From Maradona to Mbappe: the best photo from every World Cup

Since Jules Rimet first handed over the World Cup trophy in 1930, the world's most popular sports tournament has delivered a rich visual spectacle

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  1930 World Cup, Uruguay. Jules Rimet, president of Fifa, presents the first World Cup trophy (the Jules Rimet Trophy) to Dr Paul Jude, president of the Uruguayan Football Association, after Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup final in Montevideo. Getty Images

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  1934 World Cup, Italy. The Italian World Cup team carry their manager, Vittorio Pozzo, on their shoulders following their 2-1 victory over Czechoslovakia after extra time in the World Cup final in Rome. Getty Images

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  1938 World Cup, France. In a technically outstanding photograph considering the equipment available at the time, 'Flying' Alfredo Foni of Italy tries in vain to reach a cross during the final against Hungary played in Paris. Italy won the trophy after a 4-2 victory. Getty Images

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  1950 World Cup, Brazil: In what would become an all too familiar site to England's fans, players and officials from their squad arrive back in London after they failed to get past the first stage of the competition. Getty Images

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  1954 World Cup, Switzerland. Officials at the Wankdorf Stadium in Berne measure crowd capacity before the start of the tournament. Getty Images

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  1958 World Cup, Sweden. The Brazil team celebrate their first championship. In a magnanimous gesture, the players ran around the stadium waving the Swedish flag to acknowledge the support they received from the crowd after winning the final against Sweden in Stockholm. Brazil won the match 5-2. Getty Images

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  1962 World Cup, Chile. During the so-called 'Battle of Santiago', English referee Ken Aston sends off Italian player Mario David, while an injured Chilean lies on the ground, during the match between Italy and Chile in Santiago. The match was remarkably violent with two Italians being sent off and another having his nose broken by a punch from a Chilean player. Italy won the match 2-0. Getty Images

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  1966 World Cup, UK. England captain Bobby Moore holds up the Jules Rimet trophy as he is carried on the shoulders of his team-mates after their 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. Getty Images

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  1970 World Cup, Mexico. Brazil's Pele celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the final between Brazil and Italy at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Brazil won the game 4-1. Reuters

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  1974 World Cup, West Germany. Dutch midfielder Johann Cruyff dribbles past Argentinian goalkeeper Daniel Carnevali on his way to scoring a goal during the World Cup quarter final match between the Netherlands and Argentina on in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Cruyff scored two goals to help the Netherlands defeat Argentina 4-0, but the team went on to lose the final 2-1 to the hosts West Germany. AFP

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  1978 World Cup, Argentina. Scottish footballer Archie Gemmill scores against the Netherlands in Group 4 in the first round of the tournament. In a surprise result, Scotland beat the much fancied Netherlands 3-2. The cup was eventually won by hosts Argentina. Getty Images

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  1982 World Cup, Spain. A prowling Diego Maradona of Argentina is confronted by a posse of bewildered Belgium defenders during their match at the World Cup in Spain. Argentina were knocked out of the tournament after losing to Brazil and Italy, the latter beating West Germany in the final to seal the trophy. Getty Images

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  1986 World Cup, Mexico. Argentina's Diego Maradona handles the ball past Peter Shilton of England to score the so-called 'Hand of God' goal, during the quarter final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy. Getty Images

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  1990 World Cup, Italy. Paul Gascoigne of England is brought to tears after receiving a yellow card in the semi-final against West Germany. Had England not lost in a penalty shootout, the card would have forced Gascoigne to miss playing in the final due to the suspension it caused. Instead, West Germany beat Argentina in the final. Getty Images

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  1994 World Cup, US. Roberto Baggio of Italy misses the decisive penalty as Brazilian goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel falls to his knees and raises his arms in victory as Brazil wins the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Getty Images

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  1998 World Cup, France. Brazilian number 10 Bebeto comforts number 9 Ronaldo after Brazil's 3-0 defeat to the hosts France during the 1998 Word Cup final in Paris. Getty Images

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  2002 World Cup, Japan and South Korea. England's David Beckham celebrates after his corner led to the first goal during the England v Sweden Group F game in Japan. The game was drawn 1 - 1 in a tournament that saw Brazil win their record-breaking fifth World Cup. Getty Images

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  2006 World Cup, Germany. Italy's Marco Materazzi falls on the pitch after being head-butted by France's Zinedine Zidane in a moment of madness during Zidane's final game for France, the 2006 final. Zidane was sent off for the act and Italy went on to win 5-3 on penalties. Reuters

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  2010 World Cup, South Africa. Spain's Andres Iniesta lifts the World Cup trophy after their win against the Netherlands at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Getty Images

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  2014 World Cup, Brazil. An emotional Brazil fan reacts after watching his team lose to Germany 7-1 in the semi-final against Germany, made worse by being on home turf at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. Germany went on to win their fourth World Cup. Getty Images

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  2018 World Cup, Russia. France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the trophy after his side's victory over Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Getty Images

The World Cup has been delivering spectacular moments for almost 100 years, ever since the nations of the world first competed for football’s most prestigious prize in 1930.

From Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ goal against England to the bloody ‘Battle of Santiago’, in which three players were sent off and a player’s nose was broken, the tournament has never been short on thrills.

Fortunately, photographers have been at hand to capture some of the most iconic and controversial moments over the years.

Scroll through the gallery above to see our choice of the best photo from each of the 21 World Cups.

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