Some football games go far beyond the pitch. They grip billions, drive record-breaking TV viewership, and even move serious money behind the scenes. Finals of major tournaments like the World Cup and Champions League often spark the kind of global attention few other events can match. From late goals to penalty shootouts, the stakes don’t get much higher than this.
According to FIFA, the 2022 World Cup reached over 5 billion people across all platforms, with the final alone pulling in more than 1.5 billion viewers. That puts it among the most-watched events in television history—eclipsing the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and even the biggest pop culture broadcasts.
As interest around these games grows, fans often look for new ways to stay connected—whether it’s through fantasy leagues, live forums, or even exploring a list of anonymous betting sites where they can place light predictions without sharing personal details
Let’s look at four football matches that drew massive global attention and became cultural milestones in their own right.
Barcelona vs Manchester United, 2009 Champions League final
Held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, this clash brought two football giants head-to-head. Barcelona’s 2–0 win marked the end of a legendary season that saw them claim the treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League—under Pep Guardiola’s management. United came in as defending champions, and expectations were sky-high across Europe.
Punters in the UK heavily backed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, but Barcelona’s early goal by Samuel Eto’o shifted the mood. One bettor famously turned a £3,000 wager into £12,000 by correctly predicting Eto’o would score first. That night confirmed Barcelona’s place among the most dominant teams of their era.
Argentina vs France, 2022 World Cup final
It was a full-on spectacle. Played on Qatar National Day at Lusail Stadium, the 2022 FIFA World Cup final had everything: drama, comebacks, Messi, Mbappé, and penalties. Argentina went 2–0 up in the first half, only to see Kylian Mbappé drag France level with two goals in two minutes. Messi nudged Argentina ahead again in extra time, but Mbappé equalized once more, sending the game to penalties.
Argentina ultimately triumphed, and the match became one of the most-watched sports broadcasts in history, with an estimated 1.5 billion global viewers. According to France’s National Gaming Authority, €51 million was staked on the match in France alone.
France vs Croatia, 2018 World Cup final
Four years earlier, France had already lifted their second World Cup in a wild final against Croatia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The game featured a bit of everything: own goals, VAR decisions, and standout performances—including a goal by 19-year-old Mbappé, who became the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Pelé.
France won 4–2, capping off a tournament that introduced VAR to the World Cup stage. FIFA later reported a global betting turnover of €7.2 billion across the tournament, showing just how massive its reach had become.
Germany vs Brazil, 2014 World Cup semi-final
This one wasn’t a final, but it felt like one. Germany’s 7–1 demolition of Brazil in their own backyard left Maracanã and the rest of the football world stunned. The hosts were missing Neymar and Thiago Silva, but no one expected a collapse of that scale.
Germany were five goals up within 30 minutes, with Miroslav Klose breaking Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring record in the process. Twitter recorded over 35 million tweets during the match, making it the most tweeted sports event at the time. For Brazil, it was more than a loss—it was national heartbreak.
Did you know…
When was the first FIFA World Cup held?
The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930 and was hosted by Uruguay. Thirteen teams participated, with seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America. Uruguay won the tournament, beating Argentina 4–2 in the final. All matches were played in Montevideo, and the event marked the start of what would become the most-watched sporting competition in the world.
It’s worth noting that back then, the Olympics were still seen as football’s biggest international stage. FIFA’s decision to create a separate global tournament was a gamble—but it paid off. Despite the logistical challenges of travel in the 1930s, the event drew massive local support and laid the groundwork for the international tournaments that followed.
Who was the first male player to score in five different World Cups?
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male footballer to score in five separate World Cups in 2022. He opened his account in the group stage against Ghana, adding another record to his long list of achievements. His World Cup scoring run began in 2006 and continued through 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.
While other legendary players like Pelé and Miroslav Klose scored plenty of goals on the world stage, none had found the net in five separate tournaments. Ronaldo’s consistency and longevity at the top level make this record stand out, especially given how physically demanding World Cups are for players in their late 30s.
Has any country played in every single World Cup?
Yes—Brazil is the only nation to have appeared at every edition of the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930. The Seleção has never failed to qualify and has lifted the trophy five times, more than any other country. Their presence is so constant that it’s hard to imagine a World Cup without them.
This consistency goes beyond just showing up—they’ve produced some of the tournament’s most iconic moments, from Pelé’s teenage brilliance in 1958 to Ronaldo Phenomenon’s comeback in 2002. Even when Brazil doesn’t win, their flair and attacking style tend to leave a mark on the tournament. No other country has managed that level of reliability on the biggest stage.
