20 Game-Changing Plays That Made Sports History
These 20 unforgettable plays didn’t just decide games — they changed the course of sports history.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
Some moments in sports become etched into the fabric of history. These plays altered careers, inspired nations, and defined legacies. From miracle shots to impossible comebacks, here are the 20 most game-changing plays the sports world will never forget.
20. Lionel Messi’s Final Goal – 2022 World Cup Final
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In extra time against France, Messi poked in what looked to be the winner. The celebration was pure adrenaline. Though France equalized again, this moment lit up the world.
19. Tom Brady’s 28-3 Comeback – Super Bowl LI
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Down 25 points, Brady engineered the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. He made clutch passes, icy drives, and overtime glory. The one memorable play was the Edelman catch.
18. Simone Biles’ Triple-Double – 2019 U.S. Championships
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Biles landed a triple-twisting double backflip — the first woman ever to do it in competition. Fans and judges were floored. It was athleticism at an alien level.
17. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 NBA Playoffs
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Miller stunned the Knicks by hitting two threes and stealing an inbound pass to score again. He dismantled New York in under 10 seconds. The Garden was silenced.
16. Megan Rapinoe’s Free Kick Goal – 2019 World Cup
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From the edge of the box, Rapinoe curled in a rocket against France. It silenced the home crowd and put the U.S. on track to the title — it was confidence under pressure.
15. “Hail Maryland” – Commanders vs. Bears, 2024 NFL Regular Season
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With the clock expiring, Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels launched a desperate Hail Mary from his own 35-yard line. The ball was tipped at the goal line by Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and miraculously caught by wide receiver Noah Brown in the end zone, securing an 18–15 victory for the Commanders.
14. Michael Phelps’ Fingertip Finish – 2008 Olympics
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In the 100m butterfly, Phelps touched the wall 0.01 seconds ahead. The replay showed sheer determination. That win helped him achieve eight gold medals in the Olympics.
13. The Minneapolis Miracle – 2018 NFL Playoffs
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Stefon Diggs caught a sideline bomb, stayed in bounds, and sprinted for the walk-off touchdown. Saints fans were stunned. It was sudden, shocking, and perfect.
12. Kawhi Leonard’s Buzzer-Beater – 2019 NBA Playoffs
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Leonard’s shot against the Sixers bounced four times on the rim before falling. The entire arena held its breath. Then, it dropped — pure magic. It was the first-ever Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history.
11. Serena Williams’ Comeback at 2012 Olympics
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In a flawless run, Serena dominated top competition and crushed Maria Sharapova in the final. That one play was her gold-medal clinching ace. It showed power and poise at its peak.
10. Usain Bolt’s 100m Record – 2009 World Championships
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Bolt obliterated his own world record, looking over his shoulder before finishing in 9.58 seconds. It was speed, confidence, and swagger in one motion. No one’s come close since.
9. David Tyree’s Helmet Catch – Super Bowl XLII
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Tyree trapped the football against his helmet in mid-air, keeping the Giants’ final drive alive. It was improbable, impossible, and iconic.
8. LeBron James’ “The Block” – 2016 NBA Finals Game 7
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Chasing down Andre Iguodala, LeBron delivered a game-saving swat. It shifted the momentum and helped bring Cleveland its first title. Timing, power, and will in one play. It was a defining moment in King James’ career.
7. Kirk Gibson’s Walk-Off HR – 1988 World Series Game 1
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Injured and limping, Gibson came off the bench and crushed a walk-off homer. He could barely run the bases, but he did with fists raised. It was pure guts and drama.
6. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” – 1986 World Cup
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Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal against England stirred global controversy. The audacity, the disguise — it was both genius and infamy. Moments later, he’d score “The Goal of the Century.”
5. Tiger Woods’ Chip-In at the 2005 Masters
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From deep rough on the 16th hole, Woods chipped the ball in slow motion, perfectly breaking toward the cup. The crowd erupted. The Nike logo paused before dropping — it was almost scripted.
4. Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl Interception – 2015
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With the game on the line, Butler jumped a goal-line slant to seal the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX win. It was the ultimate “why didn’t they run it?” moment. One read, one play, and a championship was won.
3. Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” – 1972 NFL Playoffs
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A deflected pass bounced toward the turf, then Harris snatched it and ran for the score. The Steelers’ miracle catch became NFL folklore. It was debated for decades and remembered forever.
2. Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” – 1989 NBA Playoffs
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With seconds left, MJ soared and drained a jumper over Craig Ehlo to beat the Cavs at the buzzer. It was a defining moment in his rise to greatness. It was pure poetry under pressure.
1. The “Miracle on Ice” – USA vs. USSR, 1980 Olympics
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A scrappy group of American amateurs stunned the world by defeating the seemingly invincible Soviet hockey team. The photo of players leaping in disbelief is legendary. It wasn’t just a win — it was a Cold War statement.