Favourite World Cup?

[FoxyPV]

The first one I remember watching was Italia '90 and Packie Bonner saving the penalty to sen Ireland through.

USA '94 was the first one that I remember most of the matches. It had the highs and lows - Ray Houghton scoring for us to beat the Italians then the spanking that was the Netherlands in the knockouts. Terry Phelan trying to head the ball back to Bonner from the halfway line

'02 in Japan / South Korea when Robbie Keane scored in the last minute to draw with Germany was brilliant. I was in my gf's house, pissed, and when he scored,Itook my top off (then 18 st) and ran around her house waving it above my head. The real Ronaldo taking Germany apart in the final was special.

Of all the rest of them '98 was pretty special.

That goal from Bergkamp

[Carl the Llama]

That goal from Bergkamp

DENNIS BERGKAMP DENNIS BERGKAMP DENNIS BERGKAMP

[Trav Le Bleu]

Without a doubt Argentina 78 is by far my favourite, my first world cup I watched can still remember the theme tune, despite England not being there I loved the whole tournament, the Scots has a decent team at the time and were entertaining in many ways, I think they played Iran, and Peru struggled in these games then played brilliantly against the Dutch Archie Gemmill what a goal!!!!!!!!! The Dutch were an amazing tean as well, but Argentina deserving winners. Great world cup.

Pretty much this.

[Kitchandro]

DENNIS BERGKAMP DENNIS BERGKAMP DENNIS BERGKAMP

Best. Commentary. Ever.

As for the goal, it was great, but I like this one from Hans Krankl even more.

Most underrated goal I've ever seen.

Along with this

[Alf Bentley]

1. Germany 2006, because I was there for a week, attended 4 matches, and spent the rest of the time travelling around the country watching countless other matches on big screens in fan zones, meeting all sorts of crazy people and barely sobering up all week.

2. Argentina 1978, because I remember it as being the tournament with the most consistently high quality and greatest number of truly competitive matches and great teams...and even a decent final (Argentina, Holland, Brazil, Italy....even Poland, Peru and France were great - and France didn't get out of their group of death); countless 30m banana shots, team goals, the Scotland rollercoaster, amazing Argentine ticker-tape...and the TV theme music (best ever).

3) Italia 1990, for the experience of a half-decent England team going close to true success...and Ireland getting to the quarters into the bargain; also, the crazy experience of watching all the matches in the middle of the night in a hostel on the other side of the world (Sydney), while still trying to hold down a dayjob...the crazy days of (comparative) youth....

[rico]

Italia 90,was on holiday in Rhodes for 2 weeks when we made the semis,great atmosphere and all the bars were buzzing

[leicsmac]

Yeah, he mentioned the Peruvians throwing their match & the Argentinians delaying coming out onto the pitch in the final.

Before my time of course, but I've read a fair bit about this. The regime in charge of Argentina at the time simply HAD to win the World Cup to distract from problems at home, so the junta in charge helped make it happen, with a little help from some very talented Argentine players of course. Was a bit of a shame really because that Dutch side (from what I've read/been told) was one of the most talented ever.

I remember reading a "What If?" thing where Argentina didn't win the World Cup that year. Shortly after, the regime collapsed due to revolution, and the Falklands were never invaded. That had a big knock-on effect over here too.

Anyway, back on topic my favourite WC was probably Germany 2006. Was in uni at the time and got to see pretty much all of the games with my friends...there were some crackers in there. Still remember Lahm's(?) piledriver to start the scoring off in the first game aganist Costa Rica. Once England went out (thanks both to Rooney's stupidity and Ronaldo being a winker/willy puller) I really wanted Germany to win it, but it was quite nice to see an Italy-France final. And then of course there was the Zidane headbutt.

[Guest MattP]

Before my time of course, but I've read a fair bit about this. The regime in charge of Argentina at the time simply HAD to win the World Cup to distract from problems at home, so the junta in charge helped make it happen, with a little help from some very talented Argentine players of course. Was a bit of a shame really because that Dutch side (from what I've read/been told) was one of the most talented ever.

The Dutch lost fair and square to the Argies in the final though didn't they?

[leicsmac]

The Dutch lost fair and square to the Argies in the final though didn't they?

Yeah, the big thing was the Peru match (and possibly the double-group format which seemed ripe for getting whatever teams were designated into the final with little risk).

In the final the Argentines left the Dutch standing on the pitch for a few minutes to get abuse from the crowd, and they made a noise about a Dutch player who was wearing a cast even though it'd never been a problem before (the guy didn't play in the end) but that was just gamesmanship, not cheating. Kempes (by all accounts) was on fire that day, as were the rest of the Argentines.

It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if they HAD lost, though.

[Father Ted]

Every WC is my favourite but i'm selfish and will say '06 and '10 were extra special cos the 'roos were in it.

2006 was great seeing Australia not only in the WC but play pretty well and go close to beating Italy in the round of 16 who went on to win it. Also they played very well in a loss to Brazil in the group stage.

2010 was brilliant as i was there and with a good group of mates in a country i never thought i would ever go to. Results on the pitch weren't as good but did beat the Serbs (Sure you love that match too Father Ted)

I knew you would mention that! I'll never forgot the 1-0 victory over Germany though, our group was a mess.

Not old enough to remember too far back, can only vaguely remember France '98 but like the OP, I've watched most on ESPN classic and for me Italia '90 stands out the most.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

I knew you would mention that! I'll never forgot the 1-0 victory over Germany though, our group was a mess.

Not old enough to remember too far back, can only vaguely remember France '98 but like the OP, I've watched most on ESPN classic and for me Italia '90 stands out the most.

You're welcome mate, yeah i think going in to the last match any of the 4 teams could of qualified. Harry Kewells read card against ghana killed us and our poor goal difference.

[Webbo]

I have vague memories of 74 but 78 the first I can really remember. Genuinely wanted Scotland to do well (but not win it), I missed the Scotland Holland game as my dad went down the pub to see it and my mam wouldn't put it on the telly.

82 and 86 we were a little bit of luck away from making the semis but 90 must be the greatest, beaten on penalties by the Germans when we were arguably the better side. we'd have played one of the worse teams ever to make the final, Argentina , and we really owed them one.

[Guest Bilo]

I have vague memories of 74 but 78 the first I can really remember. Genuinely wanted Scotland to do well (but not win it), I missed the Scotland Holland game as my dad went down the pub to see it and my mam wouldn't put it on the telly.

82 and 86 we were a little bit of luck away from making the semis but 90 must be the greatest, beaten on penalties by the Germans when we were arguably the better side. we'd have played one of the worse teams ever to make the final, Argentina , and we really owed them one.

Very true.

How different the recent history of the English national team could have been had that penalty shootout been won.

I think they'd have beaten a mediocre Argentine side in the final, and there'd have been no fear of penalty shoot-outs after that. Had England picked up a German aptitude for penalties; Euro 96, France 98, Euro 2004 and Germany 2006 could have been very different.

I have no doubt England would have won Italia 90 had they won the penalty shootout and possibly a tournament or two besides.