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They always say that football is a 'funny old game', and that's only really scratching at the surface.
Home and away, there have been some genuinely great matchups on the pitch, whether that's
thanks to a spate of red cards, an incredible scoreline or an unexpected comeback.
Whether it's the
fastest goal, the most unexpected scorer or other mind-blowing moments, there's
always going to be a twist or two in 90 minutes of play. Here are some of our favourite matches and
scenes both at home and abroad.
Germany Take Brazil to School
Germany's national side has seen its ups and downs, but nothing short of formidable quality in the
past 20 years. Yes – their
2018 showing at the World Cup might have been upsetting but consider
their 2014 run.
Ask even a non-football fan who the best team in the world is, and they will typically say Brazil pretty
quickly. That's what made Germany's stunning 7-1 win over the host country in 2014's World Cup all
the more shocking.
Joachim Low led Germany to absolutely hammer the home side, with as many as four goals being
scored in six minutes. It's an unforgiving scoreline and an unforgettable moment. Many regard it the
best football match of the past 20 years.
Reading: The Football League's Rocky Balboa
That is, in the sense that they were plucky enough to push Arsenal to the brink in the 2012/13
League Cup but just lost out in the last.
It's a dream giant-killing scenario in the first instance. Reading managed to put four goals past the
Gunners within the first half-hour of the game. Arsenal didn't seem to be answering the call to
action.
But then, the Gunners knocked another four in of their own. Reading would eke another goal out,
but Arsenal showed them how the big boys play. The final scoreline was Reading 5, Arsenal 7 – a
brilliant match always worth rewatching.
Sizzling Spanish Perfection
Spain, of course, is home to some of the most watchable football on the planet. That's why any
matchup between the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona is always going to be worth tuning in for.
There's even a name for whenever it happens –
El Clasico.
What happened when these titans met in November 2010, however, was nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Madrid doesn't normally let much of a guard down, but when you have the likes of David Villa, Xavi
and Jeffren punching forward, you really need to answer the call. On one fateful day in autumn
2010, Real Madrid did not.
In fact, many attribute Barcelona's incredible 5-0 win over Real Madrid to the away side's cohesive
excellence. This is Spanish football at its best, and even the mightiest can fall.
A Mess for Messi
If we're really going to focus on giant-killing, let's take a look at an international that saw Argentina
topple quicker than we've ever seen them manage before – or since. Lionel Messi is, inarguably, one
of the finest players to ever grace the pitch. In 2009, however, one fateful matchup saw his side fall
6-1 to an international team no one expected.
That team? Bolivia. Even fellow giants have fallen to Argentina, making their victory all the more
sweet. Argentina fans may use the line that the Bolivian altitude worked against the player's favours.
However, on paper – and on-screen – it just wasn't Messi's day, nor was it anyone else's.
More to Come
Football is a game that's always going to bring forth incredible moments of upset and stunning
teamwork. Therefore, it's safe to say we've not seen the last of momentous, memorable action here
and abroad.
Let's wait and see what score lines the delayed Euros in 2021 have to bring us!