‘The Golden Era’: remembering Hungary’s three best major tournament finishes

Sponsored content

While Hungarian football has been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, it would take some doing to reach the level of the mid-20th Century. Here is a look back at that ‘Golden Era’, spread over the course of three memorable major tournaments.

1938 World Cup

In what was only Hungary’s second time competing at the world championships – and the third held in the tournament’s history – the Magyarok nearly went all the way in France 1938. It was the last tournament to use a straight knockout format, consisting of 15 teams after Austria withdrew from the tournament, following their union with Germany soon after tournament qualification was complete.

Unfortunately for Hungary, their qualification for the 2022 World Cup didn’t go to plan as they continue to struggle to live up to other teams in their storied history; they finished fourth in a tough group from which England and Poland emerged. The Three Lions have betting football odds of 8.0 to go on and win the tournament in Qatar, while Poland are among the football predictions from Paddy Power to proceed from Group C. Back in 1938, Hungary certainly didn’t have too many issues reaching the final, as they dispatched the likes of Dutch East Indies 6-0 and Sweden 5-1 on route to the final. Unfortunately for the Magyarok, here they fell to a 4-2 defeat to the holders Italy, despite goals from Pal Titkos and Gyorgy Sarosi.

The complete 2022 World Cup groups.

CAN’T. WAIT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/dDqooEq7zc

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 14, 2022

1964 European Nations’ Cup

Back in Euro 1964, Hungary fell at the second-last hurdle to the hosts of the final tournament, Spain, as covered on the official UEFA site. In the build-up to the last four, Austria, Luxembourg, USSR and Albania received byes to the round of 16, while Hungary defeated Wales by an aggregate score of 4-2. The round of 16 was a thrilling affair, with Hungary’s 2-1 victory in East Germany followed by a 3-3 draw in Budapest amounting to a 5-4 aggregate win.

The quarter-finals were slightly more comfortable, though, with a home and away double over France securing a 5-2 victory to send the Magyarok into the last four, in what was their first-ever European Championships. It would end up leading to heartbreak against the Spanish in the semi-final, however, after a late Ferenc Bene goal had sent the tie to extra-time and increased the hope of the visitors. Amancio’s 112th-minute goal downed the Hungarians, as they went on to win the tournament on home soil.