By Meenketan Jha
The 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup which will be played in Russia is upon us. 32 teams from all over the world will fight to be crowned champions of largest sporting extravaganza the world has ever seen. Over the 21 editions, there have been several memorable performances or incidents that have made each World Cup unique. Individual performances which have captured imaginations, rivalries which have brought fans to the edge of their seats, and even off field incidents that have caused terrible humiliation to a nation.1930 World Cup
Lucien Laurent Scores the First Ever World Cup Goal
Uruguay selected to host the first WC as the country celebrated the centenary of its first constitution. A superpower back then, the South Americans had also won Gold at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. The Uruguayans won the cup as they brushed past Argentina 4-2 in the final.
Lucien Laurent, the French Forward who scored the first ever goal at the WC against Mexico, said: "Back then I couldn't have imagined the significance the goal would have. We didn't even know the WC would last. I remember when I got home, there was just a tiny mention in one of the papers. Football was in its infancy". 1934 World Cup
Italy Taste World Cup Glory with Dictator Benito Mussolini's Support
At the height of his powers, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini would prove critical in Italy's triumph at the second ever WC. FIFA president at the time Jules Rimet remarked, "FIFA are not organizing this tournament, he is."
The Italian leader's imprints were visible in every match the Italians participated in. So obsessed with the idea was Mussolini of Italy lifting the trophy that he picked out match officials for every Azzuri match.
The quarterfinals saw the Italian's rough play force out three Spanish players through injury, while the appointment of Swedish referee Ivan Eklind by the dictator for semis and final saw Italy edge past favorites Austria and then, Czechoslovakia. Foul plays by the Italians were turned a blind eye by Eklind who as per as some match reports intercepted a pass by the Austrians in the semi-finals.1938 World Cup
Italy's Fascist Salutes Angers the Rest of the World
After beating the host nation 3-1 in the quarters, Italy beat Brazil 2-1 in the semi-final before setting up a summit clash with Hungary in the final. The Azzuri, led by Giuseppe Meazza, prevailed beating the Hungarians 4-2. With the World War imminent, the World Cup would be put on hold for 12 years.1950 World Cup
200,000 Witness the Final Between Brazil and Uruguay Live
Brazil took the lead early in the second half, but Uruguay equalised only to take the lead and break 200,000 Brazilian hearts in the stadium as they celebrated being crowned champions for the second time. It is for certain that this record attendance will not be broken in the near future. 1954 World Cup
Bern Witnesses Magic as the Germans beat the All-conquering Hungarians
The WC would be a sweet fairy tale for the Germans who started the tournament in a disastrous fashion as they were annihilated by favorites Hungary led by Ferenc Puskás in the group stage 8-3.
In a final recognized across Germany as The Magic of Bern they went down 2-0 in the first ten minutes. The Germans fought back to equalize soon. The teams were fought for the next hour as no decider emerged until the 84th minute where the Germans scored and completed a miraculous comeback.1958 World Cup
Pele Announces Himself on the Global Stage
Brazil were 2-1 down in the finals against the host until Pele took over the show. An audacious flick over marker followed by a volley leveled proceedings as more was yet to come. A second goal would follow in the dying moments of the game, but by then Brazil were romping home after humbling Sweden 5-2. He became a global phenomenon as fans across the world thousands of miles away recognized and saw his marvelous talents. 1962 World Cup
Italy and Chile Throw Punches in the Battle of Santiago
However, despite his flair and Brazil's heroics, the tournament in Chile was often regarded as toxic. Marred by violence and absurd fouls on the pitch, most notably in the match between the hosts and Italy where Chile would win 2-0, the WC had hit a new low.
In the match between the Azzuri and La Roja, two players were sent-off, numerous punches were thrown, and police intervention was required four times. Interestingly, it was the referee of this match, Ken Aston, who would go onto invent the concept of yellow and red cards.1966 World Cup
Hurst's Ghost Goal Carries England to their First and Only World Cup Win
Having put England into a lead early on, the Moore-led side found themselves facing extra time after scores were tied 2-2 during regulation. The defending champions had twice comeback to equalise, but that would be it as Hurst's 'ghost' goal dampened their spirits to a point of no return. His shot hit the crossbar and bounced down onto the line and was awarded a goal. Fast forward all those years, the debate still rages on if the goal should have been awarded. Hurst would go onto score one more in the dying minutes as England sealed their first and only ever triumph in the cup.1970 World Cup
The Brazilians Take the World by Storm in Colour
The Brazilian team at the 1970 WC is often regarded as the best team to ever play the beautiful game. With Gerson, Jairzinho, Rivellino, and Tostao while being spearheaded by Pele, it was Brazil's destiny to claim the glorious trophy for the third time and become the first team to do so in the process.
The Brazilians routed the Italians 4-1 with fabulous duo of Jairzinho and Pele on the scoresheet along with captain Carlos Alberto and midfield marshal Gerson. The 1970 tournament also wrote its name in history for being the first tournament to be broadcasted in color. The WC attracted a record number of television audiences as the showcase event produced glorious attacking football despite the high temperatures. 1974 World Cup
Johan Cruyff's Total Football Falters in Front of Beckenbauer's Maverick Defense
Netherlands had captured the imaginations of the fans as they cruised to the final crushing Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and East Germany. In the final, the vastly effective Dutch forwards were marked by a defense marshaled by Franz Beckenbauer who neutralized any threats the Netherlands brought as they attacked. West Germany would go onto win the final 2-1 after coming back from a goal down with Gerd Muller scoring the winner.
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