As the voice of football on ITV, Clive Tyldesley needs no introduction. And if he did need one, we'd probably get him to do it.
Since taking over from the legendary Brian Moore as ITV's main commentator in 1998, Tydesley has covered every top football event imaginable, including three World Cup finals.
Given that pedigree, we were delighted to be able discover his top 5 World Cup moments, to continue our weekly series.
Read on for memories from the '66, '70, '74, '86 and 2010 World Cups.
Listen to Clive during ITV's coverage of the World Cup this summer
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1. Tofiq Bahramov says ‘da’
"Probably the most dramatic moment in World Cup history. When the 1966 World Cup final linesman from Azerbaijan nodded his head and pointed towards the centre spot, he began an argument that has raged on ever since, and which even 21st century technology cannot settle. Did Sir Geoff Hurst’s shot cross the line? Tofiq said ‘da’."
2. The Perfect Goal
"The 1970 Brazil World Cup winners are the team whose showreel I would want to take to a desert island with me. Their beautiful sense of theatre created the perfect finale to their tournament with Carlos Alberto’s 4th goal in the final. Clodoaldo’s slalom dribble past four Italians in his own half is totally outrageous."
3. The Zaire number 2
"The true wonder of the World Cup is the way it has thrown alien football cultures together. North Korea seemed like a team from another planet when they came to England in ’66, but the World Cup clip I will never tire of is the Zaire number 2 getting fed up waiting for a Brazilian free-kick in 1974 and just stepping out of the wall and booting the ball away. The ‘what?’ look he gives the ref when the card comes out is classic – ‘ave it’."
4. Maradona’s Foot of God
"Yes, I hate him for that first goal in ’86, but just 3 minutes later it was almost as if Diego Maradona thought to himself, “and before you start moaning forever and a day about me handling the ball, I can do this too.” (“pretty much when and how I want”.) Peter Reid’s initial attempt to chase him is something you can only smile about now. The greatest individual goal I’ve ever seen."
5. Tears in Soccer City
"The most wonderful World Cup moment I have experienced personally was the entrance of Nelson Mandela before the 2010 final. His fragile health was a worrying undercurrent to a tournament during which I learnt so much more about his impact on the lives of all South Africans, black and white. I was lucky enough to meet Graca Machel in the week of the final, and to see her riding out onto the pitch alongside her waving husband reduced me immediately to tears of joy. No World Cup footballer has ever done that."
(Images: Getty)
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