She scored 184 international goals in 255 appearances — more than any player, male or female, in football history at the time of her retirement. Nearly a third came with her head.

In the 122nd minute of a Women's World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, with the United States down to ten players and seconds from elimination, Abby Wambach rose above everyone and changed football history. FIFA later voted it the greatest goal in Women's World Cup history.

She won two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup, and became one of the defining figures of the modern game. But it took four World Cups, years of heartbreak, and one unforgettable header before she finally lifted the trophy she wanted most.

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He grew up in western Sydney dreaming of Liverpool. At sixteen, Leeds United signed him from Australia and he became one of the most exciting young players in Europe. He helped lead Leeds to the Champions League semi-finals, then chose Liverpool over Chelsea and Manchester United because it was the club he had supported as a boy.

Injuries haunted the biggest moments of his career, forcing him off in three consecutive major finals. Yet he still lifted the Champions League trophy in Istanbul and later scored the goal that helped send Australia to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in history.

In 2012, Australian fans voted Harry Kewell their greatest ever player.

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Argentina eliminated Brazil despite Diego Maradona failing to score. The Republic of Ireland reached the quarter-finals after drawing every match they played. Roger Milla punished René Higuita's most famous mistake when the Colombian goalkeeper dribbled out of his area and lost the ball.

Then came the image that defined Italia '90. Paul Gascoigne received a yellow card in the semi-final. Knowing it would rule him out of the World Cup Final, his face crumpled and millions watched him cry.

West Germany defeated Argentina in the final with a controversial late penalty. The most emotional World Cup of the modern era ended with one of the most unpopular finals in history.

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A tenor aria became the soundtrack of a World Cup and changed football broadcasting forever. Luciano Pavarotti's performance of Nessun Dorma turned Italia '90 into something larger than sport.

On the pitch, Cameroon stunned defending champions Argentina in the opening match. Roger Milla was thirty-eight years old, semi-retired, and only returned after a personal appeal from Cameroon's president. Costa Rica shocked Scotland and Sweden lost all three group matches by the same score. The Republic of Ireland drew every game and still qualified.

This was the beginning of the most memorable World Cup of the modern era.

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Italy have won the FIFA World Cup four times and remain one of only three nations to win it in consecutive tournaments. They produced legends such as Meazza, Rossi, Baggio, Maldini, Cannavaro, Pirlo, Buffon, and Totti. In 2021 they became European champions and set a world record by going thirty-seven matches unbeaten.

Yet they also failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cups. From football's greatest dynasty to one of its most puzzling declines, this is the story of Italy — Gli Azzurri.

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Argentina were 2–0 ahead in the World Cup Final.

With ten minutes remaining, Diego Maradona appeared moments away from completing one of the greatest tournaments ever played by an individual footballer.

Then West Germany fought back.

Two goals in six minutes.

2–2.

The momentum had shifted. Extra time seemed inevitable.

But Maradona had one more moment left.

Receiving the ball deep inside his own half, he threaded a pass through the German defence. Jorge Burruchaga ran onto it and scored. Argentina led 3–2.

The goal won the World Cup.

Earlier, France had defeated Belgium 4–2 in one of the finest third-place matches in tournament history. But the story of Mexico 1986 belonged to one man.

At twenty-five years old, Diego Maradona stood on top of the football world.

Then came everything that followed.

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The 1986 World Cup produced great matches long before Argentina met England.

Belgium eliminated the Soviet Union in one of the tournament's most dramatic games. Denmark arrived as one of the favourites, led Spain 1–0, and then collapsed to a 5–1 defeat. Italy's reign as world champions ended against France.

Then came the match everyone remembers.

Argentina versus England.

In the second half, Diego Maradona rose with goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. The goal stood. Afterwards, Maradona famously described it as being scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."

Four minutes later he collected the ball inside his own half, dribbled past half the England team, and scored what many consider the greatest goal in football history.

Two goals.

Four minutes apart.

One controversial, one magnificent.

Together they created football's most enduring legend.

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Before he became the most famous footballer on Earth, he was a boy from Villa Fiorito.

A child growing up in a Buenos Aires shantytown without running water or reliable electricity. On his third birthday he received a football and slept with it tucked beneath his shirt because he feared it might be stolen.

His name was Diego Maradona.

As the 1986 World Cup began, the tournament was already producing remarkable stories. The Soviet Union defeated Hungary 6–0. Denmark dismantled Uruguay 6–1 and looked unstoppable. Morocco became the first African nation to top a World Cup group.

Then tragedy struck when Scotland manager Jock Stein collapsed and died on the touchline after his team secured a place in the playoffs.

The stage was set for one of the most extraordinary World Cups in football history.

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