1954 World Cup Switzerland Review
West Germany Shock Hungary In Miracle Of Berne
West Germany pulled off one the biggest upsets in World Cup history by coming back from a two-goal deficit in Switzerland to beat title favorites Hungary 3-2 for their first world championship - in what in Germany is called the "Miracle of Berne".
Return To Old Format
After having a four-team mini-league tournament instead of semi-finals and final in 1950, the World Cup organizers went back to the semi-finals/final system. The tournament ran from June 16-July 4, 1954.
Hungary Overwhelming Favorites
Very rarely does one team enter a World Cup as big a favorite as Hungary, who won the 1952 Olympics among 23 wins and four draws in the past four years including a 6-3 drubbing of England in November 1953, becoming the first foreign team to win at Wembley. Gusztav Sebes's team played attacking-style football featuring top star Ferenc Puskas, fellow forwards Sandor Kocsis and Nandor Hidegkuti and midfielder Jozsef Bozsik. In one of their final warm-ups for the World Cup, Hungary thrashed England 7-1 in Budapest.
Torching Start To World Cup
Hungary did not slow down once arriving in Switzerland, as Kocsis scored a hat-trick while Puskas and Peter Palotas both scored twice in Hungary's 9-0 opening Group 2 victory over Korea DPR. Kocsis added four more goals and Hidegkuti struck twice in Hungary's second game, an 8-3 victory over West Germany to advanced to the quarterfinals.
Germans Beat Turkey Again To Reach Quarters
German head coach Sepp Herberger opened their tournament with a 4-1 victory over Turkey, who had gone ahead after two minutes before the Germans took control. Turkey then beat Korea DPR 7-0 on a hat-trick by Sargun Burhan and two scores by Mamat Suat to reach the decider against the Germans. West Germany jumped ahead 2-0 after 12 minutes against Turkey and then scored four goals in 19 minutes in the second half as Herberger's men beat Turkey 7-2 to reach the quarters on the strength of Max Morlock's hat-trick.
Uruguay, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Austria, England, Swiss Advance
The defending champions Uruguay beat Czechoslovakia 2-0 and Scotland 2-0 to reach the quarters from Group 3 along with Austria - 5-0 and 1-0 winners of Czechoslovakia and Scotland, respectively. Brazil and Yugoslavia both advanced from Group 1. England took Group 4 honors after a draw against Belgium and 2-0 win over Switzerland. The Swiss reached the final eight with two victories over Italy - 2-1 and then 4-1.
Hungary, West Germany, Austria, England Into Semis
Germany beat Yugoslavia 2-0 to reach the semifinals and a showdown against neighbors Austria, who were part of a historic quarterfinal against Switzerland. The Swiss led 3-0 after 19 minutes but allowed five goals within 10 minutes in the first half before Austria won 7-5, setting a record for most goals in a game at 12. The other semifinal would see Uruguay take on Hungary. The Hungarians jumped ahead 2-0 after seven minutes and ended up winning 4-2 with Golden Shoe winner Kocsis hitting two of his 11 goals. But the match was marred by three red cards as well as a post-match brawl in the locker rooms. And Uruguay knocked off England 4-2.
West Germany, Hungary Reach Re-Match
West Germany had no problem in the semis with Austria with Walter brothers Fritz and Ottmar each scoring two goals in a 6-1 victory. Hungary led Uruguay 2-0 until Juan Holberg scored twice in the final quarter-hour to force extra time. And Kocsis struck two headers within five minutes for a 4-2 victory for the Hungarians.
German Comeback For The Ages
The Hungarian "Magical Magyars" came into the final in Berne's Wankdorf stadium with a 31-match unbeaten streak. And Hungary had the perfect start to the game Puskas hitting after just six minutes. The lead was 2-0 just two minutes later as German keeper Toni Turek lost the ball at Zoltan Czibor's feet. But the West Germans had leveled by the 18th minute on goals by Morlock and Helmut Rahn. Rain started to downpour in the second half to slow down play and Rahn struck into the far left corner with six minutes remaining, giving birth to a new world power.
Highest Scoring Tournament
The Hungarians did a huge part in making the 1954 World Cup the highest scoring tournament all-time with a 5.4 goals per match average. The 140 goals scored was the record until 1994 when 141 goals were scored in 52 matches compared to 26 in 1954.
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