5 epic dying-minute goals in World Cup history
The World Cup is the mecca of world football where players represent their country and put their best foot forward in terms of the performances and skill. They extract the best out of each other so that their country can earn the glory of winning the World Cup.
It is a place where fans get to see a galaxy of stars and the atmosphere is spirited and full of adrenaline. Goal scoring becomes the supreme vocation, and supporters cheer passionately for their home country.
There have been numerous occasions when the players have scored the goal at the dying minutes of the match. Here are five last-minute goals which created history at the World Cup.
#5. Dennis Bergkamp, Netherlands vs Argentina, 1998 World Cup quarterfinal
In the 1998 World Cup quarterfinal match, Argentina and Netherlands were tied at 1-1, until Dennis Bergkamp sprang up a surprise. In the 89th minute, Frank de Boer gave a 60-yard pass into the Argentine end. Bergkamp meticulously plucked the ball from the air, dribbled from inside of Argentine center back Roberto Ayala and put the ball into the goalpost. The Dutch side won the match 2-1.
This was Bergkamp’s 36th goal for his national side. He said,
"That’s my top goal, I think. Also because of everything around it. It’s a goal that gets you to the semi-final of the World Cup, a massive stadium, lots of people watching and cheering... My reaction afterwards was very emotional.”
#4. David Beckham, England vs Greece, 2002 World Cup qualifier
England were down 2-1 in the dying minutes of a 2002 World Cup qualifier match against Greece. They needed to draw or win this match to advance into the World Cup finals then fortuitously Greece committed a foul outside their own box, some 25 yards out. English fans were hopeful, but a bit dejected as the seconds ticked off.
David Beckham took the free-kick in the 93rd minute and etched his name in the annals of English football. England drew the match 2-2 with Greece and found themselves in the World Cup finals.