1 Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres
Team: SpainWorld Cup: 2026Final result: Spain 1-0 Argentina
The Spain and Barcelona striker was by no means an unknown name before the World Cup. However, Torres had been dropped from Spain’s starting XI following his lacklustre performance in the goalless draw against Cape Verde in their tournament opener. Since then, he endured a forgettable tournament, failing to convert chances when he came on as a substitute. However, all that changed in the 106th minute against Argentina, as he latched onto Nico Williams’s header and smashed the ball past an onrushing Emiliano Martinez to become La Roja’s ultimate hero.
2 Mario Gotze
Mario Gotze
Team: GermanyWorld Cup: 2014Final result: Germany 1-0 ArgentinaFor regular Bundesliga watchers, Gotze was already one of Germany’s new wonderkids, having starred during Borussia Dortmund’s back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. However, his status shot up several notches at the 2014 World Cup. He had a couple of standout performances in vs Portugal (4-0) and Ghana (2-2), but saved his best for last. In the 113th minute of the final, he chested down a cross from Andre Schurrle before lashing it past Argentine ’keeper Sergio Romero to crown Germany world champions.
3 Fabio Grosso
Fabio Grosso
Team: ItalyWorld Cup: 2006Final result: Italy 1 (5) – 1 (3) FranceGrosso was an underrated member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad. The left-back first put his name in lights with a 119th minute goal vs Germany (2-0) in the semis. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he turned out to be the hero, hammering the last penalty of the final shootout vs France in the top right corner. His previous spot-kick had been five years ago in the Italian fourth division.
4 Andreas Brehme
Andreas Brehme
Team: West GermanyWorld Cup: 1990Final score: West Germany 1-0 ArgentinaBy the time Brehme retired in 1998, he was known as one of the best full-backs in the world. But the defender had sealed his legacy eight years ago in the final against Argentina, when he took an 85th-minute penalty with his comparatively weaker right foot. Interestingly, Brehme wasn’t supposed to take the spot-kick, but had to step up in place of his legendary German skipper Lothar Matthaus, who didn’t feel comfortable taking the penalty because he was playing in his replacement boots.
5 Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Team: ArgentinaWorld Cup: 1986Final result: Argentina 3-2 West GermanyBurruchaga wasn’t a prolific forward (13 goals in 59 games) but rose to fame in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany. In the 84th minute, he was sent racing through on goal by a defence-splitting pass from Diego Maradona, and with the German goalkeeper closing him down, Burruchaga squeezed the ball between the custodian’s legs to help Argentina win their second title.
