The Women’s World Cup has had its fair share of incredible moments over the past twenty-years giving us pure moments of joy, anguish, and heartbreak. Here are the top ten moments from the past seven tournaments.

10.) England beats Germany on a penalty (2015)

England doesn’t have the best of luck against Germany, in penalties, at any World Cup. Yet the Lionesses proved their mettle in the third place game in Canada, fending off the German attack for 90 minutes before sealing the result in extra time via a Fara Williams goal. After losing in heartbreaking fashion to Japan in the semis the English women’s team showed that they can compete with anyone.

9.) Hooper hammers home winner (2003)

Charmaine Hooper became an instant legend in Canadian soccer in 2003 when here bullet of a shot in the seventh minute saw The Reds past China. Hooper, who would go on to be inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, had a lengthy career for Canada making 128 appearances and scoring 71 goals. But her strike against China was the most important as it is the first and only time a Canadian side has made it to the semifinals.

8.) Germany blanks Marta, goes perfect (2007)

Only one team has ever won a World Cup and never conceded a goal: Germany in 2007. Die Nationalelf did not give up a single goal during the Group Stage nor their two knockout round matches. But the final was a different test against Marta of Brazil, who had scored seven goals and would eventually win the Golden Ball award. Despite facing a barrage of shots the German defense held firm earning another clean sheet and a World Cup title.

7.) Kelly kisses the boot (2007)

Kelly Smith of England is regarded to be one of the greatest goalscorers in English Women’s Football history, having scored 46 goals for the Lionesses. Her finest moment came at the 2007 World Cup where she scored twice in the final ten minutes to put her side ahead 2-1 against Japan. After the second goal she took off one of her shoes and gave it a kiss, giving new meaning to the term Golden Boot. 

6.)  Kunzer’s Golden Goal (2003)

Football’s golden goal experiment with extra-time lasted from about 1993 to 2006 and although it produced some interesting moments it was never needed in a World Cup final save for one. In the 2003 Women’s World Cup Final Germany and Sweden were locked in a tight 1-1 battle for 90 minutes. In extra-time Nia Kunzer headed home a free kick opportunity to give Germany the title and to earn the distinction of being the only player to score a Golden Goal in a World Cup.

5.) Akers becomes instant legend (1991)

The first Women’s World Cup doesn’t quite get the credit it deserves due to the scant coverage at the time and the lack of video available of it. But if there is one player whose contributions stick out from it is Michelle Akers of the United States. Akers became an instant celebrity after scoring twice in the World Cup final to give the United States the 2-1 victory. She scored 11 goals in the tournament, a record that still stands to this day. 

4.) Super Falcons soar over North Korea (1999)

Prior to the 1999 World Cup no African side had ever won a match at the Women’s World Cup, let alone advance to the knockout stage. But that year the Super Falcons of Nigeria put the continent on the map in women’s football, shocking North Korea 2-1 in their opening match in Group Play. While they were bested by the United States in their second match, they came out swinging against Denmark earning the 2-0 victory and a spot in the knockout stage. 

3.) Lloyd scores first-ever hat trick in World Cup Final (2015)

Going into the 2015 World Cup Final between Japan and the United States  the prevailing thought was that it would be a close game with maybe a goal separating the two. Carli Lloyd crushed any notions of that occurring, scoring three goals and adding two assist in a wild 5-2 win for the United States. 

2.) Japan outlasts the United States in penalties (2011)

Japan had throughout the 2011 World Cup relied heavily on their defense. In the final though they needed their attacking players to step up. Against a potent United States side the Nadeshiko found their scoring stroke, getting two goals from Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama to force penalties. Miyama came in huge during pks scoring Japan’s first goal and leading them to a 3-2 result during the final frame. 

1. Chastain lifts U.S.A. over China (1999) 

While Chastain’s goal in penalties has lived in on memory mostly through her post-match celebration what makes the moment so special are the circumstances. Over 90,185 people were in attendance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for the match with an estimated 13 million people watching the game on television in the United States with millions more watching abroad. The game itself, a tightly contested 0-0 match that went  5-4 in the U.S.’ favor in penalties was the perfect way to show what the women’s game could do. 

*Cover Photo by Jeff Wong.