Major Historical Events in Football
1958 – Pelé signs first professional contract with Santos At just 17 years old, Pelé signed his first senior contract with Santos FC. It marked the beginning of one of the most iconic careers in football history.
1986 – Diego Maradona voted FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner Following his legendary performances at the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona was officially awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. His goals against England and Belgium became instant classics.
1998 – France advances to World Cup final on home soil France defeated Croatia 2–1 in the semi-final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Lilian Thuram scored twice—his only two international goals—to send Les Bleus to their first-ever World Cup final.
2014 – Argentina defeats Netherlands on penalties In a tense semi-final match, Argentina beat the Netherlands 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the 2014 World Cup. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero made two saves to secure Argentina’s place in the final.
2021 – England reaches first major final since 1966 England beat Denmark 2–1 after extra time in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley. Harry Kane scored the winning goal on the rebound after his penalty was saved, sending England to their first major final in 55 years.
Notable Football Birthdays – July 6
- Gianluca Vialli (1964–2023): Italian forward and manager, Champions League winner and Euro 2020 coach.
- Paolo Di Canio (1968): Fiery Italian striker known for his time with Lazio, West Ham, and Sheffield Wednesday.
- Rafael van der Vaart (1983): Dutch midfielder who played for Ajax, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur.
- Edinson Flores (1994): Peruvian winger with appearances in multiple Copa América tournaments.
- Jozy Altidore (1989): American striker with over 100 caps and success in MLS and Europe.
- Carlos Pavón (1973): Honduran legend and all-time leading goal scorer for the national team.
- Bobby Boswell (1983): Former U.S. defender, MLS veteran with over 350 appearances.
Memorable Moments
England’s breakthrough at Wembley (2021): After decades of near-misses, England finally reached a major final thanks to an extra-time winner against Denmark in front of a home crowd.
Romero’s heroics (2014): In a match defined by discipline and nerves, Argentina’s goalkeeper Sergio Romero became a national hero by saving two penalties to send his team to the final.
Maradona’s crowning moment (1986): Having inspired Argentina with match-winning performances throughout the tournament, Diego Maradona received the Golden Ball on this day, solidifying his legend.
Trivia of the Day
Which outfield player scored the only two international goals of his career in a World Cup semi-final? Answer: Lilian Thuram (France vs. Croatia, 1998)
Quote of the Day
“When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.” — Diego Maradona