8) I think 1990 was when the diving became really prominent. ibid. Danny Mills
7) In 1990 one man played his way into the hearts of the nation ... We watched a grown man lose the plot. [Gascoine’s tears] ibid.
6) The 1998 final between France and Brazil ... He [Ronaldo] was expected to light up the final but when he and his team were nowhere to be seen Motty went into breakdown ... Ronaldo played and his Brazil team had a shocker. ibid.
5) In 2006 England had a chance of winning the World Cup. His name was Wayne Rooney … He tried to squash Calvalho’s tender parts ... Ronaldo had betrayed and sent England out. ibid.
I think there’s every chance that Wayne Rooney could go back to the Man United training ground and stick one on Ronaldo. ibid. Alan Shearer
4) Germany v Holland 1990: Rijaard came back with a spit. ibid.
3) The Hand of God. ibid.
Was it the use of the hand that England were complaining at? ibid. Barry Davies, television commentator
2) In the summer of 1998 one man stood out above all others as the most hated in England ... He became public enemy number one ... Simeone attempted a one-man spit-roast on David Beckham; he responded ... with a girly flick of his leg. ibid.
Mansfield Road Baptist Church: God Forgives Even David Beckham. ibid. sign outside church
1) It was the evening of July 9th 2006 ... This was the World Cup final between France and Italy ... The match was the grand stage for Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest footballers ever, to take his final bow. Zidane scored an audacious penalty. And then with the scores level at 1-1 came a moment so shocking the powers that be won’t even let us show it ... Zidane did the ultimate walk of shame. ibid.
The bits they missed: Shumacher’s foul; Chile v Argentina 1966; Pele taken out of the World Cup with repeated fouling; Kuwaiti team walks off … esias
20) One of the most famous political victories FIFA in World Cup history. Back in 1998 relationships between the governments of United States and Iran were rather strained. Top 20 FIFA World Cup Moments
19) It’s not easy being a referee ... Kuwaiti Sheikh walked on to the field of play to protest against a goal scored. ibid.
18) There is no doubt that David Beckham is one of the most recognisable and gifted footballers of his generation. In 1998 in France Beckham secured England’s pass to the second round scoring with a tremendous free kick from long range. ibid.
17) The golden goal was an innovation aimed at getting teams to attack ... Laurent Blanc became the first player to score a FIFA golden goal in a World Cup. ibid.
16) Long-range shots ... Arie Haan. ibid.
15) France v Senegal ... This was to be one of the shocks of the FIFA World Cup. ibid.
14) South Korea ... began the competition as outsiders to qualify from their group ... exceeded all expectations. ibid.
13) Pele’s treatment in 1966 ... Yet perhaps the most controversial moments came in the final of the 1966 tournament. ibid.
12) England’s Michael Owen was just 18 when he went to the 1998 World Cup. Yet he dazzled the football world with his self-assurance and maturity. Owen became the teenage sensation of the tournament in France. ibid.
11) In 1966 North Korea became the first team from Asia to make an impression ... One goal proved enough [against Italy] ibid.
10) As hosts in 1990 Italy were keen to impress. ibid.
9) By the time Cameroon featured in 1992 the game on that continent was developing fast. ibid.
8) The Dutch remain one of the best teams never to have won the World Cup. ibid.
7) Deliberate handball ... Maradona punched the ball into the net. ibid.
6) Players and supporters all want to express themselves ... Tardelli had the look of a man gripped with ecstasy and relief. ibid.
5) Widely regarded as the greatest ever to have played the beautiful game Pele is the complete player. ibid.
4) Pele: at the tender age of 17 a year after winning his first cap Pele made the Brazil squad for the 1958 finals in Sweden. It was here that he burst on to the scene scoring six goals in three games. ibid.
3) Great saves are just as vital as great goals ... The tournament in Mexico produced many fine moments, including arguably the greatest save [Banks] in World Cup history. ibid.
2) The 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico saw samba-style soccer at its best ... The best team goal the tournament has ever produced. ibid.
1) Diego Maradona. ibid.
A decade of magnificent teams, mesmerising players, and madness. The 1990s was the decade that saw football go supernova. 90s Greatest: Football Moments, National Geographic 2014