"20 Unforgettable World Cup Moments: From Beckham's Red Card to Gazza's Tears and Diana Ross' Penalty"

WORLD CUP fans have seen upsets, stunning goals and chaotic controversy over the years – and this summer’s tournament will be no different.

Lionel Messi and his Argentina team-mates jetted into North America as the defending champions, thanks to beating France in a in 2022.

Argentina are the defending champions Credit: Getty England chief Thomas Tuchel is gunning for glory Credit: PA

But England chief Thomas Tuchel, who when selecting his 26-man squad, is eyeing glory.

Brazil, Spain and France are also going into the World Cup among the favourites.

And there is likely to be some moments which will live long in the memory regardless of the results on the pitch.

SunSport has taken a look at the top 20 most astonishing moments in previous tournaments.

Diego Maradona’s Hand of God

Argentina great Diego Maradona during a tense quarter-final 40 years ago.

The maverick somehow got away with punching the ball into the net to put the South Americans ahead before scoring one of the greatest goals of all-time (more of that later) as the Three Lions crashed out in a controversial 2-1 loss.

Diego Maradona scored the infamous Hand of God goal in a quarter-final win over England Credit: Getty The Argentine punched the ball beyond Peter Shilton Credit: Getty

Diana Ross’ horror moment

Tournament organisers will be desperate for the opening ceremony to go to plan, unlike the last time the World Cup headed to USA in 1994.

American singer Diana Ross somehow missed a penalty from far fewer than 12 yards in an awkward moment which is still remembered today.

Diana Ross sent her penalty wide during the 1994 opening ceremony Credit: ABC

Bobby Moore lifting Jules Rimet Trophy

Bobby Moore is still the only England skipper to have been crowned a World Cup winner.

The then-West Ham defender was hoisted aloft with the Jules Rimet Trophy in his hand after an extra-time win over West Germany in 1966.

Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy Credit: Getty The defender is still the only England skipper to win the tournament Credit: Alamy

Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick

Moore’s West Ham team-mate Geoff Hurst was the star of the show in 1966 – becoming the first man to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final.

The striker’s second goal came thanks to assistant Tofiq Bahramov, who has a in Baku, insisting the ball had crossed the line after thumping the crossbar.

Geoff Hurst netted a World Cup final hat-trick in 1966 Credit: Getty Tofiq Bahramov insisted the striker’s shot had crossed the line after crashing against the crossbar Credit: AP

Kylian Mbappe’s treble

Hurst remained the only man to notch a World Cup final treble until Kylian Mbappe matched the feat in 2022.

The Frenchman converted two spot-kicks and hit a stunning volley before cruelly losing to Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.

Kylian Mbappe bagged a hat-trick four years ago Credit: Reuters The Frenchman converted two spot-kicks to take the clash to penalties Credit: Getty

Gordon Banks’ wonder save

Goalkeepers at this summer’s tournament will have a tough job beating the save Gordon Banks made to deny Brazilian legend Pele in 1970.

The England No1 managed to claw away the towering header when the ball looked beyond him – and the “save of the century” stop is still talked about today.

Gordon Banks pulled off a wonder save to deny Pele Credit: FIFA The Brazilian was already celebrating before seeing his header diverted away Credit: Reuters

Paul Gascoigne’s tears

Paul Gascoigne was among England’s standout stars at a memorable Italia 90 – but he burst into tears after getting booked against West Germany.

Gazza’s yellow card meant he would have missed the final, only for the Three Lions to lose on penalties.

Paul Gascoigne picked up a yellow card against West Germany Credit: PA:Empics Sport The midfielder broke into tears when he realised he would be banned for the final Credit: Hulton Archive – Getty

Zinedine Zidane sees red

Zinedine Zidane’s trophy-laden career came to an end in shocking circumstances at the 2006 World Cup final.

On his final appearance as a professional, the Frenchman left Italian defender Marco Materazzi in a heap after a , before France lost on penalties.

Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi Credit: AFP Argentine ref Horacio Elizondo gave the World Cup icon his marching orders Credit: AFP

Maradona’s wonder goal

Maradona may have put Argentina ahead with the hugely controversial Hand of God in 1986, but he also produced a moment of magic four minutes later.

