| World cup history will always be determined by the | | | | that surprising ! Ireland were also emerging under |
| era that you first enjoyed the game of soccer but | | | | Jack Charlton as they beat Romania on penalties but |
| world cup video clips and goals are a great way of | | | | went out to the host nation Italy in the next |
| looking at the history of the world cup and applauding | | | | round.English hearts were broken in the semi final as |
| some soccer legendsThis is a hot debate among | | | | they went out on penalties to West Germany who |
| soccer fans who all have their own World Cup | | | | then went to win the world cup by defeating |
| memories and often ask each other " What was the | | | | Argentina in a drab affair as Brehme scored from the |
| best world cup ever ? " . There is no correct answer | | | | spot to clinch victory.World Cup France 1998The host |
| as it probably depends on your age and the team | | | | nation will be legends as they defeated Brazil 3-0 in a |
| you support ?Let's have a look at some recent | | | | one side final which will be remembered for the |
| candidates.World Cup Spain 1982 I have some | | | | mysterious incidents involving Ronaldo and his inclusion |
| fantastic memories from Espana 1982 World Cup , I | | | | in the Brazil team for the final.I was lucky enough to |
| was only 8 years old at the time and just starting to | | | | attend the 1998 World Cup but unfortunately picked |
| get the football bug ! Brazil had a superb team with | | | | the wrong game as Scotland went down 3-0 to |
| top players such as Zico and Eder. Argentina had the | | | | Morocco ! The atmosphere at the world cup was |
| talent of a young Diego Maradona and England had | | | | unique, it was an amazing experience that it is not |
| top players such as Kevin Keegan and Bryan | | | | possible at local club football.France had some great |
| Robson.As with every world cup the samba beat of | | | | players in their team including Vierrra and Zidane , but |
| Brazil were most pundits tip for the trophy so it was | | | | they played the whole whole world cup without a |
| a real surprise as I cheered on a fantastic Dave | | | | recognised prolific scorer. Indeed it was the midfielder |
| Narey strike for my home nation Scotland as they | | | | Zidane who scored 2 goals in the final.England yet |
| went 1-0 up in a group game ! However, Brazil | | | | again failed to progress as they lost in a penalty |
| stepped up a gear and thrashed the Scots 4-1 !Brazil | | | | shoot out to Argentina who took advantage of a |
| moved onto the next round but were shocked when | | | | young David Beckham getting sent off.Any world cup |
| the star of the tournament, Italy's Paulo Rossi | | | | final that ends with the host nation lifting the trophy |
| hammered a glorious hat-trick to give Italy a 3-2 win | | | | is special and many people have fond memories of |
| over the Brazilians and send them home.And who | | | | France 1998.South Korea / Japan 2002I am not a big |
| could forget the famous goal Gerry Armstrong | | | | fan of splitting venues but this world cup was ok |
| scored for minnows Northern Ireland as they beat | | | | mostly due to the fairytale journey of the South |
| the the host nation Spain 1-0 !Italy went on to lift the | | | | Korean team who reached the semi final. The |
| world cup with veteran goalkeeper Dino Zoff being | | | | Koreans were well organised and super fit and |
| the oldest captain to lift the world cup.Fantastic | | | | claimed the scalps of the Italian team on their way to |
| football, controversial matches and the Italians | | | | the semi final. The home nation were right behind |
| clinched their world cup yet again !World Cup Italia | | | | their team and every game was packed with a sea |
| 1990Italians love soccer but unfortunately their team | | | | of read and white Korean fans roaring on their |
| failed to deliver the goods as the host nation started | | | | team.After the disappointemnt of France 1998 |
| well but were knocked out by world cup specialists | | | | Ronaldo had a point to prove and he delivered the |
| Argentina.The host nation had superstars such as | | | | goods as he finished top goalscorer and helpled Brazil |
| Baggio, Donadoni and Baresi but it was the unlikely | | | | defeat Germany in the final. Germany had struggled |
| striker Toto Schilachi who emerged as the star of | | | | in qualification for the world cup which included a 5-1 |
| the tournament.I had the pleasure of being on holiday | | | | home defate against England but they had a |
| in Portugal at the time Italia 1990 was on and despite | | | | fortunate draw and made it all the way to the final. |
| staying in a small fishing village called Carvaiero, world | | | | German keeper Oliver Kahn was a hero in most |
| cup fever was all around us. England had high hopes | | | | games but it was his mistake which gave Brazil the |
| of success with players such as Gary Linekar, Paul | | | | lead in the world cup final.Ireland had a great support |
| Gascoigne and Chirs Waddle.The great thing about | | | | with them and played Spain off the park only to go |
| any world cups is that there is always one country | | | | out on penalties, England blew their chances as ten |
| that emerges as giant killers and Italia 1990 would be | | | | men Brazil took advantage of a David Seaman error |
| blessed by the flair of Cameroon who had their | | | | and sent them packing.Some of the games were |
| veteran striker Roger Milla banging in the goals. Costa | | | | pretty poor at the 2002 world cup but the amazing |
| Rica were also shock troops as they defeated | | | | run of the South Koreans put a smile on the face of |
| Scotland, although being a Scot this result was not | | | | most soccer fans... |