8 June 2026

Free-kicks hold a special place in football, blending skill, strength, and precision to create some of the sport’s most memorable moments. In the long and storied history of the FIFA World Cup, only three players have managed to score more than one goal directly from free-kicks during the tournament.

One of those players was Rivellino, a crucial figure in Brazil’s triumphant 1970 squad, a team often hailed as the greatest in World Cup history. The Brazilians lifted their third world title in Mexico, with Rivellino contributing three goals over the course of the competition.

His spectacular free-kick against Czechoslovakia earned him the nickname “Patada Atómica” (Atomic Kick) from the Mexican supporters, a tribute to the sheer power of his strikes.

France’s Bernard Genghini also etched his name into World Cup history books, scoring six goals for Les Bleus, including two from free-kicks during the 1982 World Cup. His set-piece goals came against Kuwait and Austria, helping France reach the semi-finals that year.

Genghini later played a key role in the French squad that captured the 1984 European Championship on home soil, marking France’s first-ever major international title.

David Beckham’s reputation was built in large part on his mastery of free-kicks, a skill so iconic that it inspired the early 2000s film ‘Bend It Like Beckham.’

During the 1998 World Cup, Beckham’s superb free-kick against Colombia propelled England into the knockout rounds, although his campaign ended in disappointment following a red card in the last-16 defeat to Argentina.

Beckham’s story came full circle as he led England as captain in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. His unforgettable free-kick against Greece sealed England’s qualification for the 2002 finals, and during that tournament, he once again delivered when it mattered most—scoring the only goal in England’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 16.

See more – The biggest wins in FIFA World Cup history