The Napoli icon picked the ball up in his own half and went past four England men during a lung-busting run before rounding keeper Peter Shilton and bagging a goal which is still seen as one of the best in history.

Maradona bamboozled England Credit: AFP The legend then went on to win the tournament Credit: Getty

David Beckham kicks out

David Beckham became the England villain when he was sent off for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone during a last-16 clash in 1998.

The then-Manchester United man was when the Three Lions’ dreams went up in tatters thanks to a penalty shoot-out loss.

David Beckham was caught kicking out at Diego Simeone Credit: Getty The winger became public enemy No1 after his red card Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Michael Owen bursts on to scene

Michael Owen went into the 1998 World Cup as the latest teenage sensation – and he lived up to expectations with a wonder goal in a last-16 loss to Argentina.

The striker, who was 18 at the time, broke away from Jose Chamot and left Roberto Ayala for dead before finding the top corner.

Michael Owen scored a sensational goal against Argentina Credit: Getty The striker was a teen sensation in 1998 Credit: Getty

Brazil humiliated on home soil

Brazil have won the World Cup more than any other nation and were also condemned to the biggest shock in the tournament’s history.

They suffered a to Germany – having been five goals down inside 30 minutes – when they were the hosts in 2014.

Germany tormented Brazil in 2014 Credit: Getty Images – Getty David Luiz was emotional after the rout Credit: Rex

Johan Cruyff has Swedes in a spin

Johan Cruyff produced a sensational piece of skill to get away from Sweden defender Jan Olsson in 1974.

The Dutch icon feigned a pass before dragging the ball behind his standing leg in a move now known as the Cruyff Turn.

Johan Cruyff used a stunning piece of skill to get away from Jan Olsson Credit: YouTube The Dutchman is still his country’s poster boy Credit: Corbis

Rivaldo play-acting

Brazilian talisman Rivaldo produced an Oscar-worthy performance to get Hakan Unsal sent off during a group match in 2002.

He went down clutching his face after the Turkish defender belted the ball at his thigh, which led to a second yellow card.

Rivaldo had the ball belted at his thigh by Hakan Unsal Credit: BBC The Brazilian went down clutching his face Credit: Reuters

Messi suffers huge upset

Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history when they came from behind to four years ago.

Salem Al-Dawsari’s second-half stunner turned the contest on its head, although Messi and his team-mates still had the last laugh by winning the tournament.

Salem Al-Dawsari spearheaded Saudi Arabia to victory Credit: PA Lionel Messi and Lisandro Martinez were left in shock Credit: The Times

David Platt’s sensational volley

England were preparing for yet another nervy penalty shoot-out for a place in the Italia 90 quarter-finals before David Platt intervened.

The midfielder converted Gascoigne’s lofted free-kick with an outrageous volley in the final minute of extra-time to leave Belgium heartbroken.

David Platt scored a memorable volley against Belgium Credit: Action Images – Reuters The midfielder booked England’s place in the Italia 90 quarter-finals Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Senegal beat world champions

France went into the 2002 World Cup as the reigning champions and kings of Europe.

But a goal from Papa Bouba Diop, who just 18 years later, allowed Senegal to pick up a statement victory in the opening showdown of the tournament.

Papa Bouba Diop netted from close range against France Credit: Reuters The Senegalese midfielder tragically died in 2020 Credit: PA

Roger Milla’s goal celebration

Roger Milla became a World Cup icon, thanks in no small part to his eye-catching goal celebration.

The Cameroonian striker hilariously danced around the corner flag when he found the net.

Roger Milla was known for his dance moves Credit: Getty The Cameroon striker did a jig when he got on the scoresheet Credit: AFP – Getty

Morocco move into record books

Morocco made history when they became the first African side to reach the World Cup semi-finals four years ago.

They knocked out Spain and a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal before of silverware.

Morocco made history at the last World Cup Credit: Getty Cristiano Ronaldo was knocked out of the competition Credit: Getty

East and West Germany lock horns

East Germany were drawn in the same group as hosts West Germany when they made their only World Cup appearance in 1974.

And the East Germans sealed a shock win against their neighbours thanks to Jurgen Sparwasser’s second half strike.