Famous Five

Matty Briggs steps up to the plate to outline his Famous Five

Last updated: 17th March 2010  

  • Maradona Hand of God Handball Argentina England World Cup 1986
  • Maradona Hand of God Handball Argentina England World Cup 1986
  • Maradona Hand of God Handball Argentina England World Cup 1986

With this summer's showpiece edging ever closer, the Sky Sports staff have been looking ahead to the action in South Africa.

We have also been getting nostalgic about tournaments gone by and as part of the build-up to this summer's event we asked the skysports.com team to pick their five favourite World Cup moments.

Matty Briggs steps up to the plate to outline his Famous Five...

5: Zinedine Zidane's dismissal in the final, 2006

After some verbals between Zidane and Marco Materazzi, the usually-placid French schemer decided to take the law into his own hands and do his own impression of He-Man's reliable sidekick Ram-Man. Zidane's headbutt to the chest of the Italian centre-back was a totally bizarre incident and one which led to the extra-time dismissal of the playmaker before Italy went on to win the tournament on penalties.

4: Josimar's goal for Brazil v Northern Ireland, 1986

After a sustained spell of keep ball by the Brazilians, which had the opposition chasing shadows, Samba star Josimar picked the ball up outside the area and thumped a right-footed shot which flew past Pat Jennings into the top corner. Simply sensational and a memorable celebration as well.

3: David Beckham's dismissal v Argentina, 1998

After Diego Simeone clattered into Beckham, the petulant England star kicked out and was red-carded - handing the initiative to Argentina and what followed was more penalty shoot-out heartache for the Three Lions.

2: Gary Lineker's goal v West Germany, 1990

The now Match of the Day anchorman popped up 10 minutes from time to equalise against West Germany in the semi-final. Cue joyous scenes in the Briggs household until I kicked over my bed-time milk and half-coated biscuit. Lineker's goal wasn't enough, though, as Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed in the penalty shoot-out to start a spot-kick tale of woe in major tournaments.

1: Maradona's infamous handball, 1986

Just four years after the Falklands War, Maradona did little to ease the tension between the two nations. Forget the notion that referees are making bigger mistakes now than they ever did, just remember the quarter-final in Mexico. As Steve Hodge's miscued clearance looped into the air, England's six-foot-plus goalkeeper Peter Shilton looked odds on to claim it, until five-foot five-inch Maradona, with a little help from 'the Hand of God', guided it into the net. Gutted, and it certainly took the edge off Maradona's second goal as he weaved his way around half the England team, including Peter Reid out on a Sunday morning stroll, before beating Shilton. It was later voted 'Goal of the Century'.

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