Women's World Cup: 51 most memorable moments
The FIFA Women's World Cup has produced some of the most iconic moments in soccer history since its establishment in 1991.
In the lead-up to this year's tournament, which will be broadcast on FOX Networks starting July 20, we're counting down the 51 most memorable moments of the Women's World Cup.
51. Wambach's final World Cup goal
No player in U.S. Soccer history has scored more goals at the World Cup than Abby Wambach. Her 14th and final goal at the tournament in 2015 secured the United States the top spot in Group D.
Abby Wambach's Swan Song: No. 51 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
A goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time put Cameroon through to the knockout stage of the Women's World Cup for the second time in its history.
Cameroon Shocks the Ferns: No. 50 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Kyah Simon's goal in the 80th minute sent Brazil home from the 2015 World Cup and Australia through to the knockout stage.
Matildas stuns Brazil: No. 49 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
48. Amandine Henry's wonder strike
Amandine Henry's reputation for scoring big goals in big games started at the 2015 World Cup, where she was awarded the Silver Ball as the tournament's second-best player.
Amandine Henry's Wonder Strike: No. 48 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
No keeper? No problem for the United States, which played its star forward Mia Hamm at goalkeeper for the final five minutes of its group stage match against China in the 1995 World Cup.
Mia Hamm Makes History: No. 47 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Not only was Alberta Sackey's curler against Ghana her first-ever World Cup goal, it gave Ghana its first and only World Cup win.
Alberta Sackey's Wonder Goal No. 46 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
It took less than five minutes for Fabienne Humm to score a hat-trick in Swizterland's World Cup debut.
Fastest Hat-Trick in History: No. 45 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Not only was Lieke Martens' curler her first-ever World Cup goal, it was the Netherlands' first-ever goal at the World Cup.
Oranjeleeuwinnen, Lieke Martens Roar: No. 44 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Ri Un-uk's long-range effort wasn't the difference between a win and a loss for North Korea, but it did help its goal differential, which is what ultimately pushed it through to the knockout stage of the 2007 Women's World Cup.
Ri Un Suk's stunner for North Korea: No. 43 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Cindy Parlow Cone's header was the United States' sixth goal in its 7-1 rout of Nigeria at the 1999 World Cup.
Cindy Parlow Cone's Header: No. 42 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
The United States women's national team won the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.
The One That Started It All: No. 41 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
The United States lifted the Women's World Cup for the third time at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
Red, White & Blue Domination: No. 40 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
39. Oh my, O'Reilly!
Heather O'Reilly opened the scoring for the U.S. in its 3-0 win over Colombia in the group stage of the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
Heather O'Reilly's Emphatic Strike: No. 39 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
38. Sinclair bends it with broken nose
Broken nose? No problem for Canada's Christine Sinclair.
Christine Sinclair's Broken Nose: No. 38 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
37. Alex Morgan's first of many
Before Alex Morgan was the U.S. Soccer legend she is today, she was the youngest player on the United States' roster at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, trying to establish herself the world's biggest stage.
Alex Morgan's First of Many: No. 37 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
36. Marie Hammarstrom hammers it
It's safe to say Marie Hammarstrom will never forget her first goal for Sweden.
Marie Hammarstrom's Wonder Strike: No. 36 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Sam Kerr became the first-ever Australian player — man or woman — to score a hat-trick when the Matildas beat Jamaica in its group stage-opener at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
Sam Kerr Records Aussie Hat-Trick: No. 35 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
No one picked No. 25-ranked Colombia to beat No. 5-ranked France at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, but that's exactly what it did.
Colombia Shocks France: No. 34 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
33. Australia knocks out Canada
Australia qualified for its first Women's World Cup in 1995, but it wasn't able to advance to the knockout stage in any of its first three tries, going 0-2-7. In 2007, that changed.
Matildas Make History: No. 33 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
32. Ellyse Perry's set piece stunner
Australia showed the important of practicing set pieces on the training ground in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
Ellyse Perry's Quarterfinal Stunner: No. 32 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
It's safe to say the United States wasn't expecting Ingrid Johansson to shoot the ball from nearly 40 yards out.
Ingrid Johansson shocks USA: No. 31 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
England earned its first-ever Women's World Cup knockout stage win in 2015 thanks to a stunner of a goal from Lucy Bronze.
Lucy Bronze, England Make History: No. 30 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
29. Sun Wen's golden performance
China's Sun Wen was the star of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Sun Wen's Golden Performance: No. 29 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
28. Hooper's heroics
Charmaine Hooper scored 71 goals during her illustrious international career with Canada — all pale in comparison to the one she scored against China at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States.
Hooper's Heroics For Canada: No. 28 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
27. Kelly Smith's shoe celebration
Goal celebrations are a fun part of soccer's history, and Kelly Smith's celebration at the 2007 World Cup is up there with the best of them.
Kelly Smith's Shoe Celebration: No. 27 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
26. 99ers crash out
While the United States has experienced triumph at the Women's World Cup more than any other team, its also had its moment of failure, such as the 2003 World Cup.
99ers Crash Out: No. 26 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Marta can add "world's greatest motivational speaker" to her long list of accolades.
Marta's Speech For Next Generation: No. 25 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
24. Akers wins first Golden Boot
If the 1991 Women's World Cup belonged to anyone, it was the United States' Michelle Akers, who scored 10 goals at the inaugural tournament.
Akers Wins First Golden Boot: No. 24 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
23. The Golden Girl
Birgit Prinz won the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the 2003 Women's World Cup.
Birgit Prinz Sets Scoring Streak Record: No. 23 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Japan was absolutely unplayable at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, and there's no better example of that than the goal the team goal they scored against the Netherlands in the round of 16.
Japan's Magical Team Goal: No. 22| Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
21. Sissi calls game
Brazil had settled its round of 16 matchup against Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States — until it hadn't.
Sissi Calls Game: No. 21 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
England was just seconds away from lining up for extra time against Japan in the 2015 Women's World Cup semifinal — then Laura Bassett's worst nightmare came true.
Laura Bassett's Own Goal: No. 20 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
19. Marta breaks all-time goals record
As of 2019, no one has scored more goals at the World Cup than Brazil's Marta.
Marta Breaks the All-Time Record: No. 19 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
18. Brandi Chastain's redemption
Brandi Chastain scored two goals for the United States in the 1999 Women's World Cup quarterfinal, including an own goal that could have been costly.
Chastain's Redemption: No. 18 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Group stage matches don't get much better than the one Sweden and Germany played at the second edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1995.
Sweden's Epic Comeback: No. 17 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Japan played giant slayer against Germany in the 2011 Women's World Cup quarterfinals.
Japan Shocks Germany: No. 16 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
The United States' dynasty nearly ended before it started at the 2015 Women's World Cup.
Hope Solo's Big Stop: No. 15 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup
The rivalry between the United States and Norway started at the 1995 Women's World Cup.
A Rivalry is Born: No. 14 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
13. Marta arrives
Brazil's Marta put on a show at the 2007 Women's World Cup and established herself as a global superstar.
Marta Arrives: No. 13 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
It took just 17 minutes for Mia Hamm to put the host United States on the board at the 1999 Women's World Cup.
Mia Hamm Opens USA 99: No. 12 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Germany didn't concede a single goal during its back-to-back Women's World Cup run in 2007.
Germany Goes Back-To-Back: No. 11 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
Alex Morgan had a 30th birthday to remember at the 2019 Women's World Cup.
Alex Morgan's Tea Party & Naeher's Save: No. 10 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
9. Kristine Lilly saves the 99ers
Kristine Lilly's clutch clearance kept China from beating the United States in the 1999 Women's World Cup final.
Lilly Off The Line: No. 9 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
The last golden goal ever scored at the World Cup was a meaningful one for Germany.
The Final Golden Goal: No. 8 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup Histoy
7. Marta's Brazil dances around the U.S.
It's hard to imagine the four-time World Cup champion United States women's national team getting out-classed on soccer's biggest stage, but that's exactly what happened at the 2007 Women's World Cup in China.
Brazil, Marta Roll Past The US: No. 7 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup Histoy
6. USA wins the first World Cup
The 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup wasn't just the first World Cup the United States won; it was also the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup.
USA Wins The First: No. 6 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
The United States women's national team won its fourth Women's World Cup in 2019, and its first-ever back-to-back titles at the quadrennial tournament.
USA Goes Back-To-Back: No. 5 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
4. Carli Lloyd, hat-trick hero
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final between the United States and Japan had a lopsided score of 5-2, and Carli Lloyd was a big reason for that.
Carli Lloyd's Hat Trick: No. 4 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
3. Japan beats USA in thrilling final
Japan made history in 2011, when it beat the United States to become the fourth-ever country to win the FIFA Women's World Cup.
A Win For All of Japan: No. 3 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
2. Wambach sends it to penalties
It's hard to pick which was more impressive about the United States' goal vs. Brazil in the 2011 Women's World Cup quarterfinals: Megan Rapinoe's cross or Abby Wambach's header.
Wambach at the Final Whistle: No. 2 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
1. USA's '99ers become legends
Brandi Chastain sealed the fate of the ‘99ers in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
The 99ers become legends: No. 1 | Most Memorable Moments in Women's World Cup History
This story will be updated every day until the countdown ends on July 20.
