Probably the most famous image from the 1990 World Cup was Three Lions' star midfielder Paul Gascoigne in tears.

Gazza was booked in the semi-final against Germany, meaning he would miss the final if England got there.

He realised the significance immediately struggled to hold back tears as the game went on around him.

Gary Lineker was famously caught on camera pointing to his eyes after turning to the England bench, urging manager Bobby Robson to "have a word".

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The correct term may be re-born, rather than born, but we take your point. Puccini's aria, sung by Luciano Pavarotti, was used for BBC TV's opening credits and certainly struck a chord with viewers...

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As we leave the chaos of the 80s behind, we step into a decade of football where football got serious.

Italia 90 saw West Germany avenge their 1986 final defeat to Argentina when they won the final 1-0 thanks to an 85th minute penalty.

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Brazil secured their fourth World Cup title when the tournament headed Stateside for the first time in 1994.

A Selecao team featuring the likes of Aldair, Dunga, Bebeto and Romario beat Italy 3-2 on penalties - the first World Cup final to be settled by a penalty shootout.

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A Zinedine Zidane-inspired France were victorious on home soil in 1998, sealing a maiden World Cup title with a convincing final win over holders Brazil.

The build-up to the final was dominated by doubts over the availability of Brazil star Ronaldo, who had blazed a trail at the tournament with a series of explosive performances.

He was eventually passed fit for the Paris showdown but was a shadow of the player who had terrified defences throughout the competition.

As it was, another global superstar stole the show, with Zidane scoring twice in a 3-0 win.

"The first World Cup that makes sense is always your favourite" - discuss.

It seems that age 10, or thereabouts, is the age we were for the World Cup we remember most fondly.

I was 11 in 1986 and do have a soft-spot for that tournament, but then again, I was 15 in 1990, bewitched by the Manchester music scene - cue New Order and World In Motion - and absolutely in awe of Gazza, David Platt and John Barnes' rap.

The football may not have been the best, but didn't Italia 1990 have it all?

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England's World Cup hopes being dashed in the knockout stages is a common theme that may have started in 1970 but continues to this day - the 1980s were no exception.

This was an era of mullets, muddy pitches and when Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net. He was also pretty good at running it into the net as well.

Before the 1986 tournament, Italy won their third World Cup title in 1982, and first since 1938.

Striker Paulo Rossi became his nation’s talisman at the tournament when he hit a hat-trick in a famous 3-2 second-round group-stage victory over Brazil.

The red-hot Rossi then bagged a brace as Italy saw off Poland 2-0 in the last four, before scoring the opener in a 3-1 win against West Germany in the final in Madrid.

The 1986 tournament arrived, and so did Maradona.

His two goals in Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final win over England showcased his skill, control and balance with his feet... and hands.

Maradona also hit a double in the last-four win over Belgium, before Argentina finished the job in the final, although England's Gary Lineker would win the Golden Boot with six goals for the tournament.

Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in final that sealed Maradona’s tournament and his legendary status.

Nothing hurts more than seeing your World Cup dreams dashed aged 10 - sadly, generations of football fans still 10-year-old at heart share your pain, Tim

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Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team is widely revered as one of the greatest ever to grace the game.

As well as the irrepressible Pele, Brazil’s line-up also featured world-class talents such as Carlos Alberto, Gerson, Tostao, Rivellino and Jairzinho.

In the final clash at Azteca Stadium, Brazil delivered perhaps the most complete performance in World Cup history, overwhelming their esteemed opponents 4-1 in front of a crowd of more than 100,000.

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West Germany won their second World Cup in 1974, coming from behind to beat the Netherlands in a compelling Munich final.

The 1974 final also featured the new World Cup trophy for the first time, which was lifted by German captain Franz Beckenbauer (updated).

Argentina also thrilled their fanatical home support to win their maiden World Cup in 1978.

The great Mario Kempes inspired their triumph, scoring six goals to take home the tournament's Golden Boot.

But the goal of the tournament? There were plenty of long-range stunners to choose from but I will refer you to Jeff from Southport for the correct answer...

The only time England ever hosted the World Cup just so happens to be the only time they have won it.

In a memorable final, the Three Lions beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium, with Geoff Hurst becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final. That record stood until Kylian Mbappe did the same in the last final, at Qatar 2022.

West Germany took the lead after 12 minutes and, after Hurst had levelled six minutes later, Martin Peters put England ahead. Wolfgang Weber equalised with just a minute to go, forcing extra time.

Hurst scored a controversial goal in the 101st minute, with debates over whether it crossed the line continuing into the 21st century.

There was no doubt about his third and England's fourth, however, as the West Ham striker fired into the top corner as fans ran on to the pitch to begin their celebrations early.

The story remains etched on the nation's collective soul some 60 years later...

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Brazil retained the trophy four years after their first success in 1958, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final in Santiago, the capital of Chile.

Pele was injured in the second match of the tournament, making it all the more impressive that the holders were able to go on and win the tournament again.

Amarildo, Zito and Vava all scored in the final.

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Enter stage left another South American World Cup hero - one Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

Brazil defeated the hosts Sweden 5-2 to win the World Cup for the first time in 1958 as a rising star better known as Pele became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final (17 years and 249 days). He actually scored two that day.

Brazil banished the memories of 1950, while this stands as Sweden's best-ever finish at the tournament.

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I could swear Diego Maradona did something else in this game that was all together more noteworthy, but it seems punching the ball past Peter Shilton is the thing some people remember most fondly...

Hosted at the Wankdorf Stadium in Switzerland, the 1954 final is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Hungary had defeated West Germany 8-3 in the group stage and went 2-0 up within the first eight minutes of the final.

West Germany were level by the 18th minute, however, and Helmut Rahn completed the turnaround in the 84th minute, clinching West Germany their first-ever World Cup.

It was also the first time the tournament had been won by anyone other than Uruguay or Italy.

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No World Cup tournament took place between 1938 and 1950 due to World War II.

In 1950, it returned, being hosted in Brazil...leading to a moment that would go down as one of the most harrowing moments in the country's World Cup history.

It followed a new format, with the winner being determined by a final group stage of four teams who played one another in a round-robin.

Going into the final game, Uruguay had to win, while Brazil only needed to avoid defeat to be crowned World Cup champions. Spain and Sweden were too far behind to be in the running, so this match is considered the 'final'.

Uruguay came back from a goal down to beat Brazil 2-1, with Alcides Ghiggia scoring the winner 11 minutes from time to give them their second World Cup.

Better times were just around the corner for Brazil though...

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What happened in 1966?

Only yoking, we're coming to that Jackie, don't worry.

Pele and Maradona will be covered as well.

But what else should we focus on?

We will let you decide. Just click 'Get Involved' and make your case.

You have 1,000 games to choose from. So many memories, so little time!