How last minute goals in World Cup matches scored Brits free holidays this summer

It’s said that the best things in life happen at the last minute. In football, it’s those heart-racing moments near the end of a game where everything can change. In fact, these unpredictable, final-second triumphs trigger a rush in our brains that we naturally find incredibly joyful, rewarding and unforgettable, according to research published by Neuron.

Throughout this year’s tournament across America, last minute goals provided the ultimate source of drama and euphoria. And that’s why holiday creators lastminute.com launched a new campaign where last minute goals could be transformed into discounts on booked holidays, and even landed some Brits a free one. 

© Callum Galloway

How so, we hear you ask? Well, whenever a dramatic goal was scored in the final moments of a match – at the 90+ or 120+ minute marks – a competition was launched on lastminute.com’s Instagram page to win a holiday giveaway up to £1,500. 

© Rafael Peier

A total of 31 goals were scored in the 90th minute or beyond (stoppage time) during this year's World Cup, setting an all-time tournament record for late goals. That includes Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute winner for Spain in extra time during the final against Argentina.

What you missed with lastminute.com’s match day giveaways

To live up to its name, lastminute.com turned the drama of last minute goals into travel rewards. Whenever a late goal hit the back of the net, the brand launched a quick Instagram giveaway offering followers money off their next getaway, or even a chance to win a free trip.

© Eugene Zhyvchik

The prizes included a £1,500 holiday giveaway to spend however you like, which, in plenty of cases, equals an entire trip for four. Plus, there was a cool £50 off voucher for those who spent £750 on site up until the end of the tournament on 19 July 2026. The destinations range from Malta and Turkey to the Algarve and Tenerife. 

Good news: you don’t pack away your passport just yet if you missed these giveaways. Whether you're chasing last minute sunshine or planning a quick weekend escape, there's still loads of discounts and deals to be score in summer 2026.

Discover the latest summer deals and exclusive holiday discounts today at lastminute.com.

Lastminute.com is not an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup.