June 21 has produced some of the most celebrated moments in world football and NBA history, headlined by what many consider the greatest World Cup Final ever played and two championship-defining performances on the basketball court.
Featured Events
1970 – Brazil Wins the World Cup Final
Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to claim their third World Cup title and permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy. Pele opened the scoring with a header, and captain Carlos Alberto capped the victory with one of the most famous goals in tournament history, finishing a seven-man passing sequence with a thunderous strike into the corner. The win made coach Mario Zagallo the first person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, while Pele became the first three-time winner. The 1970 Brazilian squad is still widely regarded as one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
1988 – James Worthy’s Triple-Double Seals Lakers Repeat
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 108-105 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, becoming the first team since the 1969 Celtics to repeat as champions. James Worthy delivered the only triple-double of his Hall of Fame career (36 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) and was named Finals MVP. Isiah Thomas, who had scored 43 points in Game 6 on a badly sprained ankle, was limited in the second half as his injury stiffened. The victory cemented Worthy’s “Big Game James” legacy and capped the Showtime Lakers’ final championship run.
2012 – LeBron James Wins His First NBA Championship
The Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 in Game 5 to win the series four games to one. LeBron James posted a triple-double (26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists) and was named Finals MVP, ending years of scrutiny about whether he could win a title. Mike Miller went 7-for-8 from three-point range off the bench, and Miami tied the Finals record with 14 three-pointers. Kevin Durant scored 32 for Oklahoma City but could not prevent the closeout.
2015 – Jordan Spieth Wins the U.S. Open at 21
Jordan Spieth won the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, finishing at 5-under 275 to beat Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen by one stroke. At 21, Spieth became the youngest U.S. Open champion in 92 years (since Bobby Jones in 1923) and only the sixth player to win both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same calendar year. He survived a dramatic final stretch, three-putting for double bogey on the 17th before birdieing the 18th to clinch the title.
Additional Notable Events
1997: The Boston Bruins select Joe Thornton first overall at the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh; Patrick Marleau goes second and Roberto Luongo fourth, producing three future Hall of Famers in the first four picks.
1955: Michel Platini, three-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of the greatest European footballers of all time, is born in Joeuf, France.
