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Historic Football Events on June 28
- 1994 – Russia’s Oleg Salenko Scores 5 Goals in One World Cup Match Oleg Salenko made World Cup history by scoring five goals in Russia’s 6-1 win over Cameroon at USA ’94. It remains the record for the most goals scored by a single player in a World Cup match.
- 1994 – Roger Milla Becomes Oldest World Cup Goal Scorer On the same day, Cameroonian legend Roger Milla scored at age 42, becoming the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup. His goal was a lone highlight in their heavy defeat to Russia.
- 1998 – Croatia Eliminates Romania, Advances to Quarter-Finals Davor Šuker’s first-half penalty was enough to send Croatia past Romania 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup. Croatia would go on to reach the semi-finals in their debut World Cup appearance.
- 2010 – Netherlands End Slovakia’s Dream Run The Netherlands defeated Slovakia 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup, ending Slovakia’s impressive first-ever World Cup run. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored the goals.
- 2014 – Netherlands Stun Mexico with Late Comeback The Dutch came from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Goals from Wesley Sneijder and a controversial stoppage-time penalty by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar completed the turnaround.
- 2021 – France Knocked Out by Switzerland in Euro 2020 Classic France were eliminated by Switzerland in the Round of 16 after a 3-3 draw and a dramatic penalty shootout. Kylian Mbappé missed the decisive spot kick. Switzerland’s win was one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Notable Football Birthdays on June 28
- Felipe Melo (1983) – Brazilian defensive midfielder known for his combative style, played in Serie A, La Liga, and for the national team at the 2010 World Cup.
- Lukáš Hrádecký (1989) – Finnish goalkeeper and national team captain, known for his leadership and consistent performances at Bayer Leverkusen.
- Giuseppe Rossi (1987) – Talented Italian-American forward who had a promising career hindered by injury, with standout spells at Villarreal and Fiorentina.
- Bruno Alves (1981) – Portuguese center-back who won Euro 2016 and earned over 90 caps for Portugal with his tough, physical defending.
- Éver Banega (1988) – Argentine midfielder with flair and vision, part of Sevilla’s Europa League triumphs and Argentina’s Copa América squads.
- Harry Toffolo (1995) – English left-back with Championship and Premier League experience, known for his attacking runs.
Memorable Moments
- Salenko’s Record (1994): Scoring five goals in a single World Cup match remains unmatched. Despite Russia’s early exit, Salenko won the Golden Boot alongside Hristo Stoichkov.
- France’s Shock Exit (2021): Leading 3-1 with 15 minutes to go, France collapsed as Switzerland equalized and eventually won on penalties. The upset showcased the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
- Netherlands’ Dramatic Comeback (2014): In sweltering conditions in Fortaleza, the Dutch overcame a late deficit to stun Mexico. Arjen Robben’s controversial fall for the winning penalty remains a hot topic in World Cup history.
Trivia of the Day
Who holds the record for most goals scored in a single World Cup match?
Answer: Oleg Salenko, with 5 goals for Russia against Cameroon in 1994.
Quote of the Day
“In football, the worst blindness is only seeing the ball.” — Nelson Falcão Rodrigues