They are the last line of defence, the guardians of the goal, capable of producing moments of breathtaking athleticism that deny certain goals and change the course of matches. Goalkeepers at the World Cup operate under immense pressure, where a single save can elevate them to national hero status, while an error can lead to eternal infamy. Throughout history, certain saves have transcended mere competence; they are moments of magic, defiance, and sheer brilliance etched into World Cup legends.

From impossible reflex stops and acrobatic dives to crucial penalty saves in high-stakes shootouts, these moments showcase the unique artistry and importance of the goalkeeper. They are the saves that fans still talk about decades later, the ones that made jaws drop and commentators scream.

Here are 15 saves that cemented goalkeepers as World Cup legends:

1. Gordon Banks vs. Pelé (England vs. Brazil, 1970 World Cup)

The Save: Widely regarded as the “Save of the Century.” Pelé powered a header down towards the bottom corner. England keeper Gordon Banks, scrambling across his goal, somehow managed to dive low and flick the bouncing ball up and over the bar with his fingertips. An astonishing display of reflexes and agility against the world’s greatest player.

2. Rene Higuita’s “Scorpion Kick” Save (Colombia vs. England, 1995 – Friendly, but iconic)

The Save: Okay, technically not at a World Cup finals, but so iconic it deserves mention as it defines Higuita’s World Cup persona. Facing a looping cross-shot from Jamie Redknapp at Wembley, the eccentric Colombian goalkeeper famously arched his back, flicked both heels up behind his head, and cleared the ball with a “Scorpion Kick.” Audacious, unnecessary, unforgettable.

3. Gianluigi Buffon vs. Zinedine Zidane (Italy vs. France, 2006 World Cup Final)

The Save: In extra time of the World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane met a cross with a powerful, goal-bound header. Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon reacted instinctively, throwing a strong right hand up to tip the ball over the bar, keeping Italy level. A crucial save in a final Italy would eventually win on penalties.

4. Iker Casillas vs. Arjen Robben (Spain vs. Netherlands, 2010 World Cup Final)

The Save: With the final scoreless in the second half, Dutch winger Arjen Robben raced clean through on goal. Spanish captain Iker Casillas stood his ground, spread himself, and managed to divert Robben’s low shot wide with the trailing studs of his right boot. A vital save that kept Spain in the game, allowing Iniesta to score the winner later.

5. Jim Montgomery vs. Leeds United (Sunderland vs. Leeds, 1973 FA Cup Final – Domestic, but legendary)

The Save(s): Another non-World Cup save, but frequently cited among the greatest ever. Montgomery first parried a close-range header from Trevor Cherry, then, while still grounded, somehow reacted to deflect Peter Lorimer’s powerful follow-up shot onto the crossbar and away. A scarcely believable double save.

6. Guillermo Ochoa vs. Brazil (Mexico vs. Brazil, World Cup 2014)

The Save(s): Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa put in a heroic performance to earn a 0-0 draw against hosts Brazil. His most spectacular save was a full-stretch dive to claw Neymar’s powerful header away from the goal line, reminiscent of Banks’ save against Pelé. He made several other key stops in a Man of the Match display.

7. Tim Howard vs. Belgium (USA vs. Belgium, 2014)

The Save(s): Although the USA lost in extra time, American goalkeeper Tim Howard set a World Cup record with 16 saves in a single match. He produced a string of incredible stops throughout the Round of 16 clash, single-handedly keeping the USA in the contest against relentless Belgian attacks. A truly monumental individual performance.

8. Sepp Maier vs. Netherlands (West Germany vs. Netherlands, 1974 Final)

The Save: In the final, with West Germany leading 2-1, Dutch star Johan Neeskens unleashed a fierce long-range shot destined for the top corner. German keeper Sepp Maier launched himself airborne, twisting to make a spectacular one-handed save, preserving the lead that secured the trophy.

9. Oliver Kahn vs. Republic of Ireland (Germany vs. Ireland, 2002)

The Save: While Germany eventually conceded a late equalizer, Kahn (the tournament’s Golden Ball winner) made numerous crucial saves. One standout was a point-blank reflex save to deny Damien Duff, spreading himself brilliantly to block the shot after a goalmouth scramble.

