The Magical Magyars embarked on one of football’s most remarkable streaks, only to fall short in the Miracle of Bern
The Wankdorf Stadium in Bern was getting a soaking, but the sun was shining on Hungary’s brightest generation. Gusztáv Sebes’s side had not lost since May 1950 – an undefeated international streak that would not be surpassed until 1993 – and here they were, with 63,800 increasingly sodden souls watching on from the open terraces, cruising to victory in the 1954 World Cup final. Their four matches en route had brought a faintly ludicrous 25 goals: South Korea hammered 9-0 and West Germany taken apart 8-3 in the group stage, Brazil swept aside 4-2 in a brutal quarter-final and Uruguay, the holders, edged out by the same score after extra-time in a semi-final for the ages.
West Germany, the tournament’s surprise package, were lined up to go under the steamroller again in the final and their fear seemed palpable in the opening 10 minutes. Werner Liebrich played the ball straight to József Bozsik 40 yards from his own goal. Bozsik fed Sándor Kocsis, whose shot deflected off a defender and fell to Ferenc Puskás, who crashed the ball home. Two minutes later, Werner Kohlmeyer and goalkeeper Toni Turek appeared overwhelmed by panic as Kocsis pressed, allowing Zoltán Czibor to scoot in from the right and prod the ball into the empty net. Two-nil, eight minutes gone.
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⚽️ 27 goals in one World Cup
⚽️ An average of 5.4 per match
Hungary tore up the #WorldCup record books in 1954 with their groundbreaking style and dazzling attack of Hidegkuti, Kocsis & Puskas pic.twitter.com/0NJ9ytgmFh
Related: World Cup stunning moments: the Miracle of Bern
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