swag said:
If I may be so crass as to pick something from very recent memory, the Czech Republic - Holland 3-2 match in the group stage of Euro 2004 was superb.
That match was absolutely amazing indeed. Also, from a more biased point of view, the United States - Portugal match at the World Cup in Korea was particulary thrilling, despite the 6:30 am EST kickoff. Obviously we won the match 3-2.
Italy - Holland of 2000 certainly deserves a mention, as well as the Champions League Final this past season.
Another one of my favorite matches of all time, however not being so much of a football spectacle, was a UEFA Cup match four or so years ago between Valencia and Internazionale at the Mestalla. It was a second leg match in which Inter were winning on aggregate, made all three substitutions, and Toldo recieved a red card for wasting time. Nobody knew what do and there was confusion as to who would be placed in goal because Inter had no subsitutions left.
All of a sudden the TV camera goes to a shot of a disgruntled Francisco Farinos seemingly irate with other players around him, waiving his arms in the air. Next thing you see is the little Farinos walking out on the pitch seemingly wearing a dress and putting on Toldo's gloves. For the last ten minutes of the match, Farinos had to play goal and keep the ball out of the net for Inter to progress.
He was successful despite complete madness in front of him and in the stands, and made some brilliant saves for a player who is only about 5 foot 8. It was one of the most thrilling endings to a match I have seen...unbelievable suspense.