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World Cup 2010 on RTÉ

Brazil's Beautiful Game

One of Brazil's greatest ever teams were 3-1 up against Italy and cruising in the 1970 World Cup final.

Haiti Horror

Few realise that Madonna’s 1986 worldwide hit ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ was a diatribe against the team-talks of Haitian despot Papa Doc Duvalier at the 1974 World Cup. 1. Madge already has North Korean nice guy Kim Jong-il firmly in her sights this time around as she favours an expansive appro

Baggio's Penalty Miss

The 1994 World Cup final in Los Angeles was a tepid affair and the outcome was only going to be decided one way.

Maradona Magic

Diego Armando Maradona has been called many things - a cheat, a criminal, and the most talented footballer the world has ever seen.

Salvadorean Shocker

‘Guv’nor, we was robbed!’

Argentina's Unjust Reward

We’re choosing to turn a blind eye - just as the authorities did - to Argentina’s remarkably easy 6-0 win against Peru to reach the final. Brazil, denied a place in the final against the Netherlands due to Argentina’s facile victory, and the Argentinian people were arguably those that suf

Algeria Stitched Up

Was it another case of 'we were only following orders' in Gijón. Even the German people refer to the ‘competitive’ fixture as Nichtangriffspakt von Gijón (Non-aggression pact of Gijón) or Schande von Gijón (Shame of Gijón).

Banks Saves From Pele

The England custodian's agility denied the world's greatest player a certain goal.

The Hand of God

Diego Maradona, responsible for some of the most impressive goals in World Cup history, also scored on of the most infamous.

Wembley Confusion

Debate has raged for years over England's second goal against Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

Sad Finale for Zidane

Zinedine Zidane had done so much to drag what was considered an average French outfit to the finals of World Cup 2006.

Kuwait Pressure Pays Off

Soviet referee Miroslav Stupar got flustered in the face of an angry contingent of irked Kuwaitis.

New Balls Please

The first World Cup final descended into a ‘Battle of the Balls’ in Montevideo.

A Little Island Called Saipan

Who can forget Tommie ‘what about the children’ Gorman’s interview with a defiant Roy Keane?

Schumacher's 'tackle' on Battiston

France, led by Michel Platini, took on the notoriously tough-tackling West Germany in the 1982 semi-final.

The Battle of Santiago

The BBC’s David Coleman was never given to hyperbole, but the legendary commentator described the Chile v Italy encounter as 'the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.'

Klinsmann's 'Dive'

Theatrics of a sort was on view at the 1990 World Cup final.

Zico's Goal That Never Stood

Brazil and Sweden's first game of the 1978 tournament was level at a goal apiece with seconds left before full time.

Ghana

Will The Black Stars shine in South Africa?

Chile

Finish a point behind Brazil in qualifying.

Paraguay

A solid qualifying campaign that saw the Paraguayans win 10 matches has them in rude health ahead of the finals.

Brazil

The aristocrats of world football are looking for a sixth victory.

North Korea

Will need to repeat the heroics of 1966.

Spain

Favourites in the eyes of many to lift the trophy on 11 July.