Matt Jones

Just nine years old, I was jumping for joy around my living room when Zinedine Zidane inspired France to World Cup glory in 1998. Does my family have any Gallic roots? Nope. Did I harbor an early disdain for Brazil? Not at all. I was just really, really happy that France had won. The World […]

Ten years ago, a young lad from Liverpool made a name for himself at a major international tournament. Nonplussed by the reputation of supposedly more illustrious opponents and unfazed by the pressure of the European Championships, Wayne Rooney dazzled at Euro 2004. At 18 years old he was naturally a little rough around the edges […]

England ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Peru in their final game on home soil ahead of the 2014 World Cup on Friday night. A sumptuous finish from Daniel Sturridge gave the Three Lions the lead before half time, before centre-backs Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka both netted after break. It was a game in […]

No.12: Gordon Banks’ Save Of The Century (Mexico, 1970) In the rich history of the World Cup there are host of iconic moments that involve goalkeepers. Dino Zoff was the first ever ‘keeper to captain a team to glory when he won the trophy with Italy in 1982, whilst Iker Casillas was simply superb in […]

No. 13: Luis Suarez Becomes The Scourge Of Africa (South Africa, 2010) Soccer is a game that pits players with various moral dilemmas. Should you dive to win your team a penalty? Should you move the ball forward those extra few yards when the referee has his back turned? Should you waste time when your team is […]

Got your wall chart pinned up? Sticker book nearly finished? Sweepstake sorted? The start of the 2014 World Cup is creeping ever closer. So if you've yet to sort out any of the aforementioned pre-World Cup rituals, here at World Soccer Talk we've made things a little easier for you, by providing a full schedule […]

No.14: Michael Owen Bursts Onto The World Stage (France, 1998) When it comes to World Cup memories, positive ones have been pretty scarce for England in recent years. Prosperous and promising qualifying campaigns have only paved the way for major tournament disappointment since Bobby Robson’s Three Lions side reached the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup. Penalties, […]

No.15: Brazil Crumble At The Maracana (Brazil, 1950) If there’s any moment on our list that’s most applicable heading into the 2014 World Cup, it’s perhaps this one, when Brazil last hosted the tournament 64 years ago. Back then, the format was a little different from what we are accustomed to in the modern game. Four […]

Who’s going to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup then? It’s a perilously difficult question to answer. Soccer—as the old cliché goes—isn’t won on paper. Most of the time, the team with the most desirable combination of players, manager and mentality come out on top. But those small margins, the differentials that ultimately separate those teams […]

No. 18: Gol Di Grosso! Gol Di Grosso! (Germany, 2006) Is there a more gut-wrenching way to lose a game than in the very last minute of extra time? As a supporter, by that point you naturally cast your mind towards a penalty shootout and what could potentially happen there. Managers do exactly the same, […]

No. 19: Poetry In Motion From La Albiceleste (Germany, 2006) One of the great things about soccer is the way in which supporters can appreciate different types of goals. A player in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo picking the ball up, beating a couple of men and then smashing a strike into the top corner […]

No. 20: South Korea’s Sensational Run (Japan & South Korea, 2002) Being the host nation or city in any tournament can typically gives rise to a duo of far removed scenarios. Some teams can crumble under the enormous pressure that accompanies this tag. The build-up, the fandom, the unrelenting intensity of proceedings can prove too […]

No. 21: Total Football, (Germany, 1974) Every so often, one team can capture the imagination of the watching world. Typically, they are sides that play in a striking style, with unique ideas and ultimately, sample their fair degree of success. In 1974, the Dutch national team—competing at their first World Cup in 36 years—did exactly […]

The England national team will take to the field for the final time on home soil ahead of the World Cup when they meet Peru on Friday, May 30 2014. And Carlsberg are giving you the chance to be at Wembley to roar on the Three Lions before they jet off for friendlies in the […]

No. 22: Zidane Loses His Head, (Germany, 2006) Soccer is a game that can render you speechless. In awe at what you’ve just seen, dumfounded by what has happened out on the pitch. World Cup finals are occasions that regularly give rise to a bout of speechlessness. Typically due to the sheer drama they concoct, the outpouring […]