On this day, in 1954, the World Cup was held in Switzerland and the favourites were the Mighty Magyars, Hungary. The Magyars were hot from an 8-3 victory over West Germany (in those days there were two "German" sides-East and West!) in a Group match. The odds of them becoming World Champions were shortened. On July 4th Hungary met West Germany in the Final played in the Wankdorf Stadium in Berne. The injured Ferenc Puskas and Zoltan Czibor gave Hungary an early lead but the Germans fought back culminating in an 84th minute winner from Hehmut Rahn. West Germany had won their first World Cup Final in the match named the "Miracle of Berne".The weather was terrible, with rain and wind, but both nations displayed no fear and played some of the best football in World Cup history.
The two nations had met before, in Pool Two, which Hungary won 8-3! BUT the German coach, Sepp Herberger (left), fielded a weakened side for this tie. The German coach was much criticised!! Hungary expected to win the trophy overall, and the Germans were not even seeded! The Magyars started confidently bouyed by their "pool" victory. Puskas, carrying an injury, was known as the Galloping Major (also probably the Galloping Magyar!?) but insisted on playing and he scored in the early minutes. Czibor then followed up a mistake back pass, by the German Kohlmeyer, so The Magyars were two up after only eight minutes. Ten minutes later, the German, Morlock reduced the gap following a pass from Schafer and then the Hungarian keeper, Grosics fumbled in the 18th minute which allowed Rahn to equalise from a corner. Hungarian, Hidegkuti hit the post, Kocsis (who totalled 11 goals in the tournament including a hat trick against South Korea) hit the bar and Kohlmeyer cleared a shot off the line with the German, Turek making amzing saves in the goal. Six minutes from the end, Rahn picked up a half-hearted clearance by the Hungarian defender, Lantos. Rahn raced down the line and on the edge of the penalty area, shot low past the diving keeper. Two minutes left, Puskas received a Toth pass and put the ball into the German net, but the Welsh Linesman, Mervyn Griffiths held his flag up for offside, against Puskas! It was close call by all accounts and a decision much debated after! At full time the hot favourites, Hungary, lost their first international in 30 matches, dating back to May 1950. West Germany became the first "unseeded" nation to win the World Cup and German coach, Sepp Herberger, received much praise for his guidance! (see reference to him earlier!!)
No comments:
Post a Comment