| The 1954 World Cup final between Hungary and West Germany has
been dubbed the Miracle of Berne and is a milestone in the history
of post-war Germany. But the semi-final between Hungary, the best
team in the world at that time, and defending champions Uruguay
was the most exciting game of the tournament. And this despite both
teams being without a key player – Ferenc Puskas for Hungary,
Obdulio Varela for Uruguay.
Uruguay came from 2-0 down to take the game into extra-time. Hungary
scored early through left-winger Zoltan Czibor's volley, then Nandor
Hidegkuti added another with a diving header. Juan Hohberg, a naturalised
Argentinian, then hit back twice, though he was knocked unconscious
as team-mates celebrated his second goal.
Juan Schiaffino hit a post for Uruguay in extra-time and the South
Americans were to experience further bad luck when defender Victor
Andrade was injured and forced to the sidelines for treatment. Sandor
Kocsis took advantage to score the first of two headed goals that
took Hungary into the final.
Uruguay had not previously lost a World Cup game. "We beat
the best team we have ever met," said Hungary coach Gyula Mandi.
Line-ups
Hungary: Grosics - Buzanszky, Lantos, Bozsik -
Lorant, Zakarias - Budai, Kocsis, Hidegkuti, Czibor, Palotas.
Goals: Czibor 12, Hidegkuti 47, Kocsis 109, 117.
Uruguay: Maspoli - Martinez, Santamaria, Andrade
- Carballo, Cruz - Souto, Ambrois, Hohberg, Schiaffino, Borges.
Goals: Hohberg 76, 87.
Referee: Griffiths (Wales).
Att: 37,000. |
