On This Day – June 18: Football Milestones and Iconic Player Birthdays

Historic Football Events on June 18

1978 – Argentina Reaches World Cup Final on Home Soil Argentina thrashed Peru 6-0 in a controversial second-round match, ensuring their place in the 1978 World Cup final. Mario Kempes scored twice, helping Argentina top the group on goal difference.
1994 – Maradona’s Final World Cup Goal Diego Maradona scored in Argentina’s 4-0 win over Greece during their opening match of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It was his last international goal before being dismissed from the tournament after a failed drug test.
2002 – South Korea Stuns Spain in Shootout Co-hosts South Korea defeated Spain in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final via penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. It marked the first time an Asian team reached the semi-finals of a World Cup.
2016 – Iceland Holds Portugal at Euro 2016 In their first-ever major tournament, Iceland drew 1-1 with Portugal in the Euro 2016 group stage. The result was a shock for Portugal and a proud moment for the Icelandic underdogs.
2018 – Senegal Beats Poland in Russia Senegal opened their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Poland. They became the first African team to win a match at that tournament, thanks to a dynamic display of counter-attacking football.
2006 – Brazil Edges Past Australia Goals from Adriano and Fred helped Brazil to a 2-0 win over Australia in the group stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, continuing their unbeaten streak in World Cup group play.

Fabio Capello (1946) – Italian coach and former midfielder who won domestic titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Roma, and managed England’s national team.
Thiago Motta (1982) – Italian-Brazilian midfielder, known for his play at Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, now a rising manager.
Christian Pulisic (1998) – American winger, dubbed “Captain America,” known for his agility and influence with Chelsea and the USMNT.
Richard Dunne (1979) – Irish central defender with over 400 Premier League appearances, notably with Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Joshua Kimmich (1995) – German international and Bayern Munich star, valued for his versatility as both a full-back and central midfielder.
Dirk Kuyt (1980) – Dutch forward known for his work ethic and crucial goals for Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

South Korea’s Historic Win (2002): After surviving extra time against Spain, South Korea triumphed in the penalty shootout. It was a monumental moment in Asian football history, as fans erupted in celebration across the nation.
Maradona’s Roar (1994): After scoring a brilliant goal against Greece, Maradona’s intense celebration into the camera became iconic—later overshadowed by his doping scandal that ended his World Cup journey days later.
Iceland’s Fairytale Begins (2016): Against all odds, Iceland matched Portugal, with disciplined defense and passionate support. Their campaign would eventually take them to the quarter-finals, becoming one of the tournament’s biggest stories.

Who was the first American male player to score in both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup?

Answer: Christian Pulisic.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.” — Pelé