Best moments of 2026 World Cup ranked: From England in Mexico to Lionel Messi heroics and Cape Verde dream run

The 2026 World Cup has delivered some truly outstanding moments, and we are only at the quarter-final stage.

Ahead of the tournament, there were fears over empty stadiums and delays, while certain fanbases and even a referee were denied entry.

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That rightly led to some not really looking forward to what should be the greatest event on earth.

And despite Donald Trump interfering with a red card for Folarin Balogun, the football has risen above it all to deliver in a big way.

All of the star players have turned up with a fierce race on for the Golden Boot between Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane on, while the expanded tournament has introduced us to some unforgettable underdog stories.

Legends have been born, just look at Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha, who now has millions of social media followers after some heroic performances for his nation.

But how do you pick the best moments?

Well, talkSPORT’s very own Gabby Agbonlahor has given it a go.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast with Jeff Stelling, he was asked to name his top moments of the World Cup so far, so without further ado, here they are.

Worthy of a mention

Gabby specifically listed four big moments, but he and Stelling reeled off a few others as well.

Here are some of those other moments.

Kane’s winner

Don’t worry, there is plenty more England to come later on (there couldn’t not be), but one of the moments that Stelling feels has gone under the radar is Kane’s winner against DR Congo.

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The England captain had headed the Three Lions level against the African side, but with extra time looming, Anthony Gordon found the striker on the edge of the box.

He took a touch that sent him away from goal, and no one was expecting him to have a shot.

But from just inside the box and off balance, Kane wrapped his right boot around an effort that rocketed into the roof of the net, sending England into the round of 16.

Speaking about the goal, Stelling said: “I just want to mention one other England moment that has been almost forgotten, but it enabled us to play Mexico, and that was Kane’s winning goal against DR Congo.

“We had been dreadful during the course of the game, really.

“Kane took it by the scruff of the neck, and what a brilliant goal that was.”

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Agbonlahor added: “Do you know what was crazy about that finish? He’s facing the wrong way.

“To get that whip on it and the height on it… there aren’t many strikers in the world that could finish like that from there – incredible.

“Even the Congo defence didn’t expect him to score from there because of the positioning of his body.

“I was thinking he should pass it out wide and get in the box.

“But that is what Kane has been doing all season, there is a reason why he’s scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich, and we are going to need him.”

Tartan Army

So, Scotland‘s on-pitch displays were largely ineffective, with Steve Clarke seeming to have the handbrake on at all times.

They scored just one goal against Haiti and barely had a shot on target in the other two matches.

But despite their team’s woes, the Tartan Army had a great time.

Wherever, they went, they brought banter, kilts and bagpipes and seemed to just love every minute of it.

The women of Boston, in particular, fell in love with the Scots (trust me, it is all over social media).

Our very own Shebahn Aherne also brought the party wherever she went, it’s just a shame the team didn’t bring the performances.

And the fans, Agbonlahor said: “Some of the clips going through Ocean Drive in Miami were like a scene out of Braveheart – it was incredible. Their fans did the country proud.”

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Messi hat-trick

Messi has shone for Argentina, and he started proceedings with a hat-trick in the opening game.

The magic man blasted in three goals past Algeria to announce his arrival on the world stage once more.

And he hasn’t let up from there as Argentina look to make it back-to-back World Cup victories.

4. England at The Azteca

England produced one of their all-time great performances to beat Mexico at The Azteca in Mexico City in the round of 16.

Leading into the game, there was talk about altitude and atmosphere and Mexico’s record.

But Thomas Tuchel‘s men stormed into a two-goal lead thanks to a quickfire Jude Bellingham double.

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The hosts pulled one back and Jarell Quansah was sent off before Kane stepped up from the spot to make it 3-1.

He then gave away a penalty that Raul Jimenez scored, and it was a truly horrible final 30 minutes for those of an England persuasion.

But England battled like lions to ensure they made it into the quarter-finals.

After the final whistle, the squad sang Oasis hit ‘Wonderwall’ with the supporters lucky enough to be in the ground on an unforgettable evening,

On that, Agbonlahor said: “I am not biased at all, but I am going to go with the England win over Mexico.

“Just everything about it. The performance being down to ten men was heroic.

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“I didn’t think the Mexicans would put our songs on, but I like that way they did that.”

The scenes after with both sets of fans mixing were also incredible, and it was a very special night to support the Three Lions.

3. Sidny Lopes Cabral

Cape Verde are featured later on in this list as well, but how could anyone forget this moment of genius?

Cape Verde took Argentina to extra time only to narrowly lose 3-2 in a game for the ages.

In extra time, Lisandro Martinez whipped a strike into the top corner, and it looked as if the holders would cruise through.

But left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral had other ideas as he cut in from the left, and from the corner of the box bent an outstanding shot into the top corner.

It is the goal of the tournament so far and a moment that Cabral will never forget.

He has only just joined Turkish side Trabzonspor, but if he keeps scoring goals like that, he will be at a bigger club before too long.

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On that moment of magic, Agbonlahor said: “I have to go with the Cape Verde screamer against Argentina.

“It was a fantastic goal. Even to try a shot from there… If he hits that over, he would have been told off by his teammates for giving the ball back to Argentina, so to even try it was fantastic.”

2. Vozinha

Before the tournament, there were very few people who had heard of Vozinha.

The 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper was probably expecting to be picking the ball out of the net a few times.

Instead, after a heroic performance in a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain, everyone knew his name.

He made seven saves before gaining millions of Instagram followers. He is now sitting on over 20 million.

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On Vozinha’s heroics, Agbonlahor said: “I’ve gone with the Cape Verde goalkeeper’s performance against Spain. Some incredible saves.

“It was an incredible point for them.”

Messi also made a point to speak to Vozinha after Argentina knocked them out, and Agbonlahor believes that is a moment that will be with him forever, adding: “Imagine getting to tell your kids and grandkids that. It’s just incredible.”

1. Curacao draw Ecuador

This one might be surprising, and it definitely slipped under the radar, but after being thrashed 7-1 by Germany, they held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw.

The South American side had a team that contained Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie as well as two-time Champions League winner William Pacho.

But the Curacao goalkeeper made history.

Eloy Room, the 37-year-old shot-stopper saved 15 efforts at goal from Ecuador.

It means his name is in the record books as the joint-most saves in World Cup history.

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So, for these minnows on their World Cup debut, it was pretty special, and for that reason, Gabby has it as number one.

He said: “Number one, I have to give it to Curacao for getting a draw against Ecuador.

“They have a population of 170,000, so it was an incredible achievement.”

And that is your lot, but these will all be surpassed when England lift that magnificent trophy a week on Sunday (hopefully).