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The inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament was hosted in Uruguay 90 years ago and over the last nine decades, football's showpiece has grown to become one of the most popular sporting events in the world.
There has been eight different winners of football's most coveted prize with France the defending champions following their victory in Russia two years ago.
Over this time period, there has been a plethora of memorable goals: from Pele's iconic strike in 1958 World Cup final to Benjamin Pavard's stunning effort at the latest World Cup. That said,
Betway took on the enviable task of picking the top five greatest FIFA World Cup goals:
5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands vs Uruguay, 2010)
The former Netherlands captain was not a prolific goal scorer by any means, he only scored six goals in 106 appearances for the the
Oranje, but he did choose his moments and couldn't have chosen a bigger occasion than the World Cup semi-finals.
The former Barcelona left-back received the ball inside the Uruguay half and with nothing on, he let rip from WAY out. The Jabulani ball was notorious for moving in the air, but the Dutchman's strike arrowed into the top corner of the net. Unfortunately for him, the Netherlands would come up short in a World Cup final once more - this time to Spain.
4. Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina vs Mexico, 2006)
Argentina are no strangers to cracking World Cup goals and Rodriguez saved his best international goal for the global stage.
With the scores tied at 1-1 in extra-time, it was going to take something special to break the deadlock. Up step Rodriguez who controlled the ball with his chest before thumping an unstoppable volley into the back of the net from the edge of the area. A superb goal by a super player as Argentina marched onto the quarter-finals only to lose on penalties to regular adversaries and 2006 World Cup hosts, Germany.
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3. Carlos Alberto (Brazil vs Italy, 1970)
Everything about this goal screams Brazil. Seleção completely outclassed Italy in the 1970 World Cup final and with arguably the greatest team ever assembled, the South Americans marched to a third title with a rampant 4-1 win.
The build up to the goal starts well within Brazil's own half where Clodoaldo took the ball past four players. The ball eventually finds Jairzinho who cuts in field before passing to Pele. The Brazilian great waits for Alberto, who was flying down the right flank, before caressing the ball into his captain's path who then hits his first time shot into the back of the net. Iconic.
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2. Manuel Negrete (Mexico vs Bulgaria, 1986)
In the first of two great goals scored at the 1986 showpiece in Mexico included on our list, Negrete sent the home fans into absolute delirium with a goal for the ages as
El Tri booked their quarter-final ticket.
The midfielder received the ball on the edge of the area and controlled it with two touches before laying the ball off for a one-two. Negrete got the ball back in the air and without a moments hesitation he launched himself off the ground and proceeded to hit a left-tooted scissor-kick first time past the Bulgarian goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
1. Diego Maradona (Argentina vs England, 1986)
The greatest goal in World Cup history and arguably ever came just moments after one of the tournament's most infamous moments. England were still recovering from the 'Hand of God' when Maradona embarked on a run that would end in of the game's most iconic goals - for all the right reasons.
The Argentine skipper picked the ball up in his own half, tricked his way past two England defenders, dribbled past another AND ANOTHER before shaping to shoot with his left foot. Instead, he took an extra touch past the great Peter Shilton before passing the ball into an empty net. A historic goal by one of the best to play the beautiful game. Argentina would win the game 2-1 and the tournament following a 3-2 victory over Germany in the final at the Estadio Azteca.
Honourable Mentions: Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands vs Argentina, 1998), Pele (Brazil vs Sweden, 1958), Saaed Al-Owairan (Saudi Arabia vs Belgium, 1994), James Rodriguez (Colombia vs Uruguay, 2014), Micheal Owen (England vs Argentina, 1998), Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina vs Serbia & Montenegro, 2006).
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