Hernan Medford, Costa Rica vs Sweden, 1990
Costa Rica needed to win their final group game against Sweden to be assured of a spot in the last 16. The already-eliminated Sweden took the lead in the 32nd minute. At the hour-mark, Medford came on as a substitute, replacing midfielder Roger Gomez. Costa Rica equalized in the 75th minute thanks to skipper Roger Flores. In the 87th minute, Flores headed a kick from Swedish keeper Tomas Ravelli towards Medford.
The 21-year old received the pass and raced through the Swedish defence, to score the winner and send Costa Rica into the last 16.
Victor Esparrago, Uruguay vs Soviet Union, 1970
During the 103rd minute, Esparrago came on to play, replacing Dagoberto Fontes. With only two minutes left, Uruguay skipper Luis Ubinas sent a long ball from the right flank which was fought by Soviet skipper Albert Shesternyov and Uruguay’s Julio Cesar Castillo. The ball nearly went outside when Atilio Ancheta got the ball and passed it towards Esparrago, who headed past the running Soviet goalie Anzor Kavazashvili. Uruguay won the match 1-0 and were surprisingly through to the semi-finals
Mario Goetze, Germany vs Argentina 2014 final
In the final against Argentina, Gotze was on the bench before replacing Miroslav Klose in the 88th minute. During the substitution, Klose told him, “Show the world you are better than Messi and can decide the World Cup.”
The match proceeded into extra time after both teams were locked in a stalemate after full-time. With only 7 minutes to go in extra-time, Gotze chested Andre Schurrle’s cross before volleying it past Argentine goalie Sergio Romero to win the World Cup for Germany.