The five greatest World Cup finals of all time, and where Sunday could rank

Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium arrives carrying the weight of everything this tournament has been: controversies, upsets, heartbreaks, historic performances and one 39-year-old who refuses to stop.

It also arrives with a genuine claim to being the greatest final in the tournament’s history before a ball is kicked, given the protagonists involved.

Here, as context for what comes next, are the five greatest finals the World Cup has ever produced.

5. Argentina 3-2 West Germany – 1986

Diego Maradona did not score in the final but was everywhere on the pitch, pulling defenders out of position and creating space for teammates. West Germany came back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 before Jorge Burruchaga scored a brilliant winner in the 83rd minute.

A comeback, a lead restored, a classic finish. The tournament belonged to Maradona. The final confirmed it.

4. West Germany 3-2 Hungary – 1954

The Miracle of Bern. Hungary had not lost in four years, had beaten West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, and led 2-0 after eight minutes. West Germany scored twice before half-time, then Helmut Rahn scored the winner with six minutes remaining.

To this day it remains one of sport’s greatest upsets, the foundation stone on which modern German football was built.

3. Italy 1-1 France (AET, Italy win on penalties) – 2006

Few World Cup finals have ever been as dramatic as this. Italy won on penalties after a 1-1 draw, but the game is best remembered for two moments: Zidane’s audacious Panenka penalty and, his extraordinary headbutt on Marco Materazzi that earned a straight red card.

It also ended one of football’s greatest careers in the most surreal fashion imaginable. A 1-1 draw that somehow produced one of sport’s most enduring images.

2. Brazil 2-0 Germany – 2002

Ronaldo’s redemption story is one of football’s most powerful narratives. Four years after collapsing before the 1998 final and producing a dismal performance, he walked out in Yokohama and scored twice in a 2-0 win: both goals calm, composed and entirely decisive.

It capped a tournament in which Ronaldo won the Golden Boot, and Brazil secured their record fifth World Cup title. Had this list been written before 2022, this final would have sat top.

1. Argentina 3-3 France (AET, Argentina win on penalties) – 2022

The greatest final of the 21st century before Sunday. Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the final 15 minutes of normal and extra time to turn a 2-0 deficit into 3-3, only for Argentina to hold their nerve in the penalty shootout.

Messi scored twice, including a penalty in the shootout. Gonzalo Montiel hit the winning spot-kick. Every emotion football can produce occurred within 120 minutes.

The World Cup 2026 final – Where could it rank?

Argentina vs Spain has every ingredient to sit alongside 2022 at the top. Messi chasing a second consecutive title at 39. Spain’s emerging generation against the world’s most resilient knockout team.

A nation that has conceded one goal against a side that has come back from behind in four consecutive knockout games. If the football matches the occasion, Sunday could be the greatest final ever played. It has all the pieces. Now it needs 90 minutes to prove it.