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Reports, analysis and guides from our coverage
The Mineirazo: Brazil's 1-7 to Germany that humbled a nation (2014)
In the semi-final of their own World Cup, Brazil conceded seven goals to Germany, five of them in under half an hour. An unprecedented sporting tragedy.
The most beautiful goals in World Cup history
Some goals are remembered for what they were worth and others for how they were scored. These belong to the second kind: works of art that outlive the result.
Uruguay 1930: the first World Cup, with ocean voyages and two balls in the final
Thirteen teams, Europeans crossing the Atlantic by ship and a final with one ball per half: this is how the World Cup was born, won by Uruguay.
How the World Cup was born: Jules Rimet, FIFA and the dream of a world championship
From Olympic football to the first World Cup in 1930: Jules Rimet's FIFA turned a bold idea into the planet's biggest tournament, which in 2026 brings together 48 teams.
United States beat Bosnia 2-0 with ten men to reach the last 16 despite Balogun's red card
Balogun scored just before half-time and was sent off in the 64th, but the United States held firm with ten men and Tillman made it 2-0 to reach the 2026 World Cup last 16 in Santa Clara.
The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century: Maradona's two faces in 1986
In the same quarter-final against England, on 22 June 1986 at the Azteca, Maradona scored with his hand and four minutes later netted what FIFA would name the Goal of the Century.