home remains, according to Hurrey, the absolute peak of World Cup final artistry.
Other highlights include Carlos Alberto's iconic team goal from 1970, frequently cited as the ultimate team effort, and Andres Iniesta's 2010 extra-time winner which secured Spain's inaugural title.
At the bottom of the pile sit the less graceful moments, including Mario Mandzukic's own goal in 2018, which marks the nadir of World Cup final goalscoring at position 83.