FIFA World Cup: Six 'memorable' moments in football tournament's history

Hosts Russia will kick off the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Moscow, while defending champions Germany will start against Mexico. 

Over 2.4 million tickets had already been sold where more than 1.5 million of them are from outside Russia. The reports add that another 100,000, which had been reserved for its FIFA's constituent groups, were now being offered to fans.

With just six days remaining now for the tournament to commence, let's look at the best six memorable moments in the football tournament's history. 

1. Maradona's 'Goal of the Century'
World Cup: 1986
Round: Quarterfinal

Diego Maradona had himself quite a day as minutes after scoring the famous 'Hand of God' goal, the Argentine footballer scored the 'Goal of the Century.'  Maradona executed a scamper through perplexed England players en route to beating goalkeeper Peter Shilton to give Argentina a two-goal lead in what would be a 2-1 quarterfinal win. Galvanized by Maradona's play, Argentina won its second World Cup.

2 Pele comes of age
World Cup: 1958
Round: Final

As a 17-year-old, Pele scored two goals as Brazil won the final over host Sweden, 5-2. In all, Pele scored six goals in four games, a tally that included a hat-trick in the semifinal against France. Pele pushed Brazil into the international football level it enjoys to this day. With him, Brazil won three of four World Cups from 1958-1970. 

3. Donovan's winner
World Cup: 2010
Round: Group stage

The US needed a win over Algeria in order to reach the knockout stage after having drawn in its first two group matches. In stoppage time, Landon Donovan's goal lifted the US to a 1-0 win. It was also the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930 that the US won its group.

4. Van Persie's flying header
World Cup: 2014
Round: Group stage

In a rematch, the Netherlands absolutely wiped out Spain, 5-1. The key moment was Robin van Persie's sensational flying header goal in the 44th minute. Spain didn't recover from this debacle, losing its second game to Chile and bowing out of the tournament without advancing to the knockout round. 

5. Carlos Alberto's goal
World Cup: 1970
Round: Final

Brazil punctuated its 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final with a goal for the ages. Six different players touched the ball before Pele collected the ball and passed it off to Carlos Alberto, who scored the famous goal. The 1970 Brazil team is often cited as the greatest team of all time.

6. England crowned champs at home
World Cup: 1966
Round: Final

Going into every World Cup, England is hailed as an international elite. Every World Cup, England falls short of expectations.  England did get its
moment of glory in 1966, when it hosted the tournament. Behind Geoff Hurst's hat-trick England defeated Germany, 4-2, in the final at Wembley Stadium.