The moment that we have all been waiting for unfolded on June 11, 2010 at the Soccer City Stadium in South Africa – The FIFA 2010 World Cup!

It is a special feeling that electrifies only fans and true lovers of the beautiful game causing their memories to flashback, relive and savor their respective World Cup moments that has lingered forever, in great expectation of what is about to manifest.

1.Spain 1982: The Elimination of Brazil by Italy

I was just a teenager then, and for us, Brazil was the god of soccer and players like Socrates, Falcao, Zico and Elder were its angels on earth. It was absolutely inconceivable that they could be beaten. But then it happened! An unknown Italian player called Paulo Rossi came from nowhere to score the hat trick that ousted Brazil in the second round of the World Cup.

It was a shock that reverberated around the whole world, and for me, the World Cup ended with the exit of Brazil. I can still feel the shock inside me even now.

2.Mexico 1986: Maradona’s Second Goal Against England

I still remember this goal as if it happened yesterday. It was the quarter-final match between England and Argentina and Diego Armando Maradona, the 25 year old Captain of the Argentina squad, dribbled swiftly with only his left foot past six England players to put the ball in the net. Argentina won 2 – 1 and went on to win the World Cup for the second time.

In 2002, that goal by Maradona was voted by football fans across the world as the goal of the century, and arguably, catapulted Maradona to the king of football status.

3.Italy 1990: The Mystery of Roger Miller, the 38 year old footballer

This Cameroonian striker was the oldest player at ”Italia 90” and despite playing as a substitute in all of Cameroon’s tournaments, he managed to scored four vital goals that got Cameroon into the quarter-finals, the highest achievement by an African team in the World Cup (which was later equaled by Senegal twelve years later in the 2002 World Cup).

Roger Miller’s macosa jubilation dance after each of his goal is a World Cup moment that forever lingers.

4.U.S.A 1994: Andreas Escobar’s Own Goal and Death

This lingers like a horror movie in my mind. Andreas Escobar, the Colombian defender mistakenly kicked the ball into the Colombian net in the first round match against America thus giving victory to America by 2 – 1. Columbia was eliminated and Andreas Escobar returned home with the rest of his team mates only to be murdered few days later.

For the first time, it dawned on me that the World Cup is a double – edged sword dripping with emotions as no one wants to lose.

What are your own World Cup unforgettables? If you are already caught in World Cup fever like I am, kindly share them with us in your respective comments on this piece. The World Cup happens once every four years, so let us relish the World Cup moments to the best of our existence.

Author Bio: Tim Long is a 40 yr old Briton, medical laboratory technologist and has been living in the West African tropics for the past 7 years. He has a deep passion for writing on all topics of human endeavor and general interest. My Site

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