Buzz
Despite creating numerous lists about sports, it’s quite surprising that we haven’t yet compiled one dedicated to the most iconic moments in the world’s most popular sports. This list now fills that gap. Feel free to share your own favorite moments in the comments below.
10. Formula 1
2007 Formula One World Championship – Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2007 Formula One season was the first without the renowned Michael Schumacher. It was an exciting battle between three top drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen. The Brazilian Grand Prix, the season's final race, saw a rare situation: three drivers were still fighting for the title with just one race to go, something not seen since 1986. The weather played a major role, and the race began under the safety car. Hamilton led the standings with 107 points, followed by Alonso with 103, and Räikkönen with 100. It seemed a two-horse race between Hamilton and Alonso, with Räikkönen considered out of contention. However, Hamilton’s gearbox failure sent him to the back of the field, while Räikkönen won the race and clinched the championship. Had Hamilton finished just 5th or better, he would have been the champion. Räikkönen finished with 110 points, just ahead of Hamilton and Alonso, both on 109.
9. Tennis
In any evaluation of the greatest sporting moments of the 20th Century, the fourth-set tie-break in the 1980 Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles final between Sweden's Bjorn Borg and the USA's John McEnroe stands out. The match started poorly for Borg, as McEnroe dominated the first set 6-1, and had control of the second set too. However, Borg fought back to take the second and third sets, leaving him leading 2-1. As the match progressed past two hours, the fourth-set tie-break arrived. The set was full of dramatic moments, with match points and set points exchanged between the two. Borg reached match points at 6-5 and 7-6, but McEnroe fought them off with remarkable plays, including a great serve and net cord. McEnroe eventually won the set after saving four set points, and the match was tied at 2-2. In the final set, Borg served brilliantly, hitting 80% of his first serves, while McEnroe fought valiantly to stay in the match. Eventually, Borg triumphed on his eighth match point, winning 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6, claiming his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title.
The iconic 1980 Wimbledon final between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe remains one of the most thrilling matches in tennis history. McEnroe started with a commanding 6-1 win in the first set, and held a strong position in the second set. But Borg's resilience saw him claim both the second and third sets, leading 2-1. The crucial fourth-set tie-break was an intense battle of nerves and skill, with both players saving multiple set points and match points. McEnroe eventually won the set, but Borg's powerful serve and flawless gameplay in the fifth set secured him the win. The final score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6 gave Borg his fifth consecutive title, making history in Wimbledon tennis.
8. Golf
The 1997 Masters Tournament
During the 1996 Masters, Jack Nicklaus made a bold prediction that young amateur Tiger Woods would go on to win more green jackets than both Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer combined. Many were skeptical. However, the following year, Nicklaus’s foresight proved accurate. In his debut major as a professional, Woods dominated Augusta National. 'He’s taking the course apart,' said Nicklaus. Tom Watson described him as 'the type of player who comes around once in a millennium.' Woods had more than just power – his short game was impeccable, and he never once three-putted on the notoriously tricky greens. Starting the final day with a commanding nine-shot lead, Woods sealed his victory with a four-footer for par, celebrating with a fist pump and setting numerous records: youngest winner (21), lowest score across four days (270), and the largest margin of victory (12 shots). Additionally, he became the first golfer of minority descent to win the prestigious tournament. 'I wasn’t the pioneer,' Woods reflected. 'Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, Ted Rhodes – those are the guys who paved the way.' Whether he was the pioneer or not, Woods was undeniably the fresh face of golf.
