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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered a host of unforgettable moments — from underdog triumphs and dramatic comebacks to Germany’s unexpected penalty heartbreak.

With only eight fixtures remaining, it’s safe to say that, at least in terms of on-field drama, this tournament could go down as one of the finest in recent memory.

Here’s a look, in no particular order, at the ten best matches of the tournament so far.

Some may argue that a goalless draw doesn’t belong on a list of great matches, yet the context surrounding Cape Verde’s opening game against Spain makes it worthy of celebration.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, whose name translates to “little grandmother,” made a stunning World Cup debut, pulling off a series of extraordinary saves that earned the newcomers a precious point against the reigning European champions. That vital result played a huge part in helping them advance from a group that also included two former World Cup winners and Saudi Arabia. A truly remarkable debut.

This next match might not have been the most technically brilliant, but it produced an iconic moment that will forever be etched in DR Congo’s history.

Yoane Wissa’s towering header in the penalty area secured DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal — a moment of pure joy. Achieving it against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, made the 1-1 draw all the more special and unforgettable.

Few group-stage encounters matched the intensity of England’s clash with Croatia in Group L, a pulsating affair that swung back and forth before England finally took control.

Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford found the net in the second half to secure victory for England, but the first half’s four-goal exchange, with Croatia twice equalising, provided genuine entertainment for neutral fans.

Heading into the decisive Group encounter between Algeria and Austria, many expected a tame draw that would see both teams progress. They were half right.

While the game did end level, it was a six-goal thriller rather than a dull stalemate. When Riyad Mahrez struck in the 93rd minute to put Algeria 3-2 ahead, Austria looked doomed — until Sasa Kalajdzic’s dramatic stoppage-time header three minutes later ensured both sides advanced to the round of 32. A thrilling finish to an unpredictable contest.

There’s an old saying: football is a simple game — 22 players chase a ball for 90 minutes, and in the end, the Germans always win. But that hasn’t been true lately.

Paraguay managed to break that myth, holding Germany through normal and extra time before triumphing in a tense penalty shootout.

Germany’s spot-kick efficiency deserted them, and when Jonathan Tah blasted his effort high into the stands, the South Americans sealed a famous victory. It was a rare and memorable upset — a true collector’s item.

Senegal looked comfortable and Belgium seemed lost. But football has a way of creating miracles.

After Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr put Senegal 2-0 ahead, few would have predicted a comeback. Yet Belgium refused to surrender, clawing back two goals in the final five minutes through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time.

Tielemans then converted a penalty in the 125th minute, breaking Senegal’s hearts and sending Belgium through to face the USA in the round of 16 – a match that proved far less eventful.

When Portugal faced Croatia in Toronto, it was billed as the last dance for two giants of the game — Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

Veteran winger Ivan Perisic opened the scoring in what became a gripping end-to-end affair. Both teams had goals disallowed for offside and struck the woodwork, making it a contest that could have gone either way.

Ultimately, it was Goncalo Ramos’ header that clinched victory for Portugal, though the real controversy came at the other end. Josko Gvardiol thought he had levelled for Croatia, but VAR ruled the goal out after determining that Igor Matanovic’s hair had brushed the ball before Mario Pasalic’s assist, rendering the play offside. A harsh decision that ended a captivating encounter.

When Lionel Messi lofted a delicate ball over the defence and slotted it past Vozinha, it appeared Argentina were cruising towards a routine victory over Cape Verde.

However, the debutants refused to give in, producing a courageous, spirited display that nearly shocked the world champions.

The standout moment came from Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose stunning strike from the edge of the box almost forced penalties. Though Argentina eventually edged through, Cape Verde’s determination captured global admiration. They may not have won a match, but they certainly won hearts — and proved the expanded World Cup can deliver genuine underdog magic.

England’s round-of-16 clash against Mexico in Mexico City carried warnings — the altitude, the heat, and the intense home crowd. Yet England started brightly, with Jude Bellingham scoring his second goal to make it 2-0 by the 38th minute.

Moments later, the match turned chaotic. By the 54th minute, England were reduced to ten men, and the scoreline tightened to 2-1. A penalty each pushed it to 3-2 before Thomas Tuchel introduced his secret weapon: Daniel Johnson Burn. The towering defender from Blyth repelled every cross with commanding headers, helping England withstand wave after wave of Mexican attacks to secure the win.

It was a performance of grit and unity, celebrated across England as fans poured out of pubs at dawn, singing and rejoicing despite the looming workday ahead.

Argentina’s title defence has been anything but smooth. After scraping past Cape Verde, they faced an even sterner test against Egypt, trailing 2-0 with just 11 minutes left — and Messi having missed yet another penalty, his second of the tournament.

Somehow, the world champions rallied, scoring three late goals to complete a dramatic turnaround without even needing extra time. Egypt’s players accused the referee of bias, but in truth, they had their chances and let them slip. It was chaotic, emotional, and utterly gripping — a World Cup classic in every sense.