The 2022 World Cup is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of the biggest event in men’s football, famed for its entertainment, drama and extravagance, than by revelling in the 10 most insane skills to have ever graced its finals?
10. Benjamin Pavard’s goal (2018)
While this isn’t the type of individual trick that can be repeated, Pavard’s goal against Argentina required plenty of skill and technique, side footing the ball on the volley at an angle where it swerved just enough to beat the keeper to the left corner. It’s an unbelievable goal to watch back, just as it was in real time.
9. Zinedine Zidane’s Panenka (2006)
All credit goes to Antonin Panenka, the Czechoslovakian who came up with a novel style of penalty taking. But the original penalty was in the 1976 Euros, and while he did attempt them in the 1982 World Cup, they were not as brave as Zidane’s penalty in the 2006 World Cup final.
One would not expect a Panenka in a big game like this, no less an early penalty, but it is what makes it an effective strategy. Zidane held his nerve, and his effort went in off the crossbar – to some controversy whether it crossed the line.
8. Rivellino’s flip-flap (1970)
Invented by Sergio Echigo, Rivellino learnt the move from him in 1964 and performed it in the 1970 World Cup, perfecting it. Now known as the elastico, it’s used to fool the defensive player into thinking that the attacker is moving in the opposite direction.
By using the stronger foot, you can move it in one direction, before whipping it back using the inside of the foot. It’s now been done by a host of players, including Ronaldinho, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Video: Rivellino produces the flip-flap in 1970 World Cup final
7. Klaus Fischer’s overhead kick (1982)
Most of the iconic overhead kicks have rarely come in World Cup games, but one such was scored by Klaus Fischer in 1982, a stunning effort from close range into the top right corner. It was the equalizer in the semi-final against France, which West Germany ended up winning on penalties.
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6. Cuauhtemoc Blanco (1998)
One of the great Mexican footballers of all time, Blanco was also known for the Cuauhtemiña – the Blanco trick – which he pulled off in the 1998 World Cup.
With two South Korean defenders closing down on him, he trapped the ball between his feet and jumped through the defenders. As he got through the gap, he released the ball, carrying it through the opposition. It’s practical, if not always successful.
5. Pele’s runaround move (1970)
In the semi-final against Uruguay, Brazilian legend Pele pulled off one of the great misses of all time.
Receiving a through ball from Tostao, Pele found himself unmarked and ran through on goal. Keeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz elected to come forward to stop him, but rather than trapping the ball, Pele let it run, thus fooling his opponent by going to the keeper’s right, when he expected him to run with the ball to his left.
He then circled the keeper to score but turned too much while shooting and the ball just missed the far post. But it was an outrageously bold decision to attempt it in the first place.
Video: Pele’s dummy for the ages at Mexico 1970
4. Ricardo Quaresma’s trivela (2018)
The mercurial Portuguese winger never quite reached the levels expected of him, but after missing out on 2014, he made his mark on 2018 with his trademark trivela. It’s a move that everyone saw coming, but it didn’t make it any less spectacular.
Playing a one-two with Adrien Silva, he cut in and struck the ball with the outside of his right foot into the top left corner. It was a stunning piece of technique.
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3. Ilhan Mansiz’s rainbow flick (2002)
Turkey’s journey was ended in the semi-final by Brazil, but Ilhan Mansiz still left his mark on the game. His rainbow flick – where he flicked the ball over his head and marker – forced legendary full-back Roberto Carlos to concede a foul on him.
That’s enough evidence of the effectiveness of the skill when done right.
Video: Robert Carlos caught off guard by cheeky rainbow flick
2. Diego Maradona (1986)
Fresh off from the ‘Hand of God’, Maradona’s second goal against England instantly became one of the greatest of all time.
Picking the ball up in his own half, he dribbled towards goal, he weaved in and out of defenders, as though the ball was a magnet onto his foot. The Englishmen were simply unable to dispossess the Argentinian. Eventually, he was able to get to the ‘keeper, round him and then score. Peerless.
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1. The Cruyff Turn (1974)
It’s one of the most famous skills of all time, by one of the most famous footballers of all time. Which explains why it was named after him.
It happened against Sweden in the first round, as Cruyff received the ball on the left side of the pitch from a long ball. He brought it down with his left foot, and defender Jan Olsson jockeyed well initially.
Cruyff looked to go right, but then was forced to turn his back on goal. But the Dutchman turned around, looked like he was going to pass it to the right, then faked and dragged the ball with his right foot under his left, sending Olsson the wrong way.
Cruyff was off, sending a cross into the box that wasn’t converted. But that was a sensational moment of magic. It’s held in such high esteem that it’ll still tried by players – to varying degrees of success.
Video: Cruyff’s legendary turn at the 1974 World Cup
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