7. Boxing
Tyson-Holyfield II
The much-anticipated Tyson-Holyfield II started with Holyfield taking the upper hand against Tyson. Prior to the fight, Tyson had complained multiple times about headbutts during their first encounter. As the third round was about to begin, Tyson stepped out of his corner without his mouthpiece, prompting the referee to send him back to insert it. Once Tyson had his mouthpiece back in place, the round resumed. He came out with aggression, launching a fierce attack. With just 40 seconds remaining in the round, Holyfield managed to clinch Tyson. In a bizarre move, Tyson tilted his head and bit Holyfield on his right ear, ripping off a small chunk of cartilage. He then spat the piece onto the canvas. The fight paused while referee Lane deliberated on the next course of action. Initially considering disqualification, Lane ultimately deducted two points from Tyson after the ringside doctor confirmed Holyfield was fit to continue. The match went on, but Tyson wasn’t finished. During another clinch, he bit Holyfield’s left ear. Holyfield reacted by flailing his arms to escape and backing away, but the fight continued until the end of the round. When time expired, both fighters returned to their corners, but the fight was officially halted. Tyson faced severe consequences for his actions, including a revoked boxing license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, a $3 million fine, plus legal costs, and the threat of a prison sentence.
6. Basketball
Michael Jordan’s immortalized shot
It was, without question, the most iconic clutch moment in basketball history. With just 41.9 seconds remaining and the Chicago Bulls trailing Utah 86-83, they were on the brink of facing a Game 7 on the road. To make matters worse, Scottie Pippen was hampered by a painful back injury. Then Michael Jordan took over. First, he sliced through the defense for a layup, narrowing the gap to one. Then, in a brilliant defensive play, he stole the ball from Karl Malone and confidently brought it upcourt. A quick stutter-step and a crossover move set up a 20-foot jumper, which Jordan released over a sprawling Bryon Russell to give the Bulls the lead. After a timeout, John Stockton had a chance to win the game, but his three-point attempt bounced off the rim, sealing the Bulls' sixth NBA title in eight years. Jordan, who scored an astonishing 45 points, cemented his legacy with that unforgettable shot, which is now etched in history as one of the greatest moments in sports. He was named Finals MVP.
5. Baseball
Shot Heard ‘Round the World
Baseball has moments. Football has drives, basketball has runs, hockey has … well, I’m not entirely sure what hockey has. But one thing I know for sure: Baseball has moments. The kind that build suspense and then, in the blink of an eye, everything shifts. Half a century ago, Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca threw a high, fast ball to Bobby Thomson of the New York Giants. Thomson connected with the ball like a farmer wielding a scythe, sending it flying into the left-field stands at the Polo Grounds. The Dodgers had led 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, with two Giants on base. That’s when 'The Shot Heard `Round the World' was born. The Giants won 5-4, clinching the pennant with a 2-1 series victory. The call of 'The Giants won the pennant. The Giants won the pennant' echoed across history, and October 3, 1951, remains an iconic moment in the annals of baseball.
4. Rugby
2003 Rugby World Cup Final
The 2003 Rugby World Cup Final was a fierce battle between England and Australia. Both teams demonstrated incredible resilience throughout the game. With just moments to spare in the regular time, Australia’s Elton Flatley leveled the score at 14-all with a penalty kick, sending the match into extra time. In the 82nd minute, Jonny Wilkinson responded with a penalty of his own, putting England ahead 14-17. However, Flatley struck back again in the 97th minute with another penalty to bring the score to 17-all. In a dramatic finale, England regained possession following a Mat Rogers kick, and with only 26 seconds remaining, Wilkinson delivered a drop goal to seal the win for England, 17-20. The victory sparked a national celebration on December 8, with hundreds of thousands of fans flooding the streets of London to honor the team. The English players were even invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen, followed by a reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
3. Football/Soccer
1998-1999 Champions League Final
One of football's most unforgettable moments occurred during the 1998-1999 UEFA Champions League final when Manchester United made an extraordinary comeback to defeat Bayern Munich. With United trailing 1-0 in the dying moments of the game, they won a corner just as the fourth official announced three minutes of injury time. In a desperate move to equalize, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel pushed forward into Bayern's penalty area. ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley’s voice echoed: “Can Manchester United score? They always score!” Beckham sent in the corner kick, just clearing Schmeichel’s head. Dwight Yorke flicked the ball back into the crowded penalty area. Thorsten Fink’s failed clearance found Ryan Giggs, who fired a weak right-footed shot. It went directly to Teddy Sheringham, who fired the ball into the bottom corner, leveling the score at 90:36. United had snatched an equalizer in the final moments, forcing extra time, and Tyldesley’s voice rang out with the iconic words, “Name on the trophy!”.
Less than 30 seconds after the game resumed, United won another corner, but this time Schmeichel remained in his own penalty area. Beckham sent in another precise cross, which Sheringham headed downwards. Ole Gunnar Solskjær was quick to react, stretching his foot to poke the ball into the roof of the Bayern goal, giving United a stunning 2-1 lead at 92:17. Solskjær, with exuberant joy, slid on his knees in celebration, imitating Basler’s earlier gesture, before being swarmed by his teammates, substitutes, and coaching staff. Schmeichel, too, joined the celebrations, cartwheeling with delight in his penalty box. Tyldesley’s unforgettable commentary on Solskjær’s goal, “Is this their moment? Beckham… into Sheringham… and Solskjær has won it!” was followed by his iconic declaration, “Manchester United have reached the Promised Land.” The moment was made even sweeter for United, as Bayern Munich had already prepared the trophy with ribbons for the victory ceremony. When Manchester United finally claimed the trophy, Schmeichel, who was playing his last match for the club, and manager Alex Ferguson raised the prestigious cup together.
2. American Football
“The Greatest Game Ever Played”
The 1958 NFL Championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, often called 'The Greatest Game Ever Played,' is a memorable moment in football history. With the clock winding down, Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas orchestrated a dramatic drive, starting from their own 14-yard line. The Colts faced an uphill battle, but Unitas found halfback Lenny Moore for a crucial 11-yard gain. After a couple of misfires, Unitas connected with Raymond Berry on a series of passes that pushed the Colts deep into the Giants' territory. A 25-yard pass to midfield, a 15-yard connection down the sideline, and a 22-yard gain to the Giants' 13-yard line set up the final moments of regulation. With seven seconds remaining, kicker Steve Myhra stepped up and nailed a 20-yard field goal to tie the game, sending it into overtime for the first time in NFL history. The Giants won the coin toss, but were unable to capitalize, punting after a three-and-out. Baltimore took full advantage, meticulously driving 80 yards in 13 plays. The game was decided when fullback Alan Ameche powered through the line for a one-yard touchdown in overtime, giving the Colts a 23-17 win and securing the NFL title. The game not only marked a turning point for the Colts but also helped catapult the NFL to greater popularity. It was a defining moment in the sport's history, leading to the induction of 17 players into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Cricket
Brian Lara’s 375-run innings against England has become a legendary moment in cricket history. A century in one innings is considered a monumental achievement in the sport, but Lara's score of 375 was a record-breaking performance, unmatched at the time. The 5'6" left-handed batsman batted for over 12 hours and faced 537 balls from five English bowlers. His immaculate batting display included 45 fours, and remarkably, he was never in danger of being dismissed, playing through numerous breaks for lunch and tea. The people of Trinidad and Tobago were in a state of celebration, and Lara’s achievement was acknowledged at the highest level, with the nation recognizing the day as a public holiday and offering Lara both praise and prestigious honors.
In the world of cricket, scoring a century is a significant accomplishment, but Lara’s unprecedented 375-run innings against England was something beyond extraordinary. From April 16 to April 18, Lara, the 5'6" left-handed batsman, remained at the crease for over 12 hours, facing 537 balls and hitting 45 boundaries. His innings was flawless, as he didn’t offer a single opportunity for a catch or a dismissal. This remarkable feat of endurance and skill led to widespread celebration across Trinidad and Tobago. As a mark of respect, the Prime Minister attended the ceremony at Port-of-Spain’s Piarco International Airport to honor Lara. The government declared the following day a national Day of Achievement, and Lara was showered with accolades, including Trinidad's highest honor, the Trinity Cross.
