Rene Higuita tries in vain to prevent Cameroon's Roger Milla from scoring in their 1990 World Cup pre-quarterfinals. AFPThe goalkeeper holds a pivotal place in every football team – that of the last line of defence and as the prime initiator of attack.
The FIFA World Cup has seen the heroics of many legendary goalkeepers, but there have also been those who stunned the fans with their daredevilry. Onmanorama picks five of the flashiest goalkeepers to have graced the World Cup finals.
1. Rene Higuita
The Colombian tops the list for his audacity and a uncanny method in madness. There was never a dull moment when Rene Higuita was in the goal. Higuita was an instant hit at Italia 1990 where Colombia made a return to the event after a gap of 28 years. Higuita was the unconventional goalkeeper who loved to attack. But he was made to pay dearly as veteran Cameroon striker Roger Milla snatched the ball away from him and scored the second of his two goals in the pre-quarterfinals. Colombia went down 1-2 after extra time, but Higuita stole the hearts of one and all.
2. Jorge Campos
Jorge Campos makes a save during the group game against Norway at the 1994 World Cup. AFPThis diminutive Jorge Campos guarded the Mexican goal in two World Cups – 1994 and 1998. Lack of height was never a problem for Campos who wore colourful attire designed by himself. He was acrobatic and is widely regarded as one of Mexico's finest goalkeepers. Campos was also a versatile player as he would start in the goal and move up field at the club level.
3. Jose Luis Chilavert
Laurent Blanc fires past Jose Luis Chilavert to take France into the 1998 World Cup quarterfinals. AFPThis eccentric genius appeared for Paraguay in the 1998 and 2002 editions. Jose Luis Chilavert carried the team on his shoulders at France 1998. Just like Higuita, Chilavert loved to attack and was known for his free-kicks. He notched up eight international goals and became the first goalkeeper to take a direct free-kick in the World Cup finals. The burly maverick helped the Latin Americans get past the group stage in 1998, before going down to France in the pre-quarterfinals.
4. Fabien Barthez
French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez pulls off a save during the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. AFPFabien Barthez was part of France's golden generation and played a stellar role in the country's lone World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998. He is also Les Blues' most capped player at World Cup finals with 17 appearances in three editions. While the bald-headed Barthez was capable of pulling off the finest saves and making a hash of the easiest ones at the club level, he raised his game at the quadrennial event.
5. Guillermo Ochoa
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa denies Netherlands' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the pre-quarterfinals of 2014 World Cup. AFPThe Mexican goalkeeper had a stellar outing at the last edition in Brazil in 2014. Guillermo Ochoa's exploits secured his side a goalless draw with Brazil in the group stage and earned him the man-of-the-match award. His attempt to deny Neymar even drew comparisons with Gordon Banks' legendary save off a Pele header in the 1970 World Cup. The head-band wearing Ochoa came up with a brilliant display against the Dutch in the pre-quarterfinals, but Mexico lost 1-2. The 32-year-old would be in action in Russia next month with Mexico slated to play holders Germany, Sweden and South Korea in the group phase.