10. Sergio Goycochea’s Penalty Shootout Heroics (Argentina, 1990)

The Saves: Argentina’s backup keeper Goycochea became a national hero after replacing the injured Nery Pumpido. He saved crucial penalties in both the quarter-final shootout against Yugoslavia and the semi-final shootout against hosts Italy, showcasing incredible nerve and agility under pressure to carry Argentina to the final.

11. Harald Schumacher vs. France (West Germany vs. France, 1982 Semi-Final)

The Saves: Despite his infamous collision with Battiston earlier in the match, Schumacher proved decisive in the penalty shootout. He saved two French penalties (from Didier Six and Maxime Bossis), securing West Germany’s place in the final after a dramatic 3-3 draw.

12. Emiliano Martínez vs. Randal Kolo Muani (Argentina vs. France, 2022 Final)

The Save: In the 123rd minute, with the score 3-3, French forward Kolo Muani was clean through on goal. Argentinian keeper Martínez made himself huge and produced an astonishing save with his outstretched left leg, denying France a certain winner in the dying seconds. He then saved penalties in the shootout, capping a heroic final performance.

13. Rinat Dasayev vs. Brazil (Soviet Union vs. Brazil, 1982)

The Save: Soviet goalkeeper Dasayev made several fine saves in this classic encounter. One memorable stop involved diving low to his right to push away a powerful, swerving shot from Brazilian midfielder Falcão, showcasing great reflexes against the tournament favourites.

14. Brad Friedel vs. South Korea (USA vs. South Korea, 2002)

The Save: In a tense group stage match against the co-hosts, American keeper Brad Friedel saved a crucial first-half penalty from Lee Eul-yong, diving correctly to push the ball away. This save helped the USA secure a vital point in a hostile environment.

15. Keylor Navas vs. Greece (Costa Rica vs. Greece, 2014)

The Save: Costa Rican goalkeeper Navas was outstanding throughout their fairytale run to the quarter-finals. In the Round of 16 penalty shootout against Greece, his decisive save against Theofanis Gekas, diving strongly to his left, secured Costa Rica’s passage to the next round, sparking wild celebrations.

These moments of goalkeeping brilliance remind us that preventing goals can be just as spectacular and important as scoring them, cementing these keepers’ places in World Cup history.

Sources:

• Banks vs. Pelé: FIFA.com, Wikipedia (Gordon Banks)
• Higuita Scorpion Kick: YouTube clips, Guardian articles
• Buffon vs. Zidane: FIFA.com (2006 Final highlights), Wikipedia (Gianluigi Buffon)
• Casillas vs. Robben: FIFA.com (2010 Final highlights), Wikipedia (Iker Casillas)
• Montgomery Double Save: YouTube clips, BBC Sport articles
• Ochoa vs. Brazil: FIFA.com (2014 Match report), BBC Sport
• Howard vs. Belgium: FIFA.com (2014 Match report), ESPN
• Maier vs. Netherlands: FIFA.com (1974 Final highlights), Wikipedia (Sepp Maier)
• Kahn vs. Ireland: FIFA.com (2002 Match report), Wikipedia (Oliver Kahn)
• Goycochea Penalties: FIFA.com (1990 Tournament review), Wikipedia (Sergio Goycochea)
• Schumacher Penalties: FIFA.com (1982 Semi-final report), Wikipedia (Harald Schumacher)
• Martínez vs. Kolo Muani: FIFA.com (2022 Final report), Numerous news articles
• Dasayev vs. Brazil: YouTube clips (1982 highlights), Wikipedia (Rinat Dasayev)
• Friedel vs. South Korea: FIFA.com (2002 Match report), Wikipedia (Brad Friedel)
• Navas vs. Greece: FIFA.com (2014 Match report), Wikipedia (Keylor Navas)
• General Lists: Bleacher Report, Squawka, FourFourTwo (Best Saves articles)