Most iconic goals in FIFA World Cup history

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - With just three days to go until the world's biggest football event kicks off, here is a look at memorable goals in World Cup history.

Diego Armando Maradona scored one of the most unforgettable goals in the history of the World Cup in the 1986 quarterfinal against England.

Maradona flicked the ball with his hand over goalkeeper Peter Shilton and into the net in that match, though the referee was unable to notice his trick.

Argentine football legend later said the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."

Four minutes after scoring the first, Maradona scored another wonder goal when he made a run from his own half, storming past five English men to make a shot that the goalie conceded.

- Mario Gotze vs. Argentina at 2014 final

Mario Gotze rose to global fame with his winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.

Germany have been crowned as the 2014 World Cup winners in Rio De Janeiro as a single goal was scored by Gotze in the final's extra time.

Andre Schurrle took a run down the left side and found him with his cross from the wing. Gotze chested the ball down to the edge of the box and thrashed home with a left-footed volley across the goal.

Gotze had come on as a substitute before the end of normal time.

- Robin van Persie vs. Spain in 2014

Robin van Persie's leaping header from the edge of the box against Spain was one of the highlights of the World Cup events.

Also known as the Flying Dutchman, van Persie stunned the football fans with an extraordinary diving header in the Netherlands' 5-1 win over Spain, assisted by left-back Daley Blind.

- Igor Belanov vs. Belgium in 1986

One of the most famous hat-tricks against Belgium came during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico as Belgium conceded three goals to Soviet Union’s Igor Belanov.

Belanov made a classy-long finish but it was not enough to win the game, as the Belgians moved past the Soviet Union into the quarterfinals in a 4-3 game.

- Ronaldo vs. Germany in 2002

Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima commonly known as Ronaldo scored eight goals in the 2002 World Cup final, including two in the final as the Selecao won the title with a 2-0 result.

The first goal came in minute 66. Ronaldo, who had followed Rivaldo's long-range kick, took advantage of goalkeeper Oliver Kahn being off balance, netting the rebound into the bottom corner before Kahn could recover.

After 13 minutes, Jose Kleberson passed toward Rivaldo, who was on the right side of the penalty arc and let the ball go through his legs.

Ronaldo used his first touch to get the ball away from Germany's Gerald Asamoah before finding the bottom corner of the net, 2-0.

- Escobar's own goal in 1994

In one of the darkest moments of sports history, Colombia's Andres Escobar was shot to death on July 2, 1994.

Escobar served as the captain of the Colombian national team and was murdered 10 days after he scored an own goal in a game versus the US team that resulted in a 2-1 defeat during the group stage, contributing to his country's exit from the tournament.

- Roberto Baggio vs. Czechoslovakia in 1990

Italy's Roberto Baggio scored a beautiful goal after making a run from his own half in the 1990 World Cup in Italy against then-Czechoslovakia.

Baggio split two players and shrugged off a tackle, then undressed defender Ernst Aigner before slotting the ball into the net.

The forward played a key role in a 2-0 victory.

- Iniesta vs. Netherlands in 2010 final

Spain's Andres Iniesta, also known as El Ilusionista, produced the only goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands in South Africa.

Cesc Fabregas retrieved the ball and passed to Iniesta who was on the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Iniesta took one touch before striking the ball past goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg into the corner of the goal.

- Saeed Al-Owairan vs. Belgium in 1984

Saudi Arabia advanced to the knockout phase in their first appearance at the event history in the USA in 1994.

Forward Saeed Al Owairan’s 80-yard run culminated in an amazing goal against Belgium that helped take the Saudis into the last 16.

- Cambiasso vs. Serbia & Montenegro in 2006

Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso’s goal against Serbia and Montenegro involved 24 passes before the midfielder netted, one of the most passes in the build-up to a World Cup goal.

The game ended with a 6-0 win in favor of the Albicelestes.

The Qatar 2022 will be the first World Cup tournament in the northern hemisphere that will not be held during the summer season.

The 29-day football event will kick off on Nov. 20 with an opener match between Qatar vs. Ecuador at 1600 GMT in the Al Bayt Stadium and conclude with the final match at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium on Dec. 18.