From Casillas to Buffon via Barthez, goalkeepers have often changed the destiny of their team in the World Cup. Overview of the most decisive saves in the history of the World Cup.
A failed release, a hand mistake, a poorly controlled dive… Goalkeepers can sometimes make a big blunder that costs their team a title. And supporters generally remember it for the rest of their lives. But the opposite situation has also happened on numerous occasions, notably in the World Cup. Porters even saved their country from defeat, leading them to the coveted final coronation. Overview of the most important stops in the history of the World Cup.
Emiliano Martinez face à Randal Kolo Muani, 2022
It is perhaps the most important stoppage in the history of the World Cup, or even football. We are in Doha, December 18, 2022 and the France team launches the last attack of the World Cup final against Argentina. There are then three goals everywhere. Extra time in extra time is almost up when Randal Kolo Muani receives a long bell ball and finds himself face-to-face with Emiliano Martinez.
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The Habs regain the ball on the volley after a first rebound but the Argentine goalkeeper deploys himself perfectly to deflect, with the tip of his left foot, the attempt of the Blues attacker, who had the opportunity to offer a third star to France. It’s a failure. The hero of this final, won on penalties by Argentina, is Emiliano Martinez, who will even win the Yachine Trophy in 2023, rewarding the best goalkeeper of the year.
Iker Casillas against Arjen Robben, 2010
Same scenario, or almost. July 11, 2010, Johannesburg, World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain. In the 61st minute, Wesley Sneijder sent Arjen Robben deep. The legend of Bayern Munich lays down the entire Iberian defense and only has to deceive Iker Casillas to open the scoring.
The Dutchman strikes, wrong-footing the Spanish goalkeeper, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s right stud narrowly deflects Robben’s attempt and prevents the Netherlands from lifting their first World Cup. It is Spain who will be crowned thanks to Andrés Iniesta’s liberating goal in the 116th minute of play.
Casillas would later admit that this fabulous stop was only “lucky. I am convinced that if Robben and I had experienced this moment ten times, he would have scored nine times.” Enough to enrage the Dutch, who have still not won a single World Cup. They have the opportunity to ward off fate this summer in America.
Gianluigi Buffon faces Zidane Zidane, 2006
Another World Cup final and another more than decisive stop. 104th minute of play at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, France and Italy are back to back and are already mentally preparing for the fateful penalty shootout. It was then that Zinédine Zidane took a superb cross from the right from Willy Sagnol. His header is very powerful and the Frenchman thinks to give the Blues the advantage again but Gianluigi Buffon decides otherwise.
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The transalpine goalkeeper, at the top of his art, firmly stops the ball with his right hand and sends it over his crossbar. You know the rest… A few minutes later, Zidane will lose his temper and will be sent off for a headbutt on the chest of Marco Materazzi. Italy will be crowned world champions for the fourth time after the penalty shootout. Cruel outcome for the Blues.
Fabien Barthez versus Ronaldo, 1998
Do you remember this parade by Fabien Barthez against Ronaldo at the Stade de France on July 12, 1998? The Blues already lead two goals to zero but the Seleçao obtain a free kick in the 56th minute of play after a foul by Christian Karembeu, punished with a yellow card. Rivaldo sends Roberto Carlos to the left side. The full-back crosses towards the penalty point, avoiding Zinédine Zidane. The ball bounces without anyone touching it and lands on Ronaldo, who gets rid of Stéphane Guivarc’h with a controlled header.
“Il Fenomeno” finds himself facing Fabien Barthez, less than two meters from the French goal line. The French goalkeeper then pulls out all the stops by capturing the Brazilian’s very powerful axial strike. A decisive save, which allowed the Blues to maintain a two-goal lead at a crucial moment in this home final. Emmanuel Petit will be responsible for killing the suspense in added time and offering the title of world champion to France.
Hugo Lloris face à MartÃn Cáceres, 2018
This time, the save in question was not made in the final but in the quarter of the 2018 World Cup. It is July 6 in Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, and France has just opened the scoring against Uruguay thanks to a very beautiful header from Raphaël Varane at the 40th minute of play.
A few moments later, the South Americans obtained an interesting free kick. Central defender MartÃn Cáceres jumps higher than everyone and sends a beautiful header towards the small right net of Hugo Lloris. The French goalkeeper then made an exceptional save with a very firm right hand, before sacrificing himself in front of captain Diego Godin on the second ball. A high-class double save which, in part, allowed the Blues to win this World Cup.
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Manuel Neuer vs. Karim Benzema, 2014
Another quarter-final, four years earlier in Brazil. Germany and France face each other in a European clash, which the Mannschaft dominates. Mats Hummels opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a header and the Blues were unable to equalize. The final whistle is getting dangerously close and Karim Benzema decides to take matters into his own hands by unleashing a huge shot which goes straight under Manuel Neuer’s bar.
The “German wall” then lives up to its nickname and returns the ball with its arm, without it even moving after impact. At the time, commentators TF1 even believed that Benzema’s shot had been deflected off the post! The Mannschaft will qualify for the semi-final where they will humiliate Brazil at home (7-1) before winning the final in overtime against Lionel Messi’s Argentina (1-0).
Gordon Banks face à Pelé, 1970
«J’ai marqué un but mais Banks l’a arrêté !HAS”. This legendary phrase from Pelé helped make Gordon Banks a legend. The English goalkeeper made the parade of his life on June 7, 1970 in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the group stage of the World Cup. The Brazilian however got rid of Tommy Wright, who was marking him, before propelling a powerful header towards the small right net of Banks.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, his real name, was then sure that the ball was going to go in and had even already raised his arms in joy, shouting “Gol”! This was without counting on the incredible reflex of the British doorman, who had thrown himself back to remove the leather with the tip of his right hand. HAS”The ball went exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate this goal“, Pelé even declared decades later, proof of Banks’ exceptional display.
«He came out of nowhere and did something I didn’t think was possible“, the Brazilian legend further assured. If he did not prevent the defeat of England on a goal from Jairzinho (1-0), and even less the final coronation of Brazil, this save has become legendary, as it marked Pelé and brought Gordon Banks into the great history of football.
Toni Turek against Puskas’ Hungary, 1954
A new World Cup final, much earlier, on July 4, 1954 in Bern, Switzerland. Nine years after the end of the Second World War, West Germany challenged the great Hungary of Ferenc Puskas, favorite to win the competition. The Mannschaft had been humiliated by these same Hungarians in the group stage, losing with a prolific score of 8 goals to 3. Quickly leading 2-0, the Germans equalized in the 18th minute, the opportunity to cast doubt on their opponents, diminished by several injuries.
German goalkeeper Toni Turek then began a festival of saves, disgusting the Hungarian attackers, Sandor Kocsis in the first place. The Mannschaft took the lead in the 84th minute, even resisting an offside goal from Puskas, which is still contested today. No matter, the “miracle of Berne” was born. This victory was foundational for West Germany, which was barely recovering from the Second World War. Asked about the specialized websiteFootball notebooks In 2010, the professor of contemporary history at the University of Neuchâtel-Fribourg Laurent Tissot summarized: “After this title, we could again declare ourselves German».
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