Memories are made of this: from the "Hand of God" to the head of Eddie Pope, this is our silver anniversary celebration of the most memorable matches of the past 25 years - Twenty-Five Years Of Soccer Digest

Soccer Digest, Feb-March, 2002 by Michael Lewis

WHAT'S THE MOST MEMOrable soccer match of the past 25 years?

SOCCER DIGEST, celebrating its silver anniversary, decided to make a list of the best encounters of the past 25 years. Not surprisingly, the World Cup and European competitions dominated our list, with several notable American results as well. Here is our look at the most memorable matches of the past quarter-century:

1. West Germany 3, France 3; Germany advanced on penalties, 5-4 (1982 World Cup semifinals)

Unfortunately, someone had to lose what perhaps was the greatest, most dramatic, most controversial World Cup ever game played. That's a shame, considering the quality of the teams and what was at stake--a place in the final. "Surely, it was the craziest match I ever played," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, one of the heroes who scored in extra time during Germany's improbable two-goal comeback.

With the score tied at 1-1 in the 57th minute, German goalkeeper Toni Schumacher leveled French sub Francois Battison, who was replaced. Schumacher, incredibly, did not get redcarded, allowing the Germans to keep a full complement on the field through extra time.

Marius Tresor gave the French the lead two minutes into the first extra period. (This was prior to the creation of the Golden Goal.) Alain Giresse struck again for a 3-1 advantage. An insurmountable lead? Not for the Germans, who rallied behind Rummenigge (102nd minute goal) and Klaus Fischer (107th), sending the match to penalty kicks.

With the PKs knotted at 4-4, Schumacher saved Jean-Luc Bossis's attempt and Horst Hrubesch calmly placed his shot into the net for a fantastic finish.

2. Italy 3, Brazil 2 (1982 World Cup second round)

Perhaps it is more accurate to say it was Paolo Rossi 3, Brazil 2, after the Italian striker put on one of the great Cup scoring displays. Every time the favored Brazilians came within striking distance of Italy, destiny's darlings of the tournament, Rossi would come back with a goal of his own.

Rossi, who had recently returned from a two-year ban for match fixing, began his fabulous run of six goals in the final three matches with a fifth-minute tally. Brazil equalized in the 12th minute, but Rossi took advantage of a defensive mistake to give Italy a 2-1 lead. Falcao tied it in the 68th minute, but Rossi hit his third goal after Junior failed to clear a corner kick seven minutes later.

Italy went on to capture the World Cup crown while the Brazilians went home shaking their heads trying to figure out what went wrong.

3. France 1, Brazil 1, France advanced on penalties 4.3 (1986 World Cup quarterfinals)

Back and forth they went, two great teams looking for holes in the opposition's defense in this memorable encounter in Guadalajara, Mexico. Careca had given France a 1-0 lead 18 minutes into the match, but the French equalized with four minutes remaining in the half on a Michel Platini goal. The second half featured end-to-end action, but no goals.

Zico had a grand opportunity to put the Brazilians ahead in the 74th minute, but his penalty kick was saved by Joel Bats. After extra time came the drama of penalties. Luis Fernandez dramatically converted the game-winner after Brazil missed two penalties as France prevailed in the tie-breaker and booked passage for another semifinal confrontation against West Germany.

4. Man United 2, Bayern Munich 1 (1999 Champions League final)

With time running out on its bid to make history, Man United pulled off a remarkable comeback victory over Bayern Munich to capture the Champions League championship, scoring twice in stoppage time in Barcelona. United earned the English version of the treble (the English Premiership title, the FA Cup, and the European crown), although the team gave its supporters some heart-pounding moments. Mario Basler had given the German team the lead in the sixth minute and hit the crossbar twice in the second half. But United equalized 40 seconds into stoppage time as substitute Teddy Sheringham found the back of the net. About two minutes later, another late sub, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scored the game-winner.

5. Argentina 2, England 1 (1986 World Cup quarterfinals)

This match is remembered for a pair of Maradona goals, one for his brilliance ("Feet of a god"), the other for his chicanery ("Hand of God"). Six minutes into the second hall English midfielder Steve Hedge lifted a backpass to Peter Shilton. Maradona and the keeper arrived at the same time and the Argentine batted the ball into the net with his left hand. Only four minutes later, Maradona took possession of the ball at midfield and meandered through six English players to score one of the most magnificent goals in soccer history.

6. Argentina 3, Germany 2 (1986 World Cup final)

Not many recent World Cup finals include dramatic comebacks and winning goals in the waning minutes. The Germans overcame a two-goal deficit, striking twice in the final 17 minutes (Rummenigge in the 73rd minute and Rudi Voeller eight minutes later). That left it up to the man of the tournament, Maradona, who blooped an innocent looking pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who beat Schumacher in the 83rd minute. The celebrations began.