The losers from the semifinal get one more chance in the spotlight, and for some added fun, I figured I’d throw in a few goals that could’ve made the final bracket but weren’t even nominated.

THE THIRD-PLACE MATCH

Getting 19% of the vote against his most famous World Cup goal, Pelé’s goal in the opening match of the 1962 World Cup against Mexico has still made an exceptional showing to reach the final four.

Up against it is Éder’s goal against the USSR in the first match of the 1982 World Cup, which managed 24% of the vote against That Carlos Alberto Goal.

Once again, we’ll have a full week of voting, with this poll closing next Sunday, August 16.

And now for some fun…

TODAY’S VOTING

Ronaldo vs. Japan (World Cup group stage), 2006

Minute: 81′ Score With Goal: 4-1 Final Score: 4-1

Ronaldo tied Gerd Müller as the greatest World Cup goalscorer of all time with this beauty from outside the box, set up by some silky combination play with center-back Juan of all people.

Ronaldo vs. Turkey (World Cup semifinal), 2002

Minute: 49′ Score With Goal: 1-0 Final Score: 1-0

This is a strange goal because it’s not especially pretty, necessarily, but it’s the product of genius to a greater degree than many goals more traditionally considered classics. Ronaldo does well to beat one defender and get into the box, but surrounded on three sides and with defenders covering any potential square ball for Edílson or Rivaldo, his options are essentially to keep carrying the ball and hope he can get into a position for a stronger shot, or improvise a very tricky shot before anybody would expect him to be in position to do so. A lesser player than Ronaldo—even a truly great one!—might have tried to shoot across goal with the inside of their left foot, or cut back to open up their body for a right-footed curler, but getting the right footing for either one would have used up precious fractions of a second that might’ve let the swarming defenders stop the attempt. Instead, by catching everybody by surprise, Ronaldo sent Brazil to the World Cup final.

Falcão vs. Scotland (World Cup group stage), 1982

Minute: 87′ Score With Goal: 4-1 Final Score: 4-1

There were plenty of sublime goals from the 1982 World Cup that could’ve made the bracket (and four of them did!), but the more I watch this goal, the more I regret not nominating it. There’s just something immensely pleasing about the way the ball is worked around the edge of the box to tee up Falcão, and his delightfully precise first-time shot into the opposite corner of the goal.

Amarildo vs. Czechoslovakia (World Cup final), 1962

Minute: 17′ Score With Goal: 1-1 Final Score: 3-1

Amarildo has been somewhat overshadowed by the likes of Pelé and Garrincha, but he was immense in the 1962 World Cup, particularly in the final, where his trickery beat the Czech defense and snookered goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf to produce an instant equalizer after Brazil had gone behind. Later in the same game, he tied the Czechs in knots once more to set up Zito for the go-ahead goal.

Garrincha vs. Chile (World Cup semifinal), 1962

Minute: 9′ Score With Goal: 1-0 Final Score: 4-2

I’ve mentioned previously that I thought Garrincha was cruelly excluded during the nomination process (even though I was doing much of the nominating, oops), so here’s where we make it up to him. I think the common consensus is that this beautiful first-time strike against Chile is his best World Cup goal, and after scoring in similar fashion with his right foot against England in the quarterfinal, that he did it with his left foot this time is testament to his versatility and unpredictability as a player.

Also, look at the speed he put on that old-timey leather ball! Just compare it to what he managed in his goal against England. That’s some shot power.

Amarildo vs. Spain (World Cup group stage), 1962

Minute: 86′ Score With Goal: 2-1 Final Score: 2-1

Amarildo features again, but this one’s all about the assist from Garrincha, who executes one of the greatest dribbles in Seleção history to leave Adelardo and Sígfrid Gràcia for dead before putting the ball perfectly on Amarildo’s head. I think what I love best about this goal is the ridiculous nonchalant confidence Garrincha shows in straight-up ripping the ball from Didi’s feet in order to go it alone against two defenders. It’s in my top 10 Brazil World Cup goals of all time and I don’t know why I didn’t bring it up during the nomination process.

There’s also some extra significance thanks to the tenuousness of Brazil’s situation. After losing Pelé early in the second group stage match against Czechoslovakia, Brazil had to play with ten men and settle for a scoreless draw, meaning a loss to Spain in their final group stage match could have left them relying on a Czech loss the following day to make it through to the knockout stage. After a shaky start (in which Spain had a couple major calls go against them), this goal completed Brazil’s comeback and secured their place in the next round, helping pave the way to their eventual World Cup triumph.