BIG MATCH: Memorable World Cup finals

With the final of the world’s biggest football tournament taking place in Moscow today (from 2.55pm, BBC1/ITV), we look back at some of the most memorable title deciders… 1954:

Hungary were favourites to win the final in Switzerland, particularly as the ‘Magnificent Magyars’ had already trounced their opponents, West Germany, 8-3 in an earlier round. However, the Germans somehow managed to win 3-2 in what became known as the ‘Miracle of Bern’.

1966: ‘Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over, it is now.’ The Wembley final provided not only English football’s finest hour, but one of its best pieces of commentary. The BBC’s Kenneth Wolstenholme was at the mic as Geoff Hurst slammed in the winner.

1994: Roberto Baggio almost singlehandedly dragged Italy to the final of USA ’94. In a bitter twist of fate, the ‘Divine Ponytail’ missed a crucial penalty against Brazil, which saw the Italians consigned to defeat.

1998: The Brazilian striker Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit on the eve of the match against France in Paris, and was originally left out of the team. He was somehow cleared to play, but he couldn’t stop a Zinedine Zidaneinspired France romping to a 3-0 victory.

2006: Italy won Germany ’06 on penalties, but the final will always be remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on the Italian defender Marco Materazzi (left), which brought the French legend a red card in his last game as a professional footballer.