Brilliant Goalkeepers & Brilliant Saves

Over the years, the FIFA World Cup has seen brilliant goalkeepers perform on the biggest stage. They made saves which became footballing folklore and a reference point for great goalkeeping.

The 5 most iconic and high-stakes saves which made history are as follows :

1. Gordon Banks (England vs. Brazil, 1970)

Widely dubbed the “Save of the Century”. Pelé rose high to meet a cross, powering a header toward the bottom right corner. Diving low across his goal, Banks managed to scoop the bouncing ball up and over the crossbar with his right hand from ground level. Pelé famously shouted “Goal!” before realising Banks had somehow turned it away.

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2. Emiliano Martínez (Argentina vs. France, 2022)

In the 123rd minute of extra time with the World Cup Final tied at 3–3, Randal Kolo Muani found himself clean through on goal. “Dibu” Martínez sprinted out, fully spreading his body, and made an instinctive, split-second block with his outstretched left leg to deny a certain winner and take Argentina to a penalty shootout victory.

3. Iker Casillas (Spain vs. Netherlands, 2010)

In the 62nd minute of the 2010 World Cup Final, Arjen Robben broke clear past Spain’s defence in a 1-on-1 situation. As Casillas dived to his left, Robben slotted the ball toward the opposite corner. With incredible reflexes, Casillas flicked out his right boot to tip the ball narrowly past the post, keeping the game goalless before Spain won in extra time.

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4. Dino Zoff (Italy vs. Brazil, 1982)

In the dying seconds of a legendary 3–2 thriller in Barcelona, Brazil’s Oscar powered a point-blank downward header toward the bottom corner. The 40-year-old Italian captain dove down and pinned the ball firmly on the goal line. Known simply in Italy as “la Parata” (“the Save”), Zoff held on tight to ensure Italy eliminated the tournament favourites and went on to win the World Cup.

5. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy vs. France, 2006)

Early in extra time during the 2006 World Cup Final, Willy Sagnol sent a cross to Zinedine Zidane, who struck a bullet header toward the top corner. Buffon showed exceptional reaction speed, leaping backwards to tip Zidane’s powerful header over the crossbar, preserving the 1–1 draw that Italy eventually won on penalties.